Check 5 - Biosphere and People: Diversity

03/06/21 • 24 min

All lifestyles are accepted – within the constraint of not harming others or the biosphere.

Rather than restate what we have been hearing, our focus here is on the logic of diversity from a governance standpoint - why blind-spots are self-destructive and the embrace of diversity is so enriching.

Talking points:

Pluralism and truth
Neoliberalism and consumerist monocultures
Roots of logic of diversity in need for resilience
Tribal societies and settled societies
Diversity of capitalist model - Co-ops and Quakers
Global monetary system as de facto governor
Unity in diversity - not liking someone is less important than burning to death
It's a value - the richness of pluralist societies
Leadership, certainty and diversity of perspectives
Humility: disconfirmation of beliefs as the root of all wisdom
Diversity in forms of feedback (language, media etc - vs truth as such)
Monoculture in Chinese politics centred on fear of the leader = pandemic
...and culture of target-setting
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity - and Swiss National Service
...as a way of escaping our media bubbles
...and developing network of consensus on eg. climate action
Listening to people you don't like

Pluralism as a political philosophy

on wikipedia

Ibn Khaldun - Berbers and the Maghreb (14th C! Not 10th;)

Successful prison experiment in Norway

Bastøy Prison

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All lifestyles are accepted – within the constraint of not harming others or the biosphere.

Talking points:

Pluralism and truth
Neoliberalism and consumerist monocultures
Roots of logic of diversity in need for resilience
Tribal societies and settled societies
Diversity of capitalist model - Co-ops and Quakers
Global monetary system as de facto governor
Unity in diversity - not liking someone is less important than burning to death
It's a value - the richness of pluralist societies
Leadership, certainty and diversity of perspectives
Humility: disconfirmation of beliefs as the root of all wisdom
Diversity in forms of feedback (language, media etc - vs truth as such)
Monoculture in Chinese politics centred on fear of the leader = pandemic
...and culture of target-setting
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity - and Swiss National Service
...as a way of escaping our media bubbles
...and developing network of consensus on eg. climate action
Listening to people you don't like

Pluralism as a political philosophy

on wikipedia

Ibn Khaldun - Berbers and the Maghreb (14th C! Not 10th;)

Successful prison experiment in Norway

Bastøy Prison

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Check 4 - Biosphere and People: A Constitutional Court

Its decisions are binding.

Just because we don't live in a perfect world doesn't mean we can't improve things. If events surrounding the death of Ruth Bader Gainsburg in September 2020 left you despairing at the US Supreme Court, perhaps the Supreme Court of the UK's blocking of Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings' attempted prorogation of parliament gave you hope.

However a constitutional court is concerned with interpretation of the constitution into law, not law as such. And as such, it requires a degree of specialism.

Talking points -

It sits above the system of government
The tragedy of Sally Clark, ignorance in power
The need for people who understand
How is law made? vs How does government work?
Diversity of perspective
Eg - Germany, data and social media
What emerges when the constitutional court works
Eg - South Africa escapes dictatorship
US Constitution and separation of powers
Citizen coalition
Gentlemens' agreements and culture of trust
Neoliberalism and culture of exploitation
Loss of ethics across society
Trapped in absurd global monetary system
Delusions in the arena of power
The value of rules and referees

1 in 73 Million - tragic ignorance and Sally Clark

Not for the feint hearted - but if you want an epic survey of how our reality is constructed and why, have a look at Adam Curtis' series Can't Get You Out Of My Head

Republic of South Africa - Court Youtube Channel

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Check 6 - Biosphere and People: The Commons

...as to what is in and what is out of the Commons, ie - what is commonly held.

Is this about property, or value generation? These simplifications mask the vastness and complexity of human life, and in this episode we explore where common ownership might be effective, and what it takes to make it work.

List of Talking Points:

What is the commons?

The Tragedy of the Commons

...as it relates to the Biosphere

Enclosure

...and the commodification of the individual

...and monopolies

...and rent paying

Types of commons

Eleanor Ostrom's design principles

...examples around the world

Other commons to consider: air, open source software, drugs