Our Democracy is in danger of becoming a dictatorship. ... Normal solutions can't work to stop the slide because the ulitamate problem is in the system itself, what we call "democracy," but which is really a Constitutional Republic. It's also showing up in the rise of impossible-seeming Monster Problems because there is no whole-system conversation where "We the People" can step back and think about what's going on and what to do about. Actually, just that thinking process IS the answer. Plus, it's way to solve the Monster Problems. Below is a pictorial description of this problem. The Box System is ending and sliding back to the Triangle. But this is a special moment when we (a few of us) can implement the Wise Democracy Project to facilitate the Circle System to come into being. ....
Our Current System (i.e. the Box) IS the Problem
Our Founders wanted to escape from the Triangle System and gain the freedom of a Constitutional Republic. And our Constitution was a great leap forward. But today the Box System, how it's based in competition with inadequate collective thinking , is creating the Monster Problems. And normal solutions and improvements to the System are not enough.
The Wise Democracy Project can make the needed difference.
Normal "Solutions" can't save American Democracy
Below are some "normal solutions,” where people seek to save "democracy:"
- Demonstrate! ... Let others know how strongly you feel
- Call your representative ...i.e. influence decision-makers
- Make your voice heard on social media, letters to the editor, call into talk shows, etc.
- Contribute to politicians who are taking a stand ... and vote to elect “better” decision-makers
- Work on local problems ... e.g. help immigrant families, homeless people and those suffering persecution
- Work on national problems locally ... e.g. Set up local Red/Blue dialogue groups to help heal the partisan divide.
- Raise consciousness ... e.g. Do the inner work and help gather a critical mass of people to affect the culture.
- Advocate for structural changes ... e.g. Ranked Choice Voting, the Citizens Assembly and Proportional Representation
But how can we go forward to the Circle System ... "I don't get it"
The Wise Democracy Project promises to transform our current System, whichever it is, to the Circle System. so that the Monsters stop getting created and can be solved. It is comprised of 8 accessible steps that a few of us can implement. Each of the 8 steps is a benefit by itself that will relieve the collapse of democracy and support the normal solutions to have greater effect. To examine the 8 steps see The Wise Democracy Project.
3) "Getting" how this "holution" works
Getting it—Level 0, where there is little experience with the social innovations. It's important that a few of us to recognize ahead time that the Wise Democracy Project is a "Holution, which must happen if American society is to be sustainable into the future. A power struggle among special interests is not a good basis for collective decisions, especially as ordinary citizens are increasingly excluded. This Project will add the missing, inclusive "We the People" conversation, solve the Monsters and set up a true democracy going forward.
But in general it's really hard to gain that level of commitment without experiencing the social innovations. So most of us can just accept that we are afraid for our country and our fellow citizens, that the normal solutions listed above, even all together, are inadequate for establishing "real democracy," so we can examine the Wise Democracy website with an open mind, seeking to "get it" how this Project can really achieve the Monster Wish ... and spark true democracy. Please examine the website with curiosity and trust, but it's OK if you don't "get" how this can happen because the 8-steps themselves can accomplish a lot.
Getting it—Level 1 ... Let's consider the 8 steps of the Wise Democracy Project. They offer a lot by themselves. For instance, they introduce a new facilitative model of change, not top-down or bottom-up; they turn national attention toward cooperating to solve one vitally important issue at a time; they create a living symbol of all-the-people and set in motion a new national conversation aimed at mutual respect, cooperation and appreciation of diverse views; they create a particular story of who we are, what is going on, what we want, and what we need to do; they assure that this new national conversation is ongoing with all people invited to participate; and they help people feel involved and empowerment, even in the face of seemingly impossible societal issues.
We haven't even started talking about the magical results yet. Just considering the value of these 8 action steps might help you shift some of your attention away from normal solutions toward this alternative strategy.
Getting it—Level 2 ... After the first Wisdom Council ... At this point we will have seen a random group of citizens, from the Blue team and the Red, address some Monster issue and reach wise shared conclusions, even when some people are disruptive or uninformed or stuck in their old mindset. And we'll see that after they present their shared conclusions to "the people," the audience receives this perspective with enthusiasm and support ... and continues the conversation in a more collegial manner than we might expect.
