This may be a slight digression, but i stumbled across this crazy and somewhat frightening video on youtube. https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_-2DCto1DXXHAc&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=ypqWFgAAeplo9pYUtpkKKubmFjYqE9b9fqDvdLaDOXY&e= All kinds of ethical questions and alarm bells going off after watching this....if it is real and not some fake video. If anything, it points to the urgency of a wisdom commons for humanity so that we don’t end up exterminating our own species through sheer stupidity. Imagine if some unthinking human released something like this into nature as a lark? On Tue, 30 Mar 2021 at 17:11, Henriques, Gregg - henriqgx <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Thanks, Jack. > > > > I will need to look more into this, but I would argue that other > techniques have demonstrated visual/experiential consciousness in other > animals. The second half of this article gives a good demonstration of > subjective visual experience in crows… > > > https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.scientificamerican.com_article_bird-2Dbrains-2Dare-2Dfar-2Dmore-2Dhumanlike-2Dthan-2Donce-2Dthought_&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=zLqGrLkv63YpGOkmkE8DztWG6b2PO6MV_OEkBfUdhEY&e= > > > > Best, > G > > > > *From:* tree of knowledge system discussion < > [log in to unmask]> *On Behalf Of *James Lyons-Weiler > *Sent:* Tuesday, March 30, 2021 11:05 AM > *To:* [log in to unmask] > *Subject:* Experiential consciousness > > > > *CAUTION: *This email originated from outside of JMU. Do not click links > or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is > safe. > ------------------------------ > > Very interesting results! > > > > > https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__scitechdaily.com_ingenious-2Dexperiments-2Dshow-2Dmonkeys-2Dconsciously-2Dexperience-2Dthe-2Dvisual-2Dworld-2Dthe-2Dsame-2Dway-2Dpeople-2Ddo_&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=9qeH9Q-3NvIZpnlK5-FrdRugCaYIDWhCkzpp4bM6X9s&e= > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__scitechdaily.com_ingenious-2Dexperiments-2Dshow-2Dmonkeys-2Dconsciously-2Dexperience-2Dthe-2Dvisual-2Dworld-2Dthe-2Dsame-2Dway-2Dpeople-2Ddo_&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=Y3_QyUIfZ6o9r36yuiDaIXCxy1NaXgiHrM0OrmKLDZs&s=UQWZ5W4qGHPUttxhZhqRYsvG4p2zYZcaZr_89erFKeQ&e=> > > > > On Tue, Mar 30, 2021, 7:11 AM Henriques, Gregg - henriqgx < > [log in to unmask]> wrote: > > Hi Gien, > > I would frame it in terms of how would UTOK shed light on the situation, > just to differentiate the whole system (UTOK) from the first key idea (ToK > System). The first key idea is about a new map of Big History, science and > our origin story, such that we have a coherent naturalistic ontology for > our shared base reality. > > > > The UTOK is a holistic philosophy, and the whole unified theory of > psychology and unified approach to psychotherapy, which are key in such an > analysis. Several angles emerge from a UTOK vantage point, the first being > the relationship between the participants, their motives and the UTOK > analysis. That is, is it something they would want? > > > > If yes, then one can apply the UTOK to help the participants reframe the > opposed positional narrative that has emerged. The idea is that people get > stuck in justifying positions and influence and investment pathways that > they become diametrically opposed and deconstructive, which results in > vicious, maladaptive cycles. That is the process of undesired “neurotic” > conflict. By undesired, I mean that the actual ideas, values, and visions > of the participants was more or less overlapping and no one reflectively > would have wanted a break. Think of a divorce. Sometimes a divorce is a > function of the reflective needs of one or both partners. Say, they fell > out of love and the system needs to go its separate ways. There are other > marriages whereby people get neurotically entangled. This is because of > miscommunication, misunderstanding, defensiveness (see, e.g., John > Gottman’s four horses), and this drives people into positions that are > win/lose or lose/lose, and viciously reciprocal (i.e., you did this thing, > so I retaliate, so you retaliate, etc.). > > > > Mike Mascolo has developed a conflict resolution frame called Creating > Common Ground > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.creatingcommonground.org_&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=Y3_QyUIfZ6o9r36yuiDaIXCxy1NaXgiHrM0OrmKLDZs&s=vnRYw1__KKEJ228078Mh7QjGxuviINUgQpWW30tj3kM&e=> > that overlaps much with the basic human psychological frame and sensibility > and provides ways to understand how people get stuck and how to reverse > problematic positions and develop a better foundation for working together > to meet needs and solve problems. Here is the website, which I collaborated > with him on. > > > Best, > Gregg > > > > *From:* tree of knowledge system discussion < > [log in to unmask]> *On Behalf Of *James Gien Wong > *Sent:* Monday, March 29, 2021 5:43 PM > *To:* [log in to unmask] > *Subject:* Re: TOK Essay from Michel Bauwens > > > > *CAUTION: *This email originated