 We are in a race between communication and catastrophe. We explore our communication rights and how to create a more conscious democracy.
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Thank you both for the fascinating dialogue. It is a privilege to listen/watch
Please consider … as I believe all video authors should… DATING your conversation. Though we would all like our views to be considered as eternal verities,, nevertheless there is always a certain temporality to our words.
And, regardless of whether we realize it, speakers do refer to certain ‘events-in-time’. The reader/viewer-participant needs to be served so he/she might know precisely when that view was spoken.
Didn’t have time to watch the entire show, but wanted to say “good job”. Important topic… don’t know what “conclusions” you came to at the end, but for me a notion of a global media of sorts is enticing *only* if it is inherently democratic in nature (or perhaps anarchic would be the truer word here). That is, the global elite who have no intention of awakening anyone’s mind, let alone everyone’s, would love a global media, as long as they control it. So perhaps the important point isn’t how global it is, but how it is controlled. Both are key. We need a sort of dance between vibrant, local media that tells the truth from a local perspective and a global media that has as it’s goal communication between these local realities. ……
I’m enjoying these thoughts of yours Carolyn. Local media …. local perspective … global media serving to link together the local realities … excellently expressed. I envision the global brain and all the networks linking together, connecting, strengthening.
DITTO TO HARVEY W. AUSTIN, MD COMMENT. FURTHER, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
Great programs thus far. I agree with Peter and Duane that this is indeed a crisis of consciousness. I guess the most daunting obstacle to humanity waking up is real time information getting to people in a way that links the local crises that a community experiences to the interconnected global crisis, and unfortunately the powers that be in the corporate mass media have a pretty tight grasp on the information reins. So,as Peter was asking, how do we do this? I honestly don’t see how we can in time so I’ve stopped watching television or reading the news so much. When I do, I do it consciously and I’ve shared with my family and friends the same ideas of cutting back and watching or reading with a fear/control filter in place. If, during watching or reading, I am taken away from the natural mind at rest, I understand my power to evolve or be of benefit is being compromised. ( I should add “ideally”! I still get caught in the madness. These are trying times!) I believe the internet is in fact merging quickly with television, as Peter said,and as it does the information age will be realized and the Age of Wisdom will follow. Thanks for the awakened show Peter and Duane!
I’m beginning to explore the idea of living in two time lines at the same time. One time line that includes the madness and insanity and another timeline that is developing the world that I wish to live in (which is dynamically activating my IMAGINATION – very enjoyable and stimulating). I imagine the day when this second, more desirable time line, becomes the world that I live in and experience daily. How that will play out on planet Gaia is yet to be seen. I’ve heard theories and ideas of how this will all play out. Currently I’m putting most of my focus in just living into the new desired life, and not worrying too much how the logistics work out (that’s another topic).
Dear friends, what can I say? I welcome the possibility to share this on facebook. You express these issues so very simple and easy. Thank You
An interesting concept, “crisis of consciousness”. But what do we really mean by that? I look at it as an evolutionary crossroad where every decision makes a difference in the direction we take. I look forward to further discussions.
I watched this for the second time this morning (day 9 of the Egyptian uprising). CNN and MSNBC have been finding ways to give us real information; the passing glimpses on the network news programs are often misleading simply by the way the headlines are framed. As in all evolutionary events,the will to change is not developed until the pressure is too great to sustain the status quo. However, those in charge of our media and our politics are really good at creating a sense of urgency, whether to buy new medications or to support invasions.
The global crisis in consciousness is embyonic but rapidly unfolding. The trick is, as Peter keeps asking, HOW the public can take back the airwaves without having to take to the streets by the millions to get the message across that it’s urgent.
Thanks for the nourishing and challenging conversations.
Fortunately in the United States, the public literally owns the airwaves at the local or community level. Therefore, instead of taking to the streets, the challenge is to connect with one another across partisan lines at a community level (liberal/conservative, rich/poor, business/government, women/men, etc.), and decide that we want mature, socially relevant program in order to serve the “public interest, convenience, and necessity.” With that working agreement, we can go into local broadcast TV stations and make legally legitimate and powerful requests for programming in the public interest (this is what we did in the San Francisco Bay Area in the mid-1980s and is briefly described in this program).
