I’m finishing up a new piece — this one on Ukraine and the need to address the most important and misunderstood causes of war. I’ll probably be sending it out tomorrow. In the meantime, though, I’ve got a few questions.
The point of The Whole Social has been to foster a discussion around big picture societal change. With every article, I try to look at some part of the bigger picture, usually taking current events as a starting point. The reason I’ve taken this approach is because I don’t think real systemic change can happen if we don’t see the whole system — the whole social organism — so we need to start developing that kind of viewpoint.
I see it as a collective effort. Ultimately, it will have to be if it’s going to get anywhere. Rudolf Steiner is my main source of inspiration — he’s brought the broadest and deepest pictures that I know of — but I’m interested in anyone with a real insight into social life, and especially into the healthy dynamics of society.
So my first question is: What writers do you think have the most insight into social change, and especially big picture societal change?
I want to continue to broaden this conversation and bring in whatever voices can add to it. That means other thinkers and authors, but it also just means you. I’d like to see The Whole Social become as engaging a learning community as possible. The problems we face aren’t easy, and their solutions won’t be either, so I’m interested in really bending our minds together. I learn a huge amount every time I write an article, but I don’t think I’m getting it all right :) It’s a work in progress. I’d love for you to add to it, challenge it, help it progress.
So my second question is: Are there ways that you could imagine The Whole Social being more engaging?
I’m super grateful that you’re all taking up this work with me — that you’re trying to perceive the big picture and think these thoughts. I think it’s vitally important, which is why I’ve made it one of my main tasks in the present. Any ideas for how to grow this work would be super appreciated.
Also, I’d be grateful if you can help spread the word. It makes a huge difference whenever you forward an article on to friends, or even if you just “like” it on the website. And anytime you feel like commenting — if you have questions, or if something doesn’t sound quite right, or if it all rings perfectly true, or if there’s just another picture you want to bring to the table — I’d love to hear it. A number of you have been emailing me after I publish a new article, which is fantastic, but I’d also love to hear from more people in the comments section — that’s where a larger discussion, with more voices, can happen.
And one last question: Are there specific topics you’d like to see addressed?
Thanks so much for engaging with these ideas, and for the work that each of you strives to do in the world,
Hi Seth and greetings from Finland - the world is shaking and this geographic location does not feel the safest at the moment...
Thank you for the questions. I have not been able to read all the articles, so you might have touched already the following themes - but as I was thinking what could be interesting theme and instead of a individual thinker or stream of philosophy I actually because of the present situation in the world politics (referring of course the Russian military actions in Ukraine and how it is making also the North Europe shake) came up with the question about the "Scandinavian/Nordic model" - so the welfare states of Scandinavian (meaning the political/economical/larger Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Åland, Iceland and Faroe Islands), the philosophical background and also how this model is based strongly (but I think nowadays more and more indirectly) on the so-called "threefold social order" through the ideals of the French Revolution of freedom, equality and solidarity (or: "brotherhood" - as they formalized it back then). These links comes from a strong basis to Hegel, Kant and to some small extend to Schiller's ideals and naturally one can find then bridges to the thinking of Goethe, Steiner, Beuys and Perlas.
So it could be interesting to look how the so called social three folding has been tried to be implemented in the Nordic/Scandinavian model and how it has partially succeeded and partially failed. Nobody of course calls it the social threefolding, but for instance ideals of the French Revolution are strong basis of the Social Democratic parties in the North Europe - this is one of the first things Wikipedia mentions about the political parties.
But naturally the so-called "Scandinavian/Nordic model" is not in any way perfect and the good ideals that have been most visible in the educational system are slowly crumbling down - in some of the Nordic European countries the development is faster and some slower. But there has been periods (if I have understood right - specially during the 70s') where I have got to understand that the model has been historically pretty unique and in principal from a point of view of societal change (for the citizens equal possibilities of gaining education) quite groundbreaking.
