Metaphor of "Getting it" ... Seeing the Elephant!
To share a breakthrough with someone is like telling a joke, explaining the joke doesn't work. There's only polite laughter and no building sense of camaraderie.
Here's a simple metaphor to illustrate what it takes to "get it" that the Wise Democracy Project must happen:
Consider the age-old story of the blind men who approach an elephant. In this version the elephant is causing impossible-seeming “Monster problems” for the villagers. The legs are stomping the vegetables (e.g. homelessness, diminishment of voting rights, the rise of authoritarianism), the trunk is ripping away the fruit trees (e.g. the maldistribution of wealth) and so forth with other parts of the elephant causing different Monsters. Not seeing the elephant the blind men get to work "solving" these seemingly separate problems. Each of the blind men becomes expert in his problem-area, getting Phd’s and teaching others how to restrain the piston-like "legs" with barriers, or stop the snake-like "trunk" with sharp well-placed hits. But if you and I see the elephant we "get it" that all these seemingly impossible Monster Problems are connected and have the same cause. And that cause is a living being! ... We also see how the so-called "solutions" are not helping. From a logical perspective they make sense but really they are upsetting the elephant and worsening each problems.
Seeing the elephant requires a shift in perception. When it happens, new holistic solution possibilities emerge. Piling some hay away from the garden so the elephant will move to a different location is one possibility that promises to solve all the problems at once. But no matter how much you try to explain to the experts (and the philanthropists) the value of this action, it makes no sense. To them our "hay solution" is clearly wishful thinking and is easily dismissed. To them, we are uneducated about these problems and naïve. They want us to first learn about their field of expertise (e.g. political science) before we suggest solutions to any particular Monster Problem.
The experts are working hard without much progress. Frequently, they say things like “There are no easy answers," or "There will be no Silver Bullet." Unknowingly in these statements they deny human creativity. Of course, there will be breakthroughs. Impossible problems get solved all the time. But not seeing the elephant, they can easily show that all the available answers, like lobbying congress, demonstrating in the streets, running for office, seeking new legislation, setting up bridging dialogues, etc. are just first steps in reclaiming democracy. Critical thinking and reductive thinking are fantastic skills that must be cultivated. But if that's all people do, they make it harder to see the elephant. And to even look! Interestingly, throughout history breakthrough perspectives normally face emotional resistance and suppression.
Once the elephant is perceived, the hay solution is just one of the holistic solution possibilities. Another one might be elephant whispering, where the community comes into relationship with the elephant. Wow! Now the elephant can be a big help. This simple solution is an ongoing structural change to the village.
In American society our Monster Problems seem unsolvable. To "see the elephant" is to "see how our System is causing our most pressing issues." More accurately, as described earlier, our Situation has changed so that our System can no longer work like it once did. The Wise Democracy Project is the elephant whisperer approach, where we work with the System so that it stops destroying us and helps instead. We facilitate all the people to come together as a wise and responsible "We the People."
Nationally: Immense benefits arise
Here's a simple metaphor to illustrate what it takes to "get it" that the Wise Democracy Project must happen:
Consider the age-old story of the blind men who approach an elephant. In this version the elephant is causing impossible-seeming “Monster problems” for the villagers. The legs are stomping the vegetables (e.g. homelessness, diminishment of voting rights, the rise of authoritarianism), the trunk is ripping away the fruit trees (e.g. the maldistribution of wealth) and so forth with other parts of the elephant causing different Monsters. Not seeing the elephant the blind men get to work "solving" these seemingly separate problems. Each of the blind men becomes expert in his problem-area, getting Phd’s and teaching others how to restrain the piston-like "legs" with barriers, or stop the snake-like "trunk" with sharp well-placed hits. But if you and I see the elephant we "get it" that all these seemingly impossible Monster Problems are connected and have the same cause. And that cause is a living being! ... We also see how the so-called "solutions" are not helping. From a logical perspective they make sense but really they are upsetting the elephant and worsening each problems.
