by Alan Briskin | Politics
Dear Colleagues,
I’ve gotten wonderful feedback on my latest Huffington post, Springtime for Authoritarians, and wanted to share it again for those who have not seen it.
Also, I’ve been in contact with Jonathan Weiler, who is mentioned in the post, and he sent me a wonderful interview he did on CNN regarding the relevance of authoritarianism in understanding our current political climate.
And please LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, and DISCUSS with friends. It is through generous acts of sharing the ideas you value that our collective conversations deepen and bear fruit.
by Alan Briskin | Collective Folly, Conflict, Politics, Self Awareness
In this new post, I write about a meeting with one of my first mentors, whose study of authoritarianism awakened my interest in the subtle interplay between personality and social system. With a nod to Mel Brooks, a salute to Daniel Goleman, and a bow to Maya Angelou, I explore a new generation of thinking about the role authoritarianism plays in our current social and political climate.
Read my latest Huffington Post article.
And please LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, and DISCUSS with friends. It is through generous acts of sharing the ideas you value that our collective conversations deepen and bear fruit.
by Alan Briskin | Collective Wisdom, Emotional Intelligence, Politics
For those interested in applying mindfulness and emotional intelligence to larger social forces, read my latest Huffington Post article.
The political fanning of flames, the surging up of anger, and the demonization of the other are all signals, at the collective level, of something deeply unsettled. We have reason to be cautious and alert to the dangers ahead. However, our inner attitude matters a great deal. If we succumb to despair or simply meet anger with anger, we will fail to bring forward a new ethic that embraces the reality of our interconnectedness. Let us be a growing network of evolutionary humans who meet anger with curiosity and loving resolve.
Please read my new Huff Post article and LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, and DISCUSS with friends.
Warm Regards, Alan
by Alan Briskin | Collective Folly, Collective Wisdom, Politics
One of the core practices of collective wisdom is seeing whole systems. This requires us to step out of our particular bubble and ask essential questions, to diagnose critical relationships within a system, and to work in subtle realms, including what is not immediately apparent. Most significantly, seeing whole systems asks us to embrace both the light and shadow of human interactions, having faith that greater coherence and healthy functioning communities can be a result.
On February 1, Iowa voters will cast ballots in caucuses throughout that state. Political and media pundits will be making grand pronouncements and throwing confusing percentages around like darts in an English pub. In the context of seeing whole systems, I question whether the Republican caucuses are a valid reflection of our democracy or a dangerous distortion. The national consequences are significant, as is our own ability to make sense of the chaos. Please share with friends as a healthy dose of medicine during feverish times. Read More.
by Alan Briskin | Collaboration, Collective Folly, Politics
For the past weeks, I’ve been writing with a growing sense of urgency on the rising levels of fear and divisiveness evidenced in our political process here in the United States and around the world. It occurred to me that I was witnessing a beauty pageant for demagogues. What is a demagogue? This piece is a result of that reflection and concludes with the suggestion that we do not have to be passive participants. The demagogue’s cry for polarization must be our call to honor what we value. Read, like, comment, and share as you please. Read my new Huffington Post piece:
Demagogues: Leaders of Collective Madness.
by Alan Briskin | Collective Folly, Collective Wisdom, Politics
I just published an article on Huffington Post called The Politics of Intolerance.
It’s being appreciated by many and … ruffling a few feathers. Have a look!