from outside of JMU. Do not click links > or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is > safe. > ------------------------------ > > Yes, this is the fallout he is referring to. I believe the two opposing > parties are not able to see each other's respective views and the result is > this conflict and splitting apart. How would ToK shed light on the > situation to mediate a solution? > > Wishing you WELLth > > Gien > > Future Ancestor > > > > Pull a thread here and you’ll find it’s attached to the rest of the world. > - Nadeem Aslam > > > > www.stopresetgo.org > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.stopresetgo.org_&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=8Af618ZcQsUdAfwJGwKuyCO9hG36fwbAVt7FPBhAqz0&s=IaeEv0yOGj0e7wyQ_dyHaMOQOQSJ9zAzp0Xm22Ha2cg&e=> > > https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.earthwisecentre.org_tps&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=JDhJnJqipB5aySn2_-vpfn0jL1WRxFBiP50e9dBztds&e= > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.earthwisecentre.org_tps&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=8Af618ZcQsUdAfwJGwKuyCO9hG36fwbAVt7FPBhAqz0&s=76f5NWCyJPTNGSKmd8rzarySBvrBOrMudtfUtzFn9Pc&e=> > > https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__tippingpointfestival.org&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=h-1RxdxEHprMKCxXi1nSulK99pTMFZ_mmf0VQuJWB9g&e= > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__tippingpointfestival.org_&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=8Af618ZcQsUdAfwJGwKuyCO9hG36fwbAVt7FPBhAqz0&s=cweiw3dN94-JM9cqKs1Fp6TR0zPgG2L_HaTMMlxdl-Q&e=> > > https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.earthwisecentre.org_music-2Dfor-2Dchange&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=yPsujFQ6eHjjMe_J3rfmzkA7TRzeVLFKixSlrKkxzck&e= > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.earthwisecentre.org_music-2Dfor-2Dchange&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=8Af618ZcQsUdAfwJGwKuyCO9hG36fwbAVt7FPBhAqz0&s=jRMXkE5PPyyXzMSKzuaValQkSjmPmRXJ9ic6gxjtiTo&e=> > > www.futureliving.institute > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.futureliving.institute_&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=8Af618ZcQsUdAfwJGwKuyCO9hG36fwbAVt7FPBhAqz0&s=qSxxACTCcArJTtjP4cShwMjN1I3XKVswLmCmilvlVdg&e=> > > [log in to unmask] > > intl ph: (1) 206 973-3924 > > SA ph: (+27) 79 589 6173 > > skype: geniepop > > > > > > > > On Mon, Mar 29, 2021 at 9:23 PM nysa71 < > [log in to unmask]> wrote: > > *CAUTION: *This email originated from outside of JMU. Do not click links > or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is > safe. > ------------------------------ > > Hi All, > > To be honest, I don't know anything about P2P or Michel Bauwens. My > initial impression from reading his editorial, though, is that a lot of it > sounds dubious --- like something you'd get from alt-right media. I've > heard all this panic over this supposed "far left" extremism taking over > society many times before, but I've yet to see a shred of convincing > evidence of such. If anything, it seems like it's extreme right wing > ideology that is the real concern. > > Anyways, I did a quick Google search and found this open letter of > disassociation from Bauwens. Just thought I'd share it, if for anything, to > show a counter-perspective from some other folks on the left. > > https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__c4ss.org_content_54521&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=8zJUfhVfrI3pHmdRR-5s59sry3I4fhpWhX6hSCY-73Q&e= > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__c4ss.org_content_54521&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=B_WmQ9LNE1pF2YXK7GT4Z44yU-vpScbmvK5rsc3qsCk&s=jp96ylei8OruTFLvc82nXs1ZvHCm8H8bWL4lOBCRP5U&e=> > > ~ Jason Bessey > > > > > > On Monday, March 29, 2021, 01:50:41 PM EDT, James Gien Wong < > [log in to unmask]> wrote: > > > > > > *CAUTION: *This email originated from outside of JMU. Do not click links > or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is > safe. > ------------------------------ > > I've been working very closely with Michel in the last few years on > Commons works, especially the concept of Cosmolocal Production as in this > collaboration: > > > https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__medium.com_-40joseramos-5F30450_the-2Dcosmo-2Dlocal-2Dreader-2Dinvitation-2Dto-2Dparticipate-2Ddbcb6248f54b&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=Uruu4EJivdIU0FLFzFW-uiSB7tUM51AWriMsqT1Gb0k&e= > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__medium.com_-40joseramos-5F30450_the-2Dcosmo-2Dlocal-2Dreader-2Dinvitation-2Dto-2Dparticipate-2Ddbcb6248f54b&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=dOmx3ppqXdK1MNq4amruTKUBv0JOW9LFo_71hkfzGlU&s=4NMpxrD8uBJIhHxjDsUSfGAJ9vDBMH78ovZxVajNqTM&e=> > > In the past year, I've been motivating discussions of the need for a > wisdom commons to help people to understand the divisiveness they are > falling prey to. From the blowups I've seen in the P2P Foundation FB group, > it appears that Jordan Peterson has been one of the lighting rods that has > been the source of much of