Seeing the elephant requires a shift in perception. When it happens, new holistic solution possibilities emerge. Piling some hay away from the garden so the elephant will move to a different location is one possibility that promises to solve all the problems at once. But no matter how much you try to explain to the experts (and the philanthropists) the value of this action, it makes no sense. To them our "hay solution" is clearly wishful thinking and is easily dismissed. To them, we are uneducated about these problems and naïve. They want us to first learn about their field of expertise (e.g. political science) before we suggest solutions to any particular Monster Problem.
The experts are working hard without much progress. Frequently, they say things like “There are no easy answers," or "There will be no Silver Bullet." Unknowingly in these statements they deny human creativity. Of course, there will be breakthroughs. Impossible problems get solved all the time. But not seeing the elephant, they can easily show that all the available answers, like lobbying congress, demonstrating in the streets, running for office, seeking new legislation, setting up bridging dialogues, etc. are just first steps in reclaiming democracy. Critical thinking and reductive thinking are fantastic skills that must be cultivated. But if that's all people do, they make it harder to see the elephant. And to even look! Interestingly, throughout history breakthrough perspectives normally face emotional resistance and suppression.
Once the elephant is perceived, the hay solution is just one of the holistic solution possibilities. Another one might be elephant whispering, where the community comes into relationship with the elephant. Wow! Now the elephant can be a big help. This simple solution is an ongoing structural change to the village.
In American society our Monster Problems seem unsolvable. To "see the elephant" is to "see how our System is causing our most pressing issues." More accurately, as described earlier, our Situation has changed so that our System can no longer work like it once did. The Wise Democracy Project is the elephant whisperer approach, where we work with the System so that it stops destroying us and helps instead. We facilitate all the people to come together as a wise and responsible "We the People."
Nationally: Immense benefits arise
Why it may be hard for people to "get it"?
You might imagine that people would react excitedly to the national Wise Democracy Project: "Yippie! Here's a way that we can all start working together to solve the Monster Problems. And even more, this process by itself sets up a new System of "Wise Democracy." And there is no identifiable risk!
In over 30 years of sharing this idea very few people have responded this way. Like in the "seeing the elephant" metaphor above, the more usual response is avoidance, dismissal, diminishment and even anger.
In over 30 years of sharing this idea very few people have responded this way. Like in the "seeing the elephant" metaphor above, the more usual response is avoidance, dismissal, diminishment and even anger.
Here are three possibilities of why it's hard to "get it," to "see the elephant"...
- No one wants to feel RESPONSIBLE for our System.. We want experts, government agencies, think tanks, religious communities, Congressional committees, philanthropies, or non-profit organizations to "own" our System and the Monsters it creates. So many messages tell us "don't go there," "just work on what you can affect." Systems change seems too big.
- No one wants the Red Pill. In the movie The Matrix, the main character, Neo, is given a choice: To take the Blue Pill and stay in the Matrix, what seems like "reality," or to take the Red Pill and live instead in a reality that is dystopian. Life in the Matrix is preferable by comparison. But the Monster Problems of the Matrix are arising from the dystopian reality. Taking the Blue Pill is to dismiss and avoid being curious about possible breakthrough solutions to issues you care about deeply.
- "Getting it" is scary. The Wisdom Council Process can be applied to organizations or networks, but applying it to society is a special case. It offers no risk to our collective well-being. But it can feel like a death threat to our individual well-being, One lawyer said, "I get it ... once this is implemented there won't be much need for lawyers, will there?" ... He recognized that the Project would threaten his professional life. But he couldn't see how professions themselves would probably be reorganized in a more favorable way. Instead, it's normal for individuals to feel attached to their profession, identity and sense of self. And for the Project to feel personally, like a death threat.
Here are some different ways to "get it."
- Start with a Monster Problem you care about deeply (e.g. loss of personal freedoms, money-in-politics, homelessness, medical costs, the threat of AI) Explore how the Project will remedy your selected Monster. See Solving National Problems (or Solving Gobal Problems).
- Create your BIGGEST WISH for the Nation. Then reflect on the national Monster Wish. Hopefully, you will realize that the Monster Wish contains your wish and the Wise Democracy Project will accomplish your Monster Wish. This is a holistic solution like "seeing the elephant," affecting all the Monster Problems.
