By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 13 May 22
Solar panels on the Werkspoorfabriek, a large industrial warehouse, in Utrecht Germany can shift its entire electricity system onto solar, wind and batteries by 2030 for less than 1% of its GDP. And the country’s entire energy system can go 100% clean energy by 2035 for less than what it spends on fossil fuels. In 10-15 years, Germany can change everything, permanently ending the era of dependence on expensive, volatile fossil fuel extraction, and leading the way for Europe to do the same. At RethinkX, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine prompting European governments in particular to radically rethink their
Solar panels on the Werkspoorfabriek, a large industrial warehouse, in Utrecht Germany can shift its entire electricity system onto solar, wind and batteries by 2030 for less than 1% of its GDP. And the country’s entire energy system can go 100% clean energy by 2035 for less than what it spends on fossil fuels. In 10-15 years, Germany can change
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 12 May 22
In this column I offer constructive critiques of public figures I admire by pointing out how they could benefit from a developmental perspective. For the past twenty years, political and social commentator David Brooks has been an influential voice in American culture. At times, I’ve found his opinions to be timely and even inspirational. But I also often find myself balking or groaning at his views. The middle-brow accessibility of his writing helps him speak to a wide audience. Yet it’s this same accessibility that prevents him from being taken seriously in many intellectual circles. I do, however, take Brooks
In this column I offer constructive critiques of public figures I admire by pointing out how they could benefit from a developmental perspective. For the past twenty years, political and social commentator David Brooks has been an influential voice in American culture. At times, I’ve found his opinions to be timely and even inspirational. But I also often find myself
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 10 May 22
In my previous article on nationalism, 20 Ways to Understand Nationalism (in Ukraine and the World), I argued that the nation remains perhaps the strongest known social force to ever explode on this planet. This, however, takes nothing away from the fact that the nation is a social construction and that it has emerged through wider and deeper historical processes: nations and national identities as we know them today were forged only when the larger world system of trade, technology, and information flows allowed for their existence. A cosmopolitan heart—one that seeks to expand upon human solidarity and engender (what I
In my previous article on nationalism, 20 Ways to Understand Nationalism (in Ukraine and the World), I argued that the nation remains perhaps the strongest known social force to ever explode on this planet. This, however, takes nothing away from the fact that the nation is a social construction and that it has emerged through wider and deeper historical processes: nations
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 9 May 22
In light of the war in Ukraine, issues of nationalism have resurfaced with full force: Is nationalism the same as patriotism? Is it good or bad; a force for self-sacrifice and unity, or one of militant tribalism and aggression? What is the fate of nationalism in a globalized world—will it live on, peter out, or even be revived and take vengeance on globalization? Let us see how the world’s best thinkers on nations and nationalism have approached the topic. Rummaging through my own book shelves I found at least 20 different ways to approach it. I’ll quickly overview all of
In light of the war in Ukraine, issues of nationalism have resurfaced with full force: Is nationalism the same as patriotism? Is it good or bad; a force for self-sacrifice and unity, or one of militant tribalism and aggression? What is the fate of nationalism in a globalized world—will it live on, peter out, or even be revived and take
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 21 Apr 22
Source: Good Food Institute Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is about to set in motion a chain of feedback effects leading to a sudden, rapid escalation of global political instability. Various UN agencies, and now the IMF, have warned of social unrest at a similar scale to the ‘Arab Spring’ events in 2011. What few understand is the role of key technology disruptions in driving these processes, and helping us solve for them. A new era of unrest In addition to being the world’s top oil and gas exporter, Russia is the world’s largest wheat exporter, and Ukraine the fifth. Together Russia and
Source: Good Food Institute Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is about to set in motion a chain of feedback effects leading to a sudden, rapid escalation of global political instability. Various UN agencies, and now the IMF, have warned of social unrest at a similar scale to the ‘Arab Spring’ events in 2011. What few understand is the role of key technology disruptions
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 18 Apr 22
Since 2021, the phenomenon of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) has shocked the world. Here I track the sociological underpinnings of this strange phenomenon—how it emerges from postmodern art—and show how its apparent evils may portend great potentials for benevolent transformations of society. Alice In Casino Wonderland Suddenly, the digital rights to fairly ugly little “cryptopunks”—i.e. pixeled retro 1980s style images of punks that you can own in the same manner that you own a piece of Bitcoin—are being bought and sold for millions of dollars. Stupefying fortunes made and lost overnight, a veritable digital Klondike of speculation arises alongside obvious perversions
Since 2021, the phenomenon of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) has shocked the world. Here I track the sociological underpinnings of this strange phenomenon—how it emerges from postmodern art—and show how its apparent evils may portend great potentials for benevolent transformations of society. Alice In Casino Wonderland Suddenly, the digital rights to fairly ugly little “cryptopunks”—i.e. pixeled retro 1980s style images of
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 10 Apr 22
I was recently on the new podcast: Deep Transformation: Self-Society-Spirit. This 2-part conversation, with hosts Dr. Roger Walsh (renowned thought leader in the fields of spirituality and integral theory) and John Dupuy (author of Integral Recovery), underscored how there is hope for politics. And how through development, we can recover both a common sense of truth and a common sense of goodness. Part I is available now, and Part II of the podcast airs April 14th. The post Interview by Roger Walsh and John Dupuy for the Deep Transformations Podcast appeared first on Steve McIntosh: Official Website.