divisiveness. Another is wokism and identity > politics. Yes, sadly Michel has been the target of much of this and a > wisdom commons that unites humanity is much needed. > > Wishing you WELLth > > Gien > > Future Ancestor > > > > Pull a thread here and you’ll find it’s attached to the rest of the world. > - Nadeem Aslam > > > > www.stopresetgo.org > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.stopresetgo.org_&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=dOmx3ppqXdK1MNq4amruTKUBv0JOW9LFo_71hkfzGlU&s=3-UJTNQ0dOfkS5mtoW3snV0UYsWVVyi-L3ooBtkN0g4&e=> > > https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.earthwisecentre.org_tps&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=JDhJnJqipB5aySn2_-vpfn0jL1WRxFBiP50e9dBztds&e= > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.earthwisecentre.org_tps&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=dOmx3ppqXdK1MNq4amruTKUBv0JOW9LFo_71hkfzGlU&s=xcJcnrdwDkAkytMVKDO86LGzT3Du6ndzD6ifxXms1-M&e=> > > https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__tippingpointfestival.org&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=h-1RxdxEHprMKCxXi1nSulK99pTMFZ_mmf0VQuJWB9g&e= > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__tippingpointfestival.org_&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=dOmx3ppqXdK1MNq4amruTKUBv0JOW9LFo_71hkfzGlU&s=DbvMooXh4Hj25_4VEbAFE9qtUwrpnH0a268-gmFHhjI&e=> > > https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.earthwisecentre.org_music-2Dfor-2Dchange&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=yPsujFQ6eHjjMe_J3rfmzkA7TRzeVLFKixSlrKkxzck&e= > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.earthwisecentre.org_music-2Dfor-2Dchange&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=dOmx3ppqXdK1MNq4amruTKUBv0JOW9LFo_71hkfzGlU&s=wPBAybX3XNRteR6wR2d-k7GMZWKv4ByMUIXreVGQ8w4&e=> > > www.futureliving.institute > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.futureliving.institute_&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=dOmx3ppqXdK1MNq4amruTKUBv0JOW9LFo_71hkfzGlU&s=d46dmgD9zQGr33jve_zIx86wdu3ujthJMDdBPFWrZvk&e=> > > [log in to unmask] > > intl ph: (1) 206 973-3924 > > SA ph: (+27) 79 589 6173 > > skype: geniepop > > > > > > > > On Mon, Mar 29, 2021 at 2:57 PM Henriques, Gregg - henriqgx < > [log in to unmask]> wrote: > > Hi TOK List, > > > > Michel Bauwens is the founder of the P2P Foundation > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__p2pfoundation.net_&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=dOmx3ppqXdK1MNq4amruTKUBv0JOW9LFo_71hkfzGlU&s=b2HMuC5leypEdYRrcffVGhL9UYOLf5gSn0FPy1-GZjM&e=>, > which is a non-profit organization and global network dedicated to > advocacy and research of commons-oriented peer to peer (P2P) dynamics in > society. Given that the “wisdom commons” was the focus of the final “Body > and Soul” series, > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.youtube.com_watch-3Fv-3DZBYXTN6-5FInw&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=dOmx3ppqXdK1MNq4amruTKUBv0JOW9LFo_71hkfzGlU&s=KJTJBFhgp1UbUM0IzFvanimNY6P-bE_uc34SchWN_IU&e=> > the P2P Foundation is an organization and vision that is aligned with the > vision and values of the TOK Society. I recently have learned that Michel > has been embroiled in controversy that parallels many these days in the > left. Namely, he has been criticized strongly for critiquing some of the > extreme left movements toward a highly racialized society, which I > something that I too have deep concerns about. As such, I thought I would > share this essay that he shared on his platform. This is an ongoing > conversation… > > > Best, > Gregg > > > > > > Editorial: Why share dissenting universalist and egalitarian points of > view on a p2p/commons oriented forum ? > > > > We have rapidly moved to a new hegemony that aims for racial separation > and a return to fragmented tribal identities. In American schools, children > as young as 4 years old (though mostly in 8th grade), are taught to > identify their racial characteristics, divided into oppressor and > oppressed groups, with the former asked to pen down confessions and > understand the harm they are doing to others because of their unchosen DNA. > In these schools and other institutions, people are asked to divide > themselves by racial affinity groups, with people of particular skin and > gender, being excluded from meetings. The first thing done at the CHAD in > Seattle was to create such an exclusion zone, which is also a standard > practice at the main left student union at French universities. Separate > dorms have been instituted in about 80 universities along with separate > graduation seminaries. Since every difference in outcome has been decreed > to be due to systematic racism, and complex inquiries into causation are > now off-limits, with scientists asking to retract their findings ‘because > they could be mis-interpreted’ (and not because they are wrong). In what is > now a routinized policy of what Frederick Douglas called the racism of low > expectations, exams are adapted or cancelled, asking for homework is taboo, > and it is no longer okay to challenge a 2+2=5 response, seen as an > acceptable outcome of cognitive