Really enjoying the conversation – fascinating to see some of the really big issues man is facing today being discussed from a consciousness perspective. The main problem I see is that most people I see around me (in busy London, UK) are too wrapped up in their own lives to even begin to think about these issues as stemming from a crisis of consciousness. One has to learn about consciousness and what it is and how we’ve lost touch with our unity with the universe – a pretty big task in itself – before linking this to current global problems. My generation, who have grown up in a society of instant gratification, are too used to being fed ‘information-lite’ to really ponder the big questions from different perspectives and in the main are still just focused on getting a job or a promotion or saving a deposit for a home. Many people may consider themselves as ‘green’ and doing their bit for humanity and sustainability but nowhere enough people have the inclination to stop and think about whether it is our whole mindset that needs to change rather than just our behaviour
Its interesting watching this show on youtube (streaming from my iPad on to my TV via appleTV in Madison). The connection between television and internet is happening; and it is really quite an amazing experience via Apple’s AirPlay technology. This seems to be the missing link between TV and the internet.
Another interesting and fascinating topic is that I’m watching this on the other side of revolutions that have happened throughout the world. With tunisia, egypt, libya, and the middle east I have witnessed the revolutions on my TV via NBC nightly news. The internet and social media no doubt had a major part of starting the seeds of opposition and creating connections reaching towards a critical mass; then burst open on the airways… continuing even after the internet had been shut down in each of those regions.
The battle playing out here in Madison, WI (I’m watching from Madison). Seems on a similar scale and appears to be an us vs them (powerful corporate interests vs the workers unions). Ego vs society as a whole; budgets slashed for teachers, nurses, students, the poor, while rewarding tax breaks on investment… locking the people out of the state house; ramming a bill through the house, and then the only recourse being the senate dems sitting outside in IL…
Switching to global consciousness; and seeds and battles/revolutions repeating from the 60s (I was not alive then). I’m seeing the patterns redeveloping as police and state troopers are on the steps of the Capitol.. hoping for a peaceful revolution..
Duane’s solution of having a community conversation in which all of the stakeholders are represented; in an open forum on television, with feedback from the people is sorely needed in these times. What I currently see in Madison are two camps; but not much conversation. No give and take. The Gov has already said that there is nothing to negotiate.
In the end, I am sensing a conflict that is playing out; growing pains towards a new consciousness in the global brain (as Pete has described). Waves are crashing together on this civil war of our time, with the battle field right here in my back yard; Madison, WI.
Perhaps a new reality that we are moving towrads is this: we are growing out of our old institutions (unions, political parties, corporations) and moving towards a new model that will utilize the new tools and technologies towards a more sustainable future. The world is growing up; shifting from the ego of a young teenager towards hopefully a nurturant parent. What we are experiencing is the confusion, optimism, fear, hope, and anticipation of the evolution. Hopefully we are able to breakthrough rather than break-down.
I’m noticing the more I’m in fear, the more contracted I become, and have little internal “space” to listen to the other’s view. Currently, here in SF Bay Area there is a big movement happening to protect our homes from the dangers of the new Smart Meters being put on homes and a wide range of 24/7 dangers they pose, in homes, our health and neighborhood impacts. My fears make it very hard to stay open minded and instead anger covers up the fear and it gets very complicated. The challenges of embodying “enlightened concepts” become very real in a day to day environment. I feel it’s the polarization that’s one of the biggest challenges and obstacles.
It seems to me in many of these heated issues we deal with … there are the nay-sayers (don’t worry .. it’s no big deal) vs. those who want to bring all aspects of the issues out into the light. And a dozen other variations on those themes. And FEAR seems to cloud any ability to really get to the heart of the matter.
I’m finding this business of fear getting to be very tiresome.
Shema,
I agree completely, fear and isolation have a contraction effect on my “self”, while hope and love expand my awareness towards realizing we are all connected.
Mark
I dont understand why both of you – here and in your books – fail to point out that it isnt “we”, it’s a super-rich transnational-corporate elite that is keeping humanity stuck in low-frequency ego consciousness.