This might not be very impressive because so few people are currently involved. But this is not a process requiring us to "scale up." We have already started "at scale" with a symbol of everyone. As we process with more Wisdom Councils we will gain the participation of ever more people and "fill in" with anyone who find it valuable to join the conversation..
Level 3 ... After the first 3 or 4 national Wisdom Councils. The conversation is growing. Ever more people are involved from the Wisdom Councils, from the different face-to-face audiences, from the growing broadcast audiences, from the various "responder meetings' where people in different localities organize community gatherings to consider what the Wisdom Councils are saying and to visit together, from various "responder meetings," where stakeholders or experts or NGO's etc. meet to talk among themselves and respond. Remember, anyone who hears about the Monster issue that's been chosen and the Wisdom Council's statements is in the conversation, especially if they comment to a friend about it.
Naturally, because we start with a random selection of people and they reach unity ... most people say "YES!" to what they conclude. So new levels of understanding and "getting it" grow from noticing the progression of these Wisdom Councils ... how the number of participants in the public conversation is growing, how the quality of the public conversation is more creative and collaborative than normal and how most everyone is on board with the evolving conclusions.
Level 4 ... After one year of Wisdom Councils. With many more people participating and ever greater clarity shared understanding emerging, this isn't just a voice of the "public interest" to upset the normal power struggle between special interests. What's happening is the emergence of a new, wise collective "We the People," capable of asserting leadership to governance, the economy and the culture.
Level 0 ... Getting "it" from the description ...OK here we are right now before one has had an experiences with Dynamic Facilitation, choice-creating, the Wisdom Council Process, etc. It's just a matter of learning about what are the steps ... and what will these steps do, obviously, to impact the rise of authoritarianism.
The 8-steps are described in the Wise Democracy Amendment
Here the some recommended:
Once you "get it" that this Project can work at the national level and in fact, this Project must happen for American society to be collectively intelligent ... Then a door has opened for you. There is a way for you to dramatically affect the Monster Problem: Loss of American Democracy
But in general it's really hard to gain that level of commitment without experiencing the social innovations. So most of us can just accept that we are afraid for our country and our fellow citizens, that the normal solutions listed above, even all together, are inadequate for establishing "real democracy," so we can examine the Wise Democracy website with an open mind, seeking to "get it" how this Project can really achieve the Monster Wish ... and spark true democracy. Please examine the website with curiosity and trust, but it's OK if you don't "get" how this can happen because the 8-steps themselves can accomplish a lot.
Getting it—Level 1 ... Let's consider the 8 steps of the Wise Democracy Project. They offer a lot by themselves. For instance, they introduce a new facilitative model of change, not top-down or bottom-up; they turn national attention toward cooperating to solve one vitally important issue at a time; they create a living symbol of all-the-people and set in motion a new national conversation aimed at mutual respect, cooperation and appreciation of diverse views; they create a particular story of who we are, what is going on, what we want, and what we need to do; they assure that this new national conversation is ongoing with all people invited to participate; and they help people feel involved and empowerment, even in the face of seemingly impossible societal issues.
We haven't even started talking about the magical results yet. Just considering the value of these 8 action steps might help you shift some of your attention away from normal solutions toward this alternative strategy.
Getting it—Level 2 ... After the first Wisdom Council ... At this point we will have seen a random group of citizens, from the Blue team and the Red, address some Monster issue and reach wise shared conclusions, even when some people are disruptive or uninformed or stuck in their old mindset. And we'll see that after they present their shared conclusions to "the people," the audience receives this perspective with enthusiasm and support ... and continues the conversation in a more collegial manner than we might expect.
This might not be very impressive because so few people are currently involved. But this is not a process requiring us to "scale up." We have already started "at scale" with a symbol of everyone. As we process with more Wisdom Councils we will gain the participation of ever more people and "fill in" with anyone who find it valuable to join the conversation..
