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January 14, 2005RevolutionAs Jock said below: The revolution that is rapidly emerging is the citizens are demanding to be treated respectfully as multi dimensional creators/producers of content. I agree with that statement, but would modify it to read: The revolution that is rapidly emerging is the citizens are treating each other respectfully as multi dimensional creators/producers of content while their governments promote divisiveness as they vie for power and control. Peace is an outcome that evolves as people focus on the values of acceptance and connection. And, especially since the advent of the internet, more and more of us understand that diversity is not frightening nor a motivation for competition over who is superior or right. Diversity enriches our lives, our thoughts, and our experiences by widening our perspectives. In the process of accepting diverse views, we see more possibilities. The phrase "citizen of the world" is one that has seemed to recede during the last few years of rabid American nationalism, yet it still describes a profound longing for a connected world that is shared by many and simmers below the surface of divisions encouraged by a focus on petty differences, fear, and the need to be right. People are connecting anyway. Just before Christmas, I was listening to NPR and heard a program entitled ArabAnd Jewish Artists And Musicians In Jerusalem Are Using Music And Theater To Grow Closer To Each Other When all the news seems to be about tearing down, here's a story about people finding ways to communicate that bypass cultural barriers and governmental power struggles. Here are some excerpts from this inspiring story: About a dozen teen-agers sit in a circle... These teen-agers are part of an Arab-Jewish dialogue group that has been meeting weekly for several months.... The future is connections like those between these teenagers and their teachers. No matter what direction governmental leaders try to take the people, we the people are communicating, connecting, and learning about each other. I sometimes wonder how far apart governments and their citizens have to get before the leaders realize they have to follow or get out of the way.
Comments
Elissa, A fine and thoughtful post as usual. I have since made an edit to change the line to read "is that citizens". Also, the title of the post "Creation vs. consumption - Future vs. demise" suggests that the meme can be further extended to something along the lines of: The revolution that is rapidly emerging is that citizens, treating each other respectfully, are re-asserting their full humanity as multi dimensional creators/producers and distributors of content. By so doing, they are creating a new path forward. Too wordy at the moment. And of course that new path leads away from the old Industrial Broadcast model. It also increases our reserves of human [social] capital, which the current acrimonious atmosphere is eroding. Short term political power gains based upon creating divisions and conflicts will destroy us. Already they are tearing apart our traditional systems of checks and balances. Jock Posted by: Jock Gill at January 15, 2005 10:29 AMPost a comment
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