Guys, they dont want the “conversation” you are talking about and they will do whatever it takes to stop it. I’m not saying we should give up our higher Vision of what humanity can be. I’m saying let’s be realistic about the utter ruthlessness of the elite we are up against: they are systematically destroying our democracy and creating a country of feudal serfs, and if you look around the world you will notice they dont care about “the people” at all.
Duane, I just ordered a copy of Awakening Earth basically for the chapter on Continuous Creation, and I remember when I was reading it in the mid-90′s I was repeatedly brought back to the fact – over and over – that you talk about the obvious things we need to do as a species but offer no way to alter the political-economic stranglehold the elites hold that is stopping these developments.
Now here we are 16, 17 years later and little has changed. And, for example, Yeltsin is NOT a good example – he ushered in gangster capitalism, hardly an improvement.
Bottom line: you guys need to get way more radical. We are out of time. Yes, we DO need millions in the streets.
Thanks for the powerful comments Joseph. After ten years of non-partisan community organizing at the grass roots level (both in the San Francisco Bay Area and nationally), my feeling is that it is the passivity of the public that is the biggest challenge. We have allowed ourselves to become lazy in our role as citizens and frenzied in our role as consumers. If the citizens of the middle-East can reclaim their dignity and create a viable democracy, then I think we can as well in the U.S. Power in a democracy is the power to communicate and we can legally claim our ownership of the public’s airwaves and launch a mature conversation, community by community, any time we want if we are willing to come together in ways that transcend partisan politics. Instead of blaming others its time to take back the airwaves for ourselves–as mature and open-minded citizens of an endangered democracy and world. Billions of dollars are being spent on elections for two primary things: 1) to produce 30 second campaign commercials, and 2) to pay exorbitant amounts of money to put those commercials on the air. If we want to change how money drives politics, then we need to claim our rights as citizens as change how we communicate during campaigns. Bottom line: WE do need to get more radical. We ARE out of time. We do need millions putting their views and voices INTO THE PUBLIC’S OWN AIRWAVES. Let’s begin the conversations for our future!
Dear Joseph and Duane,
I appreciate the dynamic conversation. Thanks for the courage to express and explore.
I was listening to a tele-series on the Internet the other day, and the person being interviewed called this medium of communication “a form of alternative media”. And I got it! … yes, WE ARE finding ways to engage in meaningful conversation and sharing of information, OUTSIDE of mainstream corporate “mind control” media. And these venues, such that Pete and Duane are creating here, are another form of alternative media.
The word RADICAL means ROOT. Getting to the root of an issue. I love to remember that.
One radical action is to disengage from as much of the corruption as we can. First identify it, then remove oneself from it. Even within our peer circles, how many are really willing to do that? So we tackle what we can, one thing at a time, whatever area we can manage. Every action will help and we do not know what the ripple effect will be!
There is such a BIG PICTURE that is going on in the world, and NO ONE has the FULL version of what it is. There are some that have pieces of it, as far as what’s going to be coming down over the next few years and decades. No one REALLY knows, and a lot of people have their speculations and versions.
I was reading some reflections by one of my latest favorite writers … just a few days ago. His perspective was that WE really are NOT at fault. I found that opinion fascinating, as I have felt WE have been negligent in letting the DARK get such a stranglehold on US. But, WHAT IF, the dark is SO evil, we never had a fighting chance? This comes from someone who is looking at an eons old historical perspective. And that maybe, just maybe, the time of the dark reign is coming to an end?
The mess we are in did not happen overnight. And consider it is bigger and older than we can possibly imagine. I find there are very few people I meet who are even willing to have this conversation. There’s a CLUE there. Why do people not want to go there? That’s a discussion in itself.
For me now, I’m guided to be sure I get my own home in order (inner and outer) and to simplify. That’s been a huge challenge in itself! Be ready and open to LIGHT and LOVE … or at least get better at cultivating that in myself. And show up fully every day in awareness and heart.
It’s show time folks. Things are really speeding up. Find out what is most important to each of us and give our passion to that. It’s about quality now, not quantity. Bring forward our wisdom in the choices we make daily.
