[OSList] Now What?

Tue Jan 24 14:09:00 PST 2017

Now What ....

In the space/time after the Inauguration when all the marchers have left
town, The Question remains. Now what?

Presumably, The Donald and friends will get on with the business of doing
what they promised. And it seems that in spite of an embarrassing first
several days, they are hard at work. Doubtless others are working equally
hard in opposite directions. Some day we will find out the final result
which could range from Planetary Disaster to American Triumph (as in Great
Again!). Either is possible, neither is probable - and assuming that we are
still here to pose the question: What Next?

It might seem that I am treating the Trump Years as a trivial interlude.
Truthfully, when considered in the context of the evolution of the species,
that's exactly what it is. Trivial. But somehow significant. Trump is but a
blip in the flow of human history - however his significance lies in the
fact that he represents one more symptom of the ending of our familiar world
order. 

We in the USA, to which I might add Western Europe, much of Asia (including
Australia and New Zealand), Southern Africa, and most of South America -
have lived in a blessed time. Not without the occasional natural disaster,
shootings, civil disturbances, or whatever. But it has been good. Folks in
the Middle East and Central Africa will have a different view, but they are
a painful, but distinct minority.

My children, and their children as well, have never fired a gun in anger,
missed a meal, or wondered if they had a place to sleep... Always there.
Maybe not what they wanted - but there. Called: The Parents.

Charlie Kenny, writing in The Atlantic (12/18/2015) said, "The world is
better-educated, better fed, healthier, and more tolerant - and it looks set
to get richer, too." Yet The Donald Says: "The American Carnage ends here."
- With his inauguration. The implication is simple. Disaster is immanent and
He is the Savior! But from what? If Kenny is right, it looks like we are in
pretty good shape. Lots of problems for sure, but definitely headed in the
right direction.

It might surprise you to learn that I am more in agreement with The Donald
than you might suspect. But my reasons would not be his, and any solution I
can see would not include The Donald as Savior. I believe we as a species
are truly at a Transformational Moment in which the world order as we have
known it for the past 75 years or so is dissolving. The institutions,
processes, world views, ideologies that we have lived by, with, and in --
are no longer sufficient for our needs. And. Useful alternatives are not
visible - and that would include, The Donald.

Such a view may appear extreme but it is not mine alone. David Ignatius,
writing in the Washington Post (Jan 20, 2017), titles his effort , The world
order is cracking up. He says: "Donald Trump's inauguration marks a global
inflection point: He takes office at a moment when many analysts see a
transition to a new economic and political order - one where the risks for
the United States and its allies are likely to increase." 

Personally, I doubt that the sky will fall tomorrow. However,  I am certain
that whatever we may have taken to be "normal" will never be seen again. 

This Transformative Moment may be unique in its qualities, but such moments
are by no means unique in human history. The people of Israel found their
world torn apart in 400 BCE (The so called, Babylonian Captivity). It was a
time of fear and terror. It was also a time of massive creativity and
renewal as chronicled, and perhaps led by, such brilliant folks as the
Prophet Isaiah (2nd Isaiah). The Renaissance, The Industrial Revolution -
created havoc and innovation in the West, and similar Transformative Moments
have marked the lives of all peoples on The Planet. I do believe we are at
such a moment, one more time. 

Once again, The Question - Now What? 

In all honesty, I don't know. However, I think Albert Einstein may assist
our wayfinding with the thought, "Problems cannot be solved with the same
mindset that created them." We cannot simply do more and better of what
we've always done and expect to arrive at a different outcome. 

This really is Open Space -  in the best and deepest sense of the words.
Nothing here and everything possible. At once terrifying and verging on
ecstasy. But where to start? 

I rather feel that our common experience of opening space together may give
us some clues. Hardly the Answer, but maybe the beginning. I wish you well
on the journey, which you will take whether you wish to or not. Frankly, I
can't think of anything more exciting!

Harrison

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Websites

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