How this is linked to the present world politics is that for instance Finland has throughout the cold war up to day had to invest enormous sums to the military defence (due to the long border with first Soviet-Union and now Russia), which of course has meant strong cuts from social/cultural/welfare budgets. One can only imagine where would the country be in a social, cultural and welfare sense without these investments (and of course the point is that Finland is already scoring quite high on these polls - despite the incredible military investments) - of course - the actions done now by Russia shows that the efforts done for military have been unfortunately for nothing.
I do not wait for you to write an whole article about this theme (which probably is not that interesting for "The Whole" audience), but maybe if you do write an larger article that touches these themes - like future of education or something like that, there could be certainly something to dig in the North of Europe. Naturally if you do find the theme interesting, there are bunch of common friends around these corners who are probably more than happy to point you some interesting subjects related to the topic to study and research.
The Whole Social could be probably more engaging through small events or even conferences. I think these could be small and local first and then build up from there and maybe in the end have some events internationally. I am sure there would be plenty of people interested to partake in an event that deals with the topics you are presenting. Funding could surely be available - specially if you do it in the North Europe ; )
Maybe it is a bit boring to say this, but I guess social media is the way to go - so facebook group (or do you have one already?) and/or YouTube Channel with short interviews and/or talks could be fun and interesting addition. This chat is already good, but one has to log in to write this comment and that might result that some people do not leave a comment.
Thank you for the good work and I wish you inspiring flows Seth!
I'm grateful for your recordings of the essays. Reading "important stuff" off screens doesn't work for me (old, Luddite - I print out all my Transforming Society lessons), so the audio is awesome.
And as an aging Luddite, I am not full of suggestions for sources and platforms. Would a podcast make sense? Or since everyone already has a podcast, is the way to stand out to not have one ;)?
The big topic for me right now is: How to wake folks up?? We are so immersed, enmeshed, permeated and pickled in the message, the pseudo-reality of the Status Quo. How do we even begin to get to the point of realizing there might be questions to ask?
Hi Seth, I am new here and looking forward to meeting you when you return to Viroqua. I have been thinking on this since I received your email.
To answer question 2, if you are willing, I, for one, would listen to a recording of your articles vs reading them. Screens are a bit of a barrier...the human voice so much more personal.
And for question 3, a meditation or question to take into our lives would meet those of us who have space for our own thinking but not time for taking in too much of another's thinking. Said another way, it's partially time limitations but also I know I have to limit influences that come my way as it affects my own clarity, but I want to be here in this work and be part of this in the way that I can. Thank you for asking.
I have recently become aware of Chloe Valdary. She created an anti racism program called The Theory of enchantment. It is rooted in philosophers from Plato to James Baldwin. She offers a counter narrative to critical race theory for those of us who question the way forward.
Hey Seth, nice invite. I find the Rebel Wisdom co-founders, David Fuller and Alexander Beiner, two who are definitely “seeking the same goals”. They present a steady stream of today’s most socially complex thinkers. John Vervaeke for example. Just this week David interviewed Gary Lachman about his new book Holy Russia including mentions of Rudolf Steiner. As a ‘Member’ of the Rebel Wisdom community I participate in their monthly inquiries into the Q’s of the day. The breakout group discussions are always worth the 60 mins. Fuller and Beiner personally lead them and so we members help shape the conversation. They would love you!! They have made Rebel Wisdom into a hub for what they call “sensemaking” out of our current situation. Daniel Pinchbeck is also a fellow Traveller. Then of course there is Hanzi Freinacht. The overarching theme for all these is a shared emergent sense of the spiritual that is borne out by science. Richard Tarnas has just put out a documentary about that topic called Change of the Gods.
"Surviving the Future" - David Fleming - is wonderful.
"The Commoner's Catalog for Changemaking" - David Bollier, just out, important to see what is already underway / emerging.
Liquid Modernity - Bauman, Zygmunt
For a feeling sense for people's condition today.
Engagement - forum software is about the only form I have experienced for actual, engaged exchange. No one much uses them - and, there is little engaged exchange.
