Big Think

Christi Strickland commented on Hoe can we advance ? on January 26, 2008, 2:28 PM

I have to respectfully disagree with this comment. But the basis is one of clear seeing. The clear seeing is that we are all "one" in terms of being radically interconnected. Was it Muir that said, pull on one thing and you tug on everything else. Another person's or group's suffering inevitably contributes to the suffering of us all. And so yes, there is a one-ness that needs to move beyond distinctions.However, if we ignore the distinctions and disparities that DO exist (whether we pay attention to them or not) then we perpetuate the exact problem we would like to end (oppression in all forms). Ignore what IS is not the route to transformation. Racism is rampant and the current Presidential race makes visible what has just been more underground - and for those who experience oppression on a daily basis the problems of racism does not feel underground at all.So my suggestion is that we work with both polarities. That there can be an embracing of our common humanity that moves beyond distinctions. We must meet in the places of our common humanity to work through conflict without violence. And at the some time deeply honor the differences, and confront directly and honestly the disparities in how people are respected and treated.

Christi Strickland commented on Re: Are development and environmentalism incompatible? on January 24, 2008, 12:37 AM

I was just thinking about how part of the problem is the paradigm of inifinite growth to sustain the economy, which sustains livelihoods. Yet collectively it seems that society is slowly coming to terms with the fact that there are limitations to this. It can't go on like this indefinately.New paradigm shift. What is indefinate? Change. Things will always change. What if "industry" thus livelihood was oriented around how to support and sustain change vs. upwards growth of "more." For example, what an incredible amount of work to be done (jobs) to totally reconstruct the systems that generate and distribute power in every household across the globe AND find good ways to recycle, reuse, whatever the material components of the old structures. The business of change vs. the business of more - and always staying on top of the next evolution that does NOT throw away the past and mine more resources (our limited resources) but finds ways to incorporate what we have already taken into the new. Seems like there is a lot of work to be done in the business of change, and money to be made.

Christi Strickland commented on Awareness of Ones own Mediocrity on January 24, 2008, 12:12 AM

Great question. I'm sure this will be the best answer.My first reaction is that if one's self esteem is built up on illusion it's ultimately not really helpful. Better to see the truth. Unfortunately sometimes we need good feedback from others to see it. Too often we decieve one another and say "hey that was great" when.... Ultimately, I think it is the premise of people trying to figure out if they are better than or worse than another that is actually the problem. The system of constant comparison requires then that people pump themselves up or put other down to stay on top of something. When a person stops caring whether they are "better than or worse than" then ironically cutting through the game allows you to see where you actually, realistically excel, where you are mediocre and when you best leave the job to someone else!

Christi Strickland commented on Tolerance of Intolerance on January 24, 2008, 12:00 AM

Thanks, Nameless. Good point and I totally agree. Even the word tolerance has a connotation of judgement, or a certain level of being closed to truly understanding. It implies that there is something wrong with the "other" that can be tolerated. Perhaps the essence here is open vs. closed. And the challenge of being open to someone or a group that is closed to understanding, relating, working with to come to mutual understanding, etc. indeed even valueing or seeing the equally important place for being closed down to understanding. To me that is about is open as you can get, but I can't quite reconcile this paradox given the destructive nature of being closed. Of course paradox is not meant to be reconciled. But the dialogue helps work the tensions. More thoughts out there?

Christi Strickland commented on Is the driving force behind human socio-relationships really fear? on January 23, 2008, 11:13 AM

Yes, I'm glad this is showing in popular media sources. However, we also have evolved new branches of the nervous system - a higher card to play than fight/flight. It is being called the social nervous system or the polyvagal theory. You can also look up info on mirror neurons that illuminate empathic connection.So, we have the lizard brain and the human brain all within. When the lizard has the hand on the trigger it's a problem. If we can learn to cultivate a capacity to operate from our social nervous system, then our human capacities can be put to much more creative use.However, violence, extreme competition (our survival seeming to depend on competing based on current socio/economic structures and culture of being better than other people,)scarcity of resources, etc. all bring out the lizard. But, it doesn't have to..... cooperation and adaptability are much more effective in the long term. There are real threats where we need those instincts, but all too often we behave this way based on percieved threats or threats of our construction.Thanks for listening!