- Examine the 2002 book by Jim Rough "Society's Breakthrough! Releasing Essential Wisdom and Virtue in All the People." This book describes a seemingly innocuous Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Think about how things would be different if this process were part of the Constitution. (See the Wise Democracy Amendment). Now all the concerns about implementation go away and it's easier to just consider the amazing benefits.
- Investigate the social innovations which comprise the Wise Democracy Project. One way to do this is to review the free 5-part video seminar: Essential Wisdom for Solving Society's Biggest Issues. Another approach is to take the 3-day seminar on Dynamic Facilitation and the Wisdom Council Process, which provides space for you to work on solving your personal Monsters.
- Investigate the three different "Dynamical Systems"—Triangle, Box and Circle. Note how our current Box System, a Constitutional Republic, cannot work into the future. So, it's a question of whether we go back to the Triangle or dystopia. ... Or, forward to the Circle. One recommended article is "The Circle System"
- If you are already familiar with the Citizens Assembly you might examine how it differs from the Wisdom Council Process. See the chart contrasting the two. Also see other charts of comparison.
- Recognize that Normal Solutions can't work ...Street demonstrations, electing new leaders, civic education, 3rd party social movements, new technologies and even new policies are insufficient to resolve the Monster Problems. They are caused by the System and how it no longer fits our Situation. See Solving National Problems
Good news: "Getting it" becomes easier once the Project begins
After we (i.e. just us) begin the Wise Democracy Project a growing number of people will gain experience with the social innovations and feel a new sense of understanding, ownership, agency and empowerment. Many people will engage in the spirit of choice-creating around these Monsters. And even more people will see that a random group of people from the nation can face an impossible-seeming Monster, reach wise shared conclusions in a short time and spark a creative, collaborative public conversation." It will also become apparent that important changes naturally come from this new "We the People" conversation, even when it's small. Growing experience with the process eventually leads to most everyone "getting it"
Phase 0) ... Let's give it a try
Of course, we would like to be able to describe the Wise Democracy Project and have people vibrate with excitement and agitate for it to happen. But when any paradigm shift is involved, descriptive words alone are rarely enough. It's especially hard when Americans are so attached to the Constitutional Republic, which we often mislabel "Democracy," and to the founding story of the United States. To challenge this can feel unpatriotic. But today this 18th century System is CAUSING many of America's "Monster Problems." And the solution we are talking about leaves all that untouched. It's just adding the missing conversation.
Phase 1) ... Considering the 8 steps of the Wise Democracy Project. Looking at these steps it's clear that all eight steps are accessible. There is no loss if they "don't work." And many within-System benefits would clearly happen. For instance, they introduce a new model of change, not top-down or bottom-up, but facilitative; they turn national attention toward solving one vitally important issue at a time; they create a living symbol of all-the-people; they set in motion a new national conversation aimed at mutual respect, cooperation and appreciation of diverse views; they educate citizens on particular issues as well as the history and logic of our current System; and they help people to feel involved and empowered, even in the face of seemingly impossible societal issues.
A good case can be made for starting the Wise Democracy Project even without understanding the System-transforming aspects. Then as people gain experience with the social innovations it becomes a lot easier to understand the whole vision.
Level 2) ... After the first Wisdom Council ... At this point we will have seen a random group of citizens, from diverse constituencies, address some Monster issue and reach wise shared conclusions. The process works even when some people are disruptive or uninformed or stuck in an old mindset. We'll also see how, after the Council presents their shared conclusions to "the people," the audience receives this perspective with interest and open-mindedness, continuing the conversation in a more collegial manner than we might expect.
At this early stage maybe not so many people are involved, but this is not a process requiring us to "scale up." We start "at scale" by creating a symbol of everyone. And then with each additional Wisdom Council we “fill in” the symbol of “We the People” with ever more people. Anyone who refers to what the Wisdom Council says or the process, even just comments to friends, is a part of it. They have joined the conversation.
Level 3) ... After the first year of national Wisdom Councils. The number of people in the conversation has grown exponentially with each cycle. There are the people in the Wisdom Councils, in different face-to-face audiences, in the growing broadcast audiences, in various "responder meetings”, in "stakeholder meetings," etc. Remember, anyone who cares deeply about a Monster issues and knows about the Wisdom Council's conclusions is in the conversation.
