The Meta-crisis is caused by our System
Human society is encountering Monster Problems. Monsters are the really big, seemingly impossible-to-solve issues which must be solved, very scary stuff (See the chart comparing Tame, Wicked and Monsters).
Some global "Monster Problems" are.
Our global System is based on a simple idea: Establish the "rules of the game" through treaties, laws and norms. This establishes a game-like competition and competitive mind-set, where people and nations compete for money and power. This competition of Special Interests will naturally become deadly as resources are mindlessly consumed and destroyed, with little provision for the Collective Well Being. Ultimately, we must all step back and co-create the "collective will." We must address the Monster Problems collaboratively. Of course, representatives often try and do this, creating treaties for example. But what's missing is a global "We the People," where all of us periodically step back, think together, reach shared conclusions and take steward the well-being of the biosphere and our people. This may seem impossible ... but it is much easier to establish than one might imagine.
Good news: There is a set of social innovations, which provide for this structural change to our System. With enough resources a few people can FACILITATE "all" of us to get involved, think creatively about these Monsters, reach unified conclusions and collaborate to overcome them. This element of collective thinking is likely how humans survived and thrived for millennia.. The ToBe Project articulates step-by-step what "we" (i.e. just us) can do to start this collective thinking process. Individuals in different localities can accelerate this process by convening monthly meetings that we call "Empowerment Gatherings." Each step of the process has immense benefits with no identifiable downside.
The ToBe Project seems utopian because our System limits our thinking. For instance, there are many different words describing different conversations ... like decision-making, problem-solving, dialogue, discussion, debate, consensus-building, deliberation, argument, discourse, etc. But none of them capture the quality of thinking that's needed for our society to work into the future. We need a name for the kind of thinking by which the people can solve impossible-seeming Monsters, a heartfelt, creative quality of thinking by which people appreciate one another's uniqueness and rise to the occasion. Some Native American tribes called it "sacred thinking." And they used the Kiva, talking sticks, ceremonies, etc. to help assure that it happened. Our name for it is "choice-creating" because it is opposite to "decision-making". Dynamic Facilitation can reliably evoke choice-creating. And the Wisdom Council Process can evoke it in large populations of people.
The ToBe Project isn't just a good-to-have. We must have some way to spark a new level of Collective Intelligence at the global level. And here's a way to do it. It has no identifiable risk and IMMENSE benefits. And each of the eight steps is a benefit by itself.
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 poverty, climate events, racism, authoritarian governments, sexism, biosphere collapse, etc.
- Wars ... e.g. the resurgence of "might makes right"
- Pandemics ... e.g. Covid 19 and Influenza
- Prejudice ... against other races, religions, sexes, etc.
- (You name it ...)
Our global System is based on a simple idea: Establish the "rules of the game" through treaties, laws and norms. This establishes a game-like competition and competitive mind-set, where people and nations compete for money and power. This competition of Special Interests will naturally become deadly as resources are mindlessly consumed and destroyed, with little provision for the Collective Well Being. Ultimately, we must all step back and co-create the "collective will." We must address the Monster Problems collaboratively. Of course, representatives often try and do this, creating treaties for example. But what's missing is a global "We the People," where all of us periodically step back, think together, reach shared conclusions and take steward the well-being of the biosphere and our people. This may seem impossible ... but it is much easier to establish than one might imagine.
Good news: There is a set of social innovations, which provide for this structural change to our System. With enough resources a few people can FACILITATE "all" of us to get involved, think creatively about these Monsters, reach unified conclusions and collaborate to overcome them. This element of collective thinking is likely how humans survived and thrived for millennia.. The ToBe Project articulates step-by-step what "we" (i.e. just us) can do to start this collective thinking process. Individuals in different localities can accelerate this process by convening monthly meetings that we call "Empowerment Gatherings." Each step of the process has immense benefits with no identifiable downside.
The ToBe Project seems utopian because our System limits our thinking. For instance, there are many different words describing different conversations ... like decision-making, problem-solving, dialogue, discussion, debate, consensus-building, deliberation, argument, discourse, etc. But none of them capture the quality of thinking that's needed for our society to work into the future. We need a name for the kind of thinking by which the people can solve impossible-seeming Monsters, a heartfelt, creative quality of thinking by which people appreciate one another's uniqueness and rise to the occasion. Some Native American tribes called it "sacred thinking." And they used the Kiva, talking sticks, ceremonies, etc. to help assure that it happened. Our name for it is "choice-creating" because it is opposite to "decision-making". Dynamic Facilitation can reliably evoke choice-creating. And the Wisdom Council Process can evoke it in large populations of people.
The ToBe Project isn't just a good-to-have. We must have some way to spark a new level of Collective Intelligence at the global level. And here's a way to do it. It has no identifiable risk and IMMENSE benefits. And each of the eight steps is a benefit by itself.
System transformation is necessary
Our System is missing "the essential conversation"
The ToBe Project can add the missing conversation
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.
"Stone Soup"... a model of change we can use
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.
A cartoon description of how it can work
Can we save the world? ... Yes!
Many people and organizations are working to make the world a better place. But our System is is the ultimate problem. Until that is addressed the "Monster Problems" will continue. To "save the world" requires a new level of collective intelligence, which can be achieved by adding "one ongoing global choice-creating conversation" to what already exists.
The good news is that with maybe $10 million dollars and enough people who ""Get" that this must happen we can just begin. The Project may start small but it starts "at scale" because from the very beginning it creates a legitimate symbol of a thinking capable "We the People." And it has a built-in way to involve ever more people with each cycle. There is the prospect of Immense Benefits with no identifiable downside.
The good news is that with maybe $10 million dollars and enough people who ""Get" that this must happen we can just begin. The Project may start small but it starts "at scale" because from the very beginning it creates a legitimate symbol of a thinking capable "We the People." And it has a built-in way to involve ever more people with each cycle. There is the prospect of Immense Benefits with no identifiable downside.
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 ...
- Article: "The ToBe Project: A Shortcut to Global Transformation"
- European Organization seeking to implement the ToBe Project: Adding the Missing Conversation
- Podcast in India: Breakthrough Solutions for a Divided Society” .. with Ajay Khudania 12/2/2024
- Free 5-part seminar: "Essential Wisdom for Solving Society's Biggest Issues"
- See video examples of the Wisdom Council Process working at large scale in a public setting
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