divergence. > > > > Practices that make people more resilient, such as studying hard or > working hard, are being racialized and demonized, targeting cultures that > excel at it, such as the Confucian cultures. > > > > The boundaries between the decreed intersectional groups are policed > through taboos around cultural appropriation. It is no longer ok for > novelist to create characters of a different DNA than yourself, to have > texts translated by people with a different DNA, to wear dresses of a > different culture, or as in Portland, to cook burritos if you are not > Mexican. > > > > People are supposed to speak as their group interests dictate. Hard won > civil rights, such as women’s rights for protected spaces, even the right > to characterize themselves as such, the free choice of sexual partners, and > many other really basic rights, are being challenged, and in many cases, > have been reversed. The people who dissent with the new hegemony, who more > often than not get identified as libertarian left on the political compass, > are hounded from their jobs by the thousands, are labelled as extremists > for views that were mainstream progressive viewpoints even a few years ago. > > The viewpoints of the most sensitive and fragile, who are no longer > habituated to autonomous dissent that disagrees with their viewpoint, are > posited as the norm from whom majorities cannot dissent, otherwise they > would be unsafe. Pluralism is out, people are massively calling for book > burnings, and representations of the cultural heritage of peoples and > nations are poised for destruction in an iconoclastic fury. Only one ring > of interpretation to rule them all, and everything that points to other > possibilities should be destroyed. History is to be managed to the demands > of the most extreme and fragile current sensibilities. Viewpoint diversity > is out, even ‘diversity and inclusion’ are decried, in favour of centering > one single political sensibility. Dissenters in the own ranks are > de-identified as ‘not really belonging to their tribal group’, even if they > share the required DNA. > > Reactions to his new hegemony range from denial, “it doesn’t exist, it > isn’t there, move on”, to the opinions that these are but marginal > phenomenal, even though its rules and regulations are in many cases the > constitutions of our online spaces (and now in the US, presidential > decree), to enthusiastic ganging up to eliminate the dissenters through > rituals of degradation, social shunning, and the systematic campaigns to > destroy livelihoods, which hits un-famous working class people the hardest. > Identitarian institutions themselves are subject to their own purity spiral > campaigns, often the previous deniers being the victims of a process that > they denied just 24 hours before being eliminated themselves. These > processes are very familiar to those who know but a little of previous > history, and realize where racialized and opinion-based purity spirals can > lead to. It is no accident that the CHAD in Seattle saw pamphlets against > Jewish privilege, since it is the same psychological structure of > victimization and blame, which replaces the search for solidarity and > commonality across difference, that produces both. The first step to > physical violence is the destruction of the possibility of dialogue, hence > the importance of rituals of degradation and Berufsverbot, which takes > center stage in the neo-identitarian movements. The aim is always to > dehumanize you, preparing further and deeper campaigns of purification, > depending on the power they can mobilize. The one thing they fear the most > is a dialogue amongst peers, before a free audience that can freely make up > its minds, hence the need for cancellation and deplatforming. > > > > While it is crucially important to continue the fight for civic and human > rights, against discrimination of all kinds, for diversity and inclusion of > marginalized social groups, the way forward is not through a universal > regime of group separation and group allocation. Between the equality of > opportunity of the liberals who refuse to look at material conditions, and > the equality of outcomes of the identitarians, which refuse to recognize > complex causation, individual freedoms and collective cultures, there is > the old socialist (it is centering societies around preferred social > outcomes, while honouring individual and collective autonomous initiative) > and now common-centric approach, of creating the concrete material, > cultural and subjective conditions so that people are really free to choose > how they will contribute to the common good, and to the resilience and > thriving of their own families, groups and productive communities. > > The answer is to look at the concrete conditions, commons of > capabilities, of people regardless of their DNA and other biological > markers. The answer is to look at class, not in an essentialist and hateful > way, but in the very concrete way of people having access to the product of > their labour and own value creation, i.e.distributed forms of property and > governance. The answer is to have the tools at our disposal to