I was recently on the new podcast: Deep Transformation: Self-Society-Spirit. This 2-part conversation, with hosts Dr. Roger Walsh (renowned thought leader in the fields of spirituality and integral theory) and John Dupuy (author of Integral Recovery), underscored how there is hope for politics. And how through development, we can recover both a common sense of truth and a common sense
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 10 Apr 22
“I don’t believe in astrology; I’m a Sagittarius and we’re skeptical.” —Arthur C. Clarke My recent articles have centered around the concept of “Protopia”—the more flexible, dynamic, and abstract version of an imagined “Utopia”. If utopian dreams were too rigid and dangerous, Protopia at least provides us with shared hope, motivation, and a sense of direction. How, then, should “Protopians” conduct themselves? Their key virtue must be, I shall argue, a certain quality of “sincere irony”: it’s abstract and playful enough to allow for new visions and new faith in the worlds our hearts know are possible—but at the same time
“I don’t believe in astrology; I’m a Sagittarius and we’re skeptical.” —Arthur C. Clarke My recent articles have centered around the concept of “Protopia”—the more flexible, dynamic, and abstract version of an imagined “Utopia”. If utopian dreams were too rigid and dangerous, Protopia at least provides us with shared hope, motivation, and a sense of direction. How, then, should “Protopians” conduct
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 6 Apr 22
Summary So Far By now—if you have read the previous articles that outline the eight pathways to a new planetary paradigm of education—a vision of the future of global education has begun to crystallize. Briefly put, I have roughly suggested an educational system that: Emphasizes the cultivation of a multi-dimensional ecological relatedness. Works to counter and adapt to the disruptions of technological innovations. Leverages tech for purposes of tailoring education to the individual and supporting learning through modelling. Emphasizes inner work and creates safe spaces for this to happen, while cultivating trust and training teachers in how to do so.
Summary So Far By now—if you have read the previous articles that outline the eight pathways to a new planetary paradigm of education—a vision of the future of global education has begun to crystallize. Briefly put, I have roughly suggested an educational system that: Emphasizes the cultivation of a multi-dimensional ecological relatedness. Works to counter and adapt to the disruptions
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 5 Apr 22
“A refugee is someone who survived and who can create the future”. —Amela Koluder According to pre-Ukrainian war figures from UNHCR, there are currently around 7.4 million school-age refugees, of which 3.7 million are out of school entirely. It has been estimated that 63% of refugees are enrolled in primary schools, only 24% in secondary school, and 3% in higher education (compared to 91%, 84% and 37% globally). It is, naturally, of utmost concern that these children are reached by quality education, as lost years of schooling will likely affect their lives and their chances of ever finding homes and livelihoods
“A refugee is someone who survived and who can create the future”. —Amela Koluder According to pre-Ukrainian war figures from UNHCR, there are currently around 7.4 million school-age refugees, of which 3.7 million are out of school entirely. It has been estimated that 63% of refugees are enrolled in primary schools, only 24% in secondary school, and 3% in higher education