Naturally, because we start with a random selection of people and they reach unity ... most people say "YES!" to what they hear from each Wisdom Council. So there is a growing co-sensus on each issue. And there is growing power for making the conclusions happen ... as individuals and within NGO's, philanthropies, governmental bodies, etc, Also, as the process moves forward there is a growing understanding of the issues, the way change happens, and who we all are as "We the People."
Level 4) ... After a few years of Wise Democracy Councils. Many more people are participating and there is an ever greater convergence of views. People are co-creating new clarity about the issues, their concerns and possible solution strategies. At this point the Wisdom Councils aren't just expressing a voice of the "public interest" that gets entered into the normal power struggle of special interests. It’s the emergence of a new, wise powerful "We the People," capable of asserting leadership to governance, the economy and the culture. Finally, we have a way to escape the usual pendulum swing from conservative to liberal, so we can start making win/win progress that all can support. '
Phase 0) ... Let's give it a try
Of course, we would like to be able to describe the Wise Democracy Project and have people vibrate with excitement and agitate for it to happen. But when any paradigm shift is involved, descriptive words alone are rarely enough. It's especially hard when Americans are so attached to the Constitutional Republic, which we often mislabel "Democracy," and to the founding story of the United States. To challenge this can feel unpatriotic. But today this 18th century System is CAUSING many of America's "Monster Problems." And the solution we are talking about leaves all that untouched. It's just adding the missing conversation.
Phase 1) ... Considering the 8 steps of the Wise Democracy Project. Looking at these steps it's clear that all eight steps are accessible. There is no loss if they "don't work." And many within-System benefits would clearly happen. For instance, they introduce a new model of change, not top-down or bottom-up, but facilitative; they turn national attention toward solving one vitally important issue at a time; they create a living symbol of all-the-people; they set in motion a new national conversation aimed at mutual respect, cooperation and appreciation of diverse views; they educate citizens on particular issues as well as the history and logic of our current System; and they help people to feel involved and empowered, even in the face of seemingly impossible societal issues.
A good case can be made for starting the Wise Democracy Project even without understanding the System-transforming aspects. Then as people gain experience with the social innovations it becomes a lot easier to understand the whole vision.
Level 2) ... After the first Wisdom Council ... At this point we will have seen a random group of citizens, from diverse constituencies, address some Monster issue and reach wise shared conclusions. The process works even when some people are disruptive or uninformed or stuck in an old mindset. We'll also see how, after the Council presents their shared conclusions to "the people," the audience receives this perspective with interest and open-mindedness, continuing the conversation in a more collegial manner than we might expect.
At this early stage maybe not so many people are involved, but this is not a process requiring us to "scale up." We start "at scale" by creating a symbol of everyone. And then with each additional Wisdom Council we “fill in” the symbol of “We the People” with ever more people. Anyone who refers to what the Wisdom Council says or the process, even just comments to friends, is a part of it. They have joined the conversation.
Level 3) ... After the first year of national Wisdom Councils. The number of people in the conversation has grown exponentially with each cycle. There are the people in the Wisdom Councils, in different face-to-face audiences, in the growing broadcast audiences, in various "responder meetings”, in "stakeholder meetings," etc. Remember, anyone who cares deeply about a Monster issues and knows about the Wisdom Council's conclusions is in the conversation.
Naturally, because we start with a random selection of people and they reach unity ... most people say "YES!" to what they hear from each Wisdom Council. So there is a growing co-sensus on each issue. And there is growing power for making the conclusions happen ... as individuals and within NGO's, philanthropies, governmental bodies, etc, Also, as the process moves forward there is a growing understanding of the issues, the way change happens, and who we all are as "We the People."
Level 4) ... After a few years of Wise Democracy Councils. Many more people are participating and there is an ever greater convergence of views. People are co-creating new clarity about the issues, their concerns and possible solution strategies. At this point the Wisdom Councils aren't just expressing a voice of the "public interest" that gets entered into the normal power struggle of special interests. It’s the emergence of a new, wise powerful "We the People," capable of asserting leadership to governance, the economy and the culture. Finally, we have a way to escape the usual pendulum swing from conservative to liberal, so we can start making win/win progress that all can support. '