take > decisions that take into account all living beings in the web of life, and > the resources we all need to thrive across generations. > > The answer is to retain the achievements of democracy and a liberal > human order, to achieve a deeper, deliberative, super-competent democracy. > The answer is to retain universalism and egalitarianism, and not abolish > them because they were so imperfectly carried out. The answer is to retain > the solidarity mechanisms of the welfare state and to extend them to all > the nomadic and marginal existences that fall through the cracks, > complementing them with new translocal institutions of solidarity. State > and markets, historically responsible for the twin good/bad outcome of > consumptive expansion and environmental and social dislocation, have to > exist within bounds that make them generative, working with and for commons > that protect human and extra human communities. > > Some people believe that such a commons-centric successor civilisation > is compatible with tribal fragmentation in a segregated social order > subject to stringent suppression of free speech and thought. They are wrong > and dangerous in that belief. Commons require freedom of thought and > individual liberty. The commons are not a top-down stalinist or fascist > institution that can freely discriminate in order to be made safe for elite > extraction. These 2 solutions are mutually incompatible. > > The commons require free peer to peer dynamics of free persons that > willingly associate; it requires us to create and work on commons of > capabilities so that every citizen and inhabitant can create livelihoods in > freely chosen communities. It requires us to design economics not for zero > sum games and group allocation that favours elite outcomes within each > group, at the expense of the interests and wellbeing of the vast majority > of the other people inside and outside those groups. While segregated > commons based on elite clientelism are perhaps a theoretical possibility, > on their own, in the context of a suppressive racialist order based on > group allocation, they will not be able to create a coherent society that > builds on the achievements of the current form of civilization. We need to > ‘transcend and include’ what is best in premodern, modern and post-modern > forms of living and organizing society, not suppress its highest and most > noble achievements, which is individual and collective initiative, > including entrepreneurship i.e. the right to create livelihoods around > common interests and ideals. > > People should be judged on their individual merits and behaviour, their > intentions should be honoured and treated with dignity; they are all > persons, the result of complex identity formations, choices, complex > causation and the vagaries of life and society. > > If the above is true, this means that while we can readily recognize the > original good intentions of those that fall for the separatist, > segregationist and free-speech suppressing movements , we also have to > point out that they are in fact being conned by a ideologically totalist > cult, that peddles a system of unproven pseudo-realities, and that these > movements systematic racial profiling and scapegoating, will create a > monster, and in fact, has already created a monster. We already know from > meta-studies on ‘unconscious bias training’ result in more racist outcomes > and that affirmative action and DIE bureaucracies do not seem to have > desired outcomes (see the situation at Google itself). As Immanuel > Wallerstein is reported to have said before his passing, this whole > identitarian wrong path may well meant the loss of a whole generation in > terms of emancipatory work, until an explosion and catastrophic event like > the Chinese Cultural Revolution leads to a re-awakening to the need to work > together across difference. The good news is that this has happened many > times in human history, and that people have recoiled from the ultimate > consequences of their wrong choices. But like fascism, stalinism and > maoism, it can take many decades of catastrophes. The only hope we have is > that these institutions are so dysfunctional, destroy progressive social > movements at such a rate, that leading activists will recoil from going > further into that path of self-destruction. > > In the meantime, it is a time of reckoning and knowing where you stand. > It is a time of political re-alignment. > > We need to defend the advances and achievements of the civil rights > movement against the upstart movements that aim to undo them. > > We need to defend all people who have been targeted for suppression, and > show our solidarity with them. > > We need to defend open inquiry, academic freedom and free speech. > > The commons are not an exclusively left project, as they have existed at > the heart or at the margins of many different types of civilizations. Need > we remind ourselves that the world’s most successful and exemplary > cooperative, Mondragon, was born in a fascist state ? > > The commons are a universal project, the only human institution that has > historically been able to maintain and protect