The Hidden Power

Check 5 - Biosphere and People: Diversity


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All lifestyles are accepted – within the constraint of not harming others or the biosphere.


Rather than restate what we have been hearing, our focus here is on the logic of diversity from a governance standpoint - why blind-spots are self-destructive and the embrace of diversity is so enriching.


Talking points:


  • Pluralism and truth
  • Neoliberalism and consumerist monocultures
  • Roots of logic of diversity in need for resilience
  • Tribal societies and settled societies
  • Diversity of capitalist model - Co-ops and Quakers
  • Global monetary system as de facto governor
  • Unity in diversity - not liking someone is less important than burning to death
  • It's a value - the richness of pluralist societies
  • Leadership, certainty and diversity of perspectives
  • Humility: disconfirmation of beliefs as the root of all wisdom
  • Diversity in forms of feedback (language, media etc - vs truth as such)
  • Monoculture in Chinese politics centred on fear of the leader = pandemic
  • ...and culture of target-setting
  • Liberty, Equality, Fraternity - and Swiss National Service
  • ...as a way of escaping our media bubbles
  • ...and developing network of consensus on eg. climate action
  • Listening to people you don't like



Pluralism as a political philosophy

  • on wikipedia

Ibn Khaldun - Berbers and the Maghreb (14th C! Not 10th;)

  • on wikipedia
  • In Our Time Episode

Successful prison experiment in Norway

  • Bastøy Prison

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The Hidden PowerBy Ed Straw and Philip Tottenham