Hi Seth! Very much looking forward to your new piece! Below are some responses to the questions you posed:
1) I've enjoyed the social commentary that the philosopher Hans-Georg Moeller has been sharing via YouTube over the last year. He doesn't talk a lot about social change, but I think his commentary does imply directions for change / critque sometimes. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnEuIogVV2Mv6Q1a3nHIRsQ);
2) Maybe you could schedule a YouTube livestream a week or a few days after publishing a new piece? You could enable the chat function and take comments/questions from those who tune in!
3) I'd love to see topics like climate change, transhumanism, and ethics around technology addressed!
Paul Wheaton and Shawn Klassen-Koop, Building a Better World in Your Backyard. The next 15 minutes to 50 years.
Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, Permaculture II.
How has the creation of the internet/global communications network changed the context for creating a threefold social order?
Do a room on Clubhouse--an audio app where people listen more than in a text-based one. Steiner pointed out that letters are screwy, and spoken words are somewhat screwy too but less so. Embodied communication makes for much more listening and people have to hear their bodies speaking their words as well as thinking the thoughts. Festinat lente.
Hi Seth and greetings from Finland - the world is shaking and this geographic location does not feel the safest at the moment...
Thank you for the questions. I have not been able to read all the articles, so you might have touched already the following themes - but as I was thinking what could be interesting theme and instead of a individual thinker or stream of philosophy I actually because of the present situation in the world politics (referring of course the Russian military actions in Ukraine and how it is making also the North Europe shake) came up with the question about the "Scandinavian/Nordic model" - so the welfare states of Scandinavian (meaning the political/economical/larger Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Åland, Iceland and Faroe Islands), the philosophical background and also how this model is based strongly (but I think nowadays more and more indirectly) on the so-called "threefold social order" through the ideals of the French Revolution of freedom, equality and solidarity (or: "brotherhood" - as they formalized it back then). These links comes from a strong basis to Hegel, Kant and to some small extend to Schiller's ideals and naturally one can find then bridges to the thinking of Goethe, Steiner, Beuys and Perlas.
So it could be interesting to look how the so called social three folding has been tried to be implemented in the Nordic/Scandinavian model and how it has partially succeeded and partially failed. Nobody of course calls it the social threefolding, but for instance ideals of the French Revolution are strong basis of the Social Democratic parties in the North Europe - this is one of the first things Wikipedia mentions about the political parties.
But naturally the so-called "Scandinavian/Nordic model" is not in any way perfect and the good ideals that have been most visible in the educational system are slowly crumbling down - in some of the Nordic European countries the development is faster and some slower. But there has been periods (if I have understood right - specially during the 70s') where I have got to understand that the model has been historically pretty unique and in principal from a point of view of societal change (for the citizens equal possibilities of gaining education) quite groundbreaking.
How this is linked to the present world politics is that for instance Finland has throughout the cold war up to day had to invest enormous sums to the military defence (due to the long border with first Soviet-Union and now Russia), which of course has meant strong cuts from social/cultural/welfare budgets. One can only imagine where would the country be in a social, cultural and welfare sense without these investments (and of course the point is that Finland is already scoring quite high on these polls - despite the incredible military investments) - of course - the actions done now by Russia shows that the efforts done for military have been unfortunately for nothing.
I do not wait for you to write an whole article about this theme (which probably is not that interesting for "The Whole" audience), but maybe if you do write an larger article that touches these themes - like future of education or something like that, there could be certainly something to dig in the North of Europe. Naturally if you do find the theme interesting, there are bunch of common friends around these corners who are probably more than happy to point you some interesting subjects related to the topic to study and research.
The Whole Social could be probably more engaging through small events or even conferences. I think these could be small and local first and then build up from there and maybe in the end have some events internationally. I am sure there would be plenty of people interested to partake in an event that deals with the topics you are presenting. Funding could surely be available - specially if you do it in the North Europe ; )
Maybe it is a bit boring to say this, but I guess social media is the way to go - so facebook group (or do you have one already?) and/or YouTube Channel with short interviews and/or talks could be fun and interesting addition. This chat is already good, but one has to log in to write this comment and that might result that some people do not leave a comment.