resources for the common > good of communities the world over, for thousands of years, and that now > needs to move center stage. > > This requires free persons engaging with each other regardless of their > DNA, to judge each other on our mutual contributions, to assist all those > who want to contribute but have difficulties doing so. We need to abandon > zero sum games which divide us into resource wars, and design infinite > games, in which the advance of one person, does not have to happen at the > expense of another. > > So , in these forums, do not expect dis-engagement from the historical > task at hand, nor any compromise with the forces who want to treat people > based on their DNA and biological markers. We are with Martin Luther King, > Malcolm X, James Baldwin, and the Black Panthers, emancipators who saw > themselves within the tradition of universalism and egalitarianism even as > they opted for communal forms of organization within that framework. We are > most emphatically not with people who want to allocate speech rights and > other resources based on DNA (see the Evergreen documentaries to see how > this works out in practice). > > We denounce the new defenders of a universal apartheid regime, we are > with all those who oppose them; we are with all egalitarian and > universalist oriented people who believe the commons need to be centered in > order to save our civilization. We welcome people of all persuasions, as > long as they are not racialist, who align with a belief in free association > around common projects. If you do not believe in free association, in free > persons, how can you also believe in the commons ? > > If you believe it is too partisan to be against racism, segregationism > and the defense of complex persons with free speech, you have a whole > hegemonic world order to defend, just don’t expect me to be your ally. > > There is an enormous amount of pro-commons work to do; and the > principles of the commons and peer to peer need to be defended against the > advocates of segregation and racial inequality. There is no contradiction, > they go hand in hand. > > > > > > ___________________________________________ > > Gregg Henriques, Ph.D. > Professor > Department of Graduate Psychology > 216 Johnston Hall > MSC 7401 > James Madison University > Harrisonburg, VA 22807 > (540) 568-7857 (phone) > (540) 568-4747 (fax) > > > *Be that which enhances dignity and well-being with integrity.* > > Check out the Unified Theory Of Knowledge homepage at: > > https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.unifiedtheoryofknowledge.org_&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=3SDd5jWlx5XnGSIdrA-4J50G7issb6VQiUR2sGPeNkU&e= > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.unifiedtheoryofknowledge.org_&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=dOmx3ppqXdK1MNq4amruTKUBv0JOW9LFo_71hkfzGlU&s=G1uZQUaNt3oGtguiciexw4RKICNa8gva1b8cVrYL3sc&e=> > > > > ############################ > > To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the > following link: > http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1 > > ############################ > > To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the > following link: > http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1 > > ############################ > > To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the > following link: > http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1 > > ############################ > > To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the > following link: > http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1 > > ############################ > > To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the > following link: > http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1 > > ############################ > > To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the > following link: > http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1 > ############################ > > To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the > following link: > http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1 > -- Wishing you WELLth Gien Future Ancestor Pull a thread here and you’ll find it’s attached to the rest of the world. - Nadeem Aslam www.stopresetgo.org https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.earthwisecentre.org_tps&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=JDhJnJqipB5aySn2_-vpfn0jL1WRxFBiP50e9dBztds&e= https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__tippingpointfestival.org&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=h-1RxdxEHprMKCxXi1nSulK99pTMFZ_mmf0VQuJWB9g&e= https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.earthwisecentre.org_music-2Dfor-2Dchange&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=xx3qg_cR748Ib37KtweWMONDD05eUeMTqG5BgeYz8Yc&s=yPsujFQ6eHjjMe_J3rfmzkA7TRzeVLFKixSlrKkxzck&e= www.futureliving.institute [log in to unmask] intl ph: (1) 206 973-3924 SA ph: (+27) 79 589 6173 skype: geniepop ############################ To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the following link: http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1