Level 3 ... After the first 3 or 4 national Wisdom Councils. The conversation is growing. Ever more people are involved from the Wisdom Councils, from the different face-to-face audiences, from the growing broadcast audiences, from the various "responder meetings' where people in different localities organize community gatherings to consider what the Wisdom Councils are saying and to visit together, from various "responder meetings," where stakeholders or experts or NGO's etc. meet to talk among themselves and respond. Remember, anyone who hears about the Monster issue that's been chosen and the Wisdom Council's statements is in the conversation, especially if they comment to a friend about it.
Naturally, because we start with a random selection of people and they reach unity ... most people say "YES!" to what they conclude. So new levels of understanding and "getting it" grow from noticing the progression of these Wisdom Councils ... how the number of participants in the public conversation is growing, how the quality of the public conversation is more creative and collaborative than normal and how most everyone is on board with the evolving conclusions.
Level 4 ... After one year of Wisdom Councils. With many more people participating and ever greater clarity shared understanding emerging, this isn't just a voice of the "public interest" to upset the normal power struggle between special interests. What's happening is the emergence of a new, wise collective "We the People," capable of asserting leadership to governance, the economy and the culture.
Level 0 ... Getting "it" from the description ...OK here we are right now before one has had an experiences with Dynamic Facilitation, choice-creating, the Wisdom Council Process, etc. It's just a matter of learning about what are the steps ... and what will these steps do, obviously, to impact the rise of authoritarianism.
The 8-steps are described in the Wise Democracy Amendment
Here the some recommended:
- Stay with your energy for change ... These are scary times and most people don't see any possibility of affecting these big issues so they try to "turn off" their caring. And go into denial. So when they check out this Breakthrough they are looking for some way to dismiss it, maybe a phrase like "Thank for your work. Good luck."... Please hang on to your energy of fear about the situation, your sense of empowerment to address it and your curiosity ... "Can this really work to change so much?"
- Review the webpages Solving National Problems (and/or Solving Global Issues) to get a sense of the context.
- Investigate the "HOLUTION," the Wise Democracy Project with curiosity and open-mindedness. It's not a normal solution.
- This is not a normal solution so don't let experts tell you that "there are no easy answers." "Get it" that, of course it's possible to solve impossible-to-solve problems. That's how life works!! ... Check out the free seminar on "Essential Wisdom for solving society's biggest issues"
- If you can, gain personal experiences with some of the social innovations at the core of The Wise Democracy Project ... Try out Dynamic Facilitation and choice-creating on problems from your personal life. Or organize a Wisdom Council Process in your local area. You can go to local government. Or just get funding and do it!
- Recognize that the Wisdom Council Process is distinctly different from other similar-seeming mini-publics, like the Citizens Assembly or the Citizens Jury.
- OK
Once you "get it" that this Project can work at the national level and in fact, this Project must happen for American society to be collectively intelligent ... Then a door has opened for you. There is a way for you to dramatically affect the Monster Problem: Loss of American Democracy
3) Once you "get it" many ways to help remedy the Monster Issues become apparent
OK we need money to begin the Wise Democracy Project (U.S.) and the ToBe Project (global). We think $10 million for each will be enough for the first year and that as people gain experience of how well this works donations will become more available. Please, donate money if you can.
Or you can help in other ways ... helping to raise money; supporting people who express interest; reworking our website; writing articles about your experiences with the process; helping connect philanthropists, climate experts, politicians and social innovators to this exciting new alternative, etc.
Of course, once the national and global Wisdom Council Processes get going there are all kinds of new ways to help. For instance, at each Wisdom Council Presentation we'd like there to be local "Resonance Meetings," where people can gather, hear the Wisdom Council presentation and then talk face to face in small groups.
Or you can help in other ways ... helping to raise money; supporting people who express interest; reworking our website; writing articles about your experiences with the process; helping connect philanthropists, climate experts, politicians and social innovators to this exciting new alternative, etc.
Of course, once the national and global Wisdom Council Processes get going there are all kinds of new ways to help. For instance, at each Wisdom Council Presentation we'd like there to be local "Resonance Meetings," where people can gather, hear the Wisdom Council presentation and then talk face to face in small groups.
Step 4: Are you one of "just us"(national) and/or "just us"(global)
To really get going we need to gather two core groups of people to make the Project happen. Two sets of "Just Us."