Thank you for the good work and I wish you inspiring flows Seth!
Hey, Seth!
I'm grateful for your recordings of the essays. Reading "important stuff" off screens doesn't work for me (old, Luddite - I print out all my Transforming Society lessons), so the audio is awesome.
And as an aging Luddite, I am not full of suggestions for sources and platforms. Would a podcast make sense? Or since everyone already has a podcast, is the way to stand out to not have one ;)?
The big topic for me right now is: How to wake folks up?? We are so immersed, enmeshed, permeated and pickled in the message, the pseudo-reality of the Status Quo. How do we even begin to get to the point of realizing there might be questions to ask?
Hi Seth, I am new here and looking forward to meeting you when you return to Viroqua. I have been thinking on this since I received your email.
To answer question 2, if you are willing, I, for one, would listen to a recording of your articles vs reading them. Screens are a bit of a barrier...the human voice so much more personal.
And for question 3, a meditation or question to take into our lives would meet those of us who have space for our own thinking but not time for taking in too much of another's thinking. Said another way, it's partially time limitations but also I know I have to limit influences that come my way as it affects my own clarity, but I want to be here in this work and be part of this in the way that I can. Thank you for asking.
Hi Seth,
I have recently become aware of Chloe Valdary. She created an anti racism program called The Theory of enchantment. It is rooted in philosophers from Plato to James Baldwin. She offers a counter narrative to critical race theory for those of us who question the way forward.
Hey Seth, nice invite. I find the Rebel Wisdom co-founders, David Fuller and Alexander Beiner, two who are definitely “seeking the same goals”. They present a steady stream of today’s most socially complex thinkers. John Vervaeke for example. Just this week David interviewed Gary Lachman about his new book Holy Russia including mentions of Rudolf Steiner. As a ‘Member’ of the Rebel Wisdom community I participate in their monthly inquiries into the Q’s of the day. The breakout group discussions are always worth the 60 mins. Fuller and Beiner personally lead them and so we members help shape the conversation. They would love you!! They have made Rebel Wisdom into a hub for what they call “sensemaking” out of our current situation. Daniel Pinchbeck is also a fellow Traveller. Then of course there is Hanzi Freinacht. The overarching theme for all these is a shared emergent sense of the spiritual that is borne out by science. Richard Tarnas has just put out a documentary about that topic called Change of the Gods.
"Surviving the Future" - David Fleming - is wonderful.
"The Commoner's Catalog for Changemaking" - David Bollier, just out, important to see what is already underway / emerging.
Liquid Modernity - Bauman, Zygmunt
For a feeling sense for people's condition today.
Engagement - forum software is about the only form I have experienced for actual, engaged exchange. No one much uses them - and, there is little engaged exchange.
Hi Seth! Very much looking forward to your new piece! Below are some responses to the questions you posed:
1) I've enjoyed the social commentary that the philosopher Hans-Georg Moeller has been sharing via YouTube over the last year. He doesn't talk a lot about social change, but I think his commentary does imply directions for change / critque sometimes. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnEuIogVV2Mv6Q1a3nHIRsQ);
2) Maybe you could schedule a YouTube livestream a week or a few days after publishing a new piece? You could enable the chat function and take comments/questions from those who tune in!
3) I'd love to see topics like climate change, transhumanism, and ethics around technology addressed!
Robes, Penny Kelly. The next 200 years.
Paul Wheaton and Shawn Klassen-Koop, Building a Better World in Your Backyard. The next 15 minutes to 50 years.
Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, Permaculture II.
How has the creation of the internet/global communications network changed the context for creating a threefold social order?
Do a room on Clubhouse--an audio app where people listen more than in a text-based one. Steiner pointed out that letters are screwy, and spoken words are somewhat screwy too but less so. Embodied communication makes for much more listening and people have to hear their bodies speaking their words as well as thinking the thoughts. Festinat lente.
Thanks for asking and keep up the good work.