Monster Problems ... the Meta-crisis .... The Human Predicament
Human society is encountering Monster Problems. Monsters are the really big, seemingly impossible-to-solve issues which must be solved, very scary stuff. The available solution-actions merely lessen the symptoms because the Monsters are caused by the underlying System.
Some global "Monster Problems" are.
Our System is a set of contracts and norms that structure a competition of Special Interests with little provision for the Collective Interest. As people became more inter-dependent, competition increasingly delivers collective stupidity. Ultimately, we must periodically step back and address these Monsters collaboratively and co-determine what to do. OK nations try and do this all the time, creating treaties for example. But what our System needs is a "We the People" collective thinking process, where all of us as people periodically step back, think together, reach shared conclusions and take responsibility for the well-being of the biosphere. Does this seem impossible? It's not!!
Here's the good news: There is a set of social innovations, which provide for this structural change to our System. And more good news: A few of us with enough resources and media support, can FACILITATE "all" of us to get involved, think about these Monsters collaboratively and achieve unified conclusions and breakthrough progress. This new added bit of collective thinking, basically what our ancient ancestors did for millennia, constitutes the necessary System Transformation. The ToBe Project articulates step-by-step what "we" (i.e. just us) can do to start this ball rolling. As we implement The ToBe Project we will inviting people in many localities to spark Empowerment Gatherings once a month, where all participants work together creatively, address and solve Monster Problems and evolve over time into a powerful new planetary being, "We the People." The risks are difficult to find while the benefits are IMMENSE. This Project is a way to facilitate the "Good Society" into being, where collective intelligence is a natural result.
This Project may seem utopian but that's only because our System limits our thinking. Words like dialogue, discussion, debate, dialogue, deliberation, argument, discourse, etc. do not capture the quality of thinking that's needed for this Project to work. Solving Monsters requires a higher quality of thinking, where people rise to the occasion and solve impossible problems together. Some Native American tribes called it "sacred thinking." And they used the Kiva, talking sticks, ceremonies, etc. to achieve it. We call it "choice-creating," opposite to decision-making. And using the Wisdom Council Process it can be facilitated in these periodic moments at very LARGE scale.
Actually, these aims ... collective intelligence at the global level ... must be achieved. And here's a way to do it. There is no identifiable risk to starting the Project. And IMMENSE benefits just from getting started. See the webpage "Getting It".
To understand more about the social innovations underlying this Project see: "Essential Wisdom for Solving Society's Biggest Issues"
Some global "Monster Problems" are.
- The rapid proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction ... e.g. More nations want nuclear weapons
- The climate crisis ... See: Solving climate change
- Worsening "L-shaped" distribution of wealth and power
- The resurgence of Authoritarianism ... (i.e. from Box to Triangle)
- The threat of Artificial Intelligence taking over from humanity
- Overpopulation ... A number of scientists say the carrying capacity of the earth is about 2 billion people but already there are many more.
- Increasing Tragedies of the Commons ... e.g. Fish resources, fresh water, biodiversity, forests, soil, pollution, trust-levels, etc.
- Collective Trauma to our people from wars, poverty, climate events, racism, authoritarian governments, sexism, etc.
- Wars ... e.g. the resurgence of "might makes right"
- Pandemics ... e.g. Covid 19, Influenza
- Prejudices ... against other races, religions, sexes, etc.
- (You name it ...)
Our System is a set of contracts and norms that structure a competition of Special Interests with little provision for the Collective Interest. As people became more inter-dependent, competition increasingly delivers collective stupidity. Ultimately, we must periodically step back and address these Monsters collaboratively and co-determine what to do. OK nations try and do this all the time, creating treaties for example. But what our System needs is a "We the People" collective thinking process, where all of us as people periodically step back, think together, reach shared conclusions and take responsibility for the well-being of the biosphere. Does this seem impossible? It's not!!
Here's the good news: There is a set of social innovations, which provide for this structural change to our System. And more good news: A few of us with enough resources and media support, can FACILITATE "all" of us to get involved, think about these Monsters collaboratively and achieve unified conclusions and breakthrough progress. This new added bit of collective thinking, basically what our ancient ancestors did for millennia, constitutes the necessary System Transformation. The ToBe Project articulates step-by-step what "we" (i.e. just us) can do to start this ball rolling. As we implement The ToBe Project we will inviting people in many localities to spark Empowerment Gatherings once a month, where all participants work together creatively, address and solve Monster Problems and evolve over time into a powerful new planetary being, "We the People." The risks are difficult to find while the benefits are IMMENSE. This Project is a way to facilitate the "Good Society" into being, where collective intelligence is a natural result.
