Amidst Vast Change - Perspective, Focus and the Big Picture
Stepping back is sometimes helpful, particularly in the midst of significant change.
Not suggesting any particular outcome, but simply that we need to look at the
big picture and gain some perspective and vision about where we would like things
to go in general as well as in specific areas.
I, for one, see a great deal of opportunity for authoritarianism
to come into play due to gaps in such a vision leading to a vacuum of power.
The kind of vacuum that can be created (as we have seen going on around the
world in various 'revolutions') that large corporate/elite powers would probably like
to enable for that very purpose.
I don't expect we'll all agree on some narrow
vision of the future we wish to create, but there are fundamental issues that have
reached such urgency that they demand our immediate and focused energies (without
distraction of the smaller stuff...stuff that often will fall in place naturally once the big issues are
addressed). Focus. And don't sweat the small stuff or be provoked.
Just food for thought.
Just to start off the 'big picture' stuff, here is a video of a Charlie Rose interview with
the Tofflers (authors of many books on the future) that was done way back in 1995,
but because it's about the 'future' is still very relevant. I've followed this up with some
responses to the Tofflers views. I think most would agree they have gotten many details
right but seem to skip right over some of the dangers that come amidst such large change.
The Tofflers have since said (and I paraphrase) that these changes shouldn't be manipulated,
but rather should, in most cases, be allowed a more natural course. But powerful interests
who have cherry-picked Tofflers visions with agendas of their own, have (like we see in
many of the faux 'color' revolutions around the globe) had a covert hand in directing
change to suit themselves.
If you've read or thought about these changes and would like to share writings, thoughts,
resources on
the big picture stuff, please feel free to add them to this thread.
https://charlierose.com/videos/5486
Online reading in response?
Toffler seems genuinely concerned about the breakup of Second Wave governments
and institutions possibly leading to authoritarianism. Hence the need, more urgent
than in 1970, for "anticipatory democracy" to save the day. Once again, however, his
vision lacks a critique of the fundamental obstacles to genuine participatory democracy
in the future, not least of which are multinational corporations. (pg. 182)
https://books.google.com/books?id=0042opmIG5QC&pg=PA182&lpg=PA182&dq=what+will+replace+political+parties,+toffler&source=bl&ots=UZ02Zf8oYk&sig=Ypo6qP2UmyLr2n6wBL--dhlr5LE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6lMeRtN3MAhVN52MKHUW4B44Q6AEIMjAD#v=onepage&q=what%20will%20replace%20political%20parties%2C%20toffler&f=false
Mediapolitik:
https://books.google.com/books?id=CZ_QL-hsAqwC&pg=PA312&lpg=PA312&dq=what+will+replace+political+parties,+toffler&source=bl&ots=y0OqzWIpGt&sig=nI33jQ7bOJ2r41ILdD5gQGITQhY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6lMeRtN3MAhVN52MKHUW4B44Q6AEIPzAG#v=onepage&q=what%20will%20replace%20political%20parties%2C%20toffler&f=false