This Project may seem utopian but that's only because our System limits our thinking. Words like dialogue, discussion, debate, dialogue, deliberation, argument, discourse, etc. do not capture the quality of thinking that's needed for this Project to work. Solving Monsters requires a higher quality of thinking, where people rise to the occasion and solve impossible problems together. Some Native American tribes called it "sacred thinking." And they used the Kiva, talking sticks, ceremonies, etc. to achieve it. We call it "choice-creating," opposite to decision-making. And using the Wisdom Council Process it can be facilitated in these periodic moments at very LARGE scale.
Actually, these aims ... collective intelligence at the global level ... must be achieved. And here's a way to do it. There is no identifiable risk to starting the Project. And IMMENSE benefits just from getting started. See the webpage "Getting It".
To understand more about the social innovations underlying this Project see: "Essential Wisdom for Solving Society's Biggest Issues"
Our System is working against us
The ToBe Project is a "Holution" to the Human Predicament.
The ToBe Project
The ToBe Project is comprised of eight accessible steps. It convenes a "We the People" conversation that we'd all like to be part of. The magic sauce to achieving this global "We the People" is a heartfelt, creative kind of conversation that humans have used since the beginning of time, but which has largely been lost. The viability of this project depends on our ability to facilitate "Choice-creating," at large scale. For the 8-steps and further description see The ToBe Project.
Can this "Holution" really work?
The ToBe Project is essentially the "Wisdom Council Process" applied to the global System. We already know that the Wisdom Council Process works at large scale because two states of Austria have adopted it into their state constitutions. And we also know that it's possible for "Just Us" to set the ToBe Project in motion. Below is a cartoon video that explains a little about how this can work.
Can we save the world?
So far there is no "We" to even try to save the world. Nor is there a legitimate form of global governance by which to establish and enforce global policy. Yes, many people and organizations are working to make the world a better place. And there are efforts to coordinate these efforts. But these large-scale efforts cannot affect the ultimate cause of the Monster Problems. To save the World requires the addition of "one ongoing global choice-creating conversation" to what already exists. It's not obvious that this is needed or that it can happen.
The good news is that with maybe $10 million dollars, enough people who "get it," the help of some media the Project can start. Once it gains a foothold we believe the number of participants will grow exponentially. Key is that the Project doesn't need to "scale up" because it starts at scale, with a legitimate symbol of us all. Then as more people get involved this symbolic "We the People" gains ever more power in many different ways. (See Immense Benefits) One benefit is the establishment of a new form of democratic global governance, where "We the People" are the ultimate authority.
The good news is that with maybe $10 million dollars, enough people who "get it," the help of some media the Project can start. Once it gains a foothold we believe the number of participants will grow exponentially. Key is that the Project doesn't need to "scale up" because it starts at scale, with a legitimate symbol of us all. Then as more people get involved this symbolic "We the People" gains ever more power in many different ways. (See Immense Benefits) One benefit is the establishment of a new form of democratic global governance, where "We the People" are the ultimate authority.
Here is an 11 minute overview of "How we can repair the Earth together." This video was prepared for the Global Earth Repair Conference to be held May 7 -11 Port Townsend WA, 2026.
What Can I Do to help solve climate change?
The ToBe Project is a "Holution" more than a solution. I provides for the solving of many impossible-seeming, existential "Monster Problems" at once ... including the climate crisis. See Solving climate change.
Additional resources ...
- "The ToBe Project: A Shortcut to Global Transformation"
- Adding the Missing Conversation is a new organization seeking to implement the ToBe Project.
- “Breakthrough Solutions for a Divided Society” .. KAJ Podcast in India. with Ajay Khudania 12/2/2024
- See the 5-part video seminar to understand this new-paradigm approach: "Essential Wisdom for Solving Society's Biggest Issues"
- See video examples of the Wisdom Council Process working at large scale in a public setting
Be a supporter. Donate to the Center for Wise Democracy! ... All donations are tax-deductible.
We are a 501-c3 organization.
We are a 501-c3 organization.