Do our best to recognize when even mass movements, and even New Age perspectives, could be manipulations of the dark force. That’s when my mind really gets loopy. Meaning … what IF, much of what I’ve held to be true … may not be true at all! Or said another way, best TO … in ALL WAYS … be alert, not automatically taking something to mean what it looks to mean on the surface.
Shema,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree with the themes of hope, love, and light vs fear and darkness.. The different movies and songs are running through my head (Star Wars, the Beatles, and the new Mumford and Sons album).
In the end it may not be one side winning over another, it may be a reconciliation and recognition that each other exists. While the internet and social media does make it technically easier to connect with each other, realistically we are just connecting with those that we agree with. The effect is an amplification and segregation of ideas, no compromises or truths being reached.
I wonder if that some times it is necessary to drop down a level, have a discussion and engage, then rise up a level and reach a resolution.
Mark
A portion of a further message from Joseph:
…My message is still the same: you and Peter and the whole New Consciousness Crew — Barbara Marx Hubbard, Wilber, Roger Walsh, Fred Alan Wolf, Michael Murphy, etc., need to get more radical and start putting it all on the line. Says here on the dust jacket of Peter’s book that his corporate programs have been applauded by…British Petroleum. Um, these would be the same ….. getting away with murder in the Gulf of Mexico. And that’s the point Duane. As I recall, you got grant money from Laurance Rockefeller to write “Awakening Earth.” And I remember, while reading it 17 years ago, wondering,”does he see how this compromises his perception of the factors retarding the evolution of consciousness on this planet?” Well, I know you guys have good hearts and that you meant well, but the point is, all of that is no longer enough, so please pass that on to your networks. Seriously Duane. This is it. The next two years are crucial…..
Warm regards, Joseph
Outstanding conversation and so important to explore if the evolution of consciousness is to “include” (the currentgood) and “transcend” to the next higher level of development without “hitting the evolutionary wall” as you say. Thank you for the outstanding presentation and I look forward to following you excellent programs.
Just starting to watch this series of videos and I picked this one first because of the content of another podcast that discussed the issue of ‘civility’ in this country as it relates to the use of media. Your discussion ties in beautifully with it and is very enlightening. However I have one additional concern not mentioned in your conversation that greatly concerns me. And that is information integrity with regard to the content of what is communicated over the airwaves.
In the political realm we are all aware of the distortion of information that is offered thru the media and the underlying dilemma is that there is no referee (other than FactCheck.org) available to sort out the right and wrong of what is presented. In addition by far a large percentage of the population will simply not take the time to sort through the myriad of facts and opinions to identify the most appropriate perspective of the problem and possible solutions. Instead they listen to those who are most animated and controversial in their presentations which is what the corporate world wants because it draws the biggest audience and the most ad-driven revenue.
Of course in the complexity of the world today the appropriate answers are quite often not obvious and even the so-called experts are not clear as to how best to proceed. We are living in turbulent times where quite often the answers are derived through trial and error. I guess that is the theme song of evolution.
The other podcast I mentioned above was recently broadcast by the Jefferson Hour with Clay Jenkinson, a Jeffersonian scholar, and the subject as I mentioned above was Civility (Show # 904) which you can access from the link below. I highly recommend it!!
http://www.jeffersonhour.org/?id=16
Peter & Duane
I am sure when you have this conversation you never imagine what is happening now in the so call Arab Spring. Yes I believe in the surface there is the activity of the airwaves but I feel that a more powerful and fast waves are been use to connect the Global Brain….. I also would like to comment something more tangible for now and it is that when I use the iPad is not possible to open your videos maybe you can fix it as I enjoy your conversations.
Love
Thank-you so much for this wonderful conversation! As I marvel at the interactive possibilities that the internet now provides us as a human family, I find myself pondering the interactive nature of this universe we live in (this universe we are?) and am thrilled at the prospect that my own personal desires in relation to our evolution as a species, are telegraphed to its farthest reaches. What we each contribute to that energy, to that conversation, does matter. This is not a zero sum game, and our voices are collectively louder than the sum of each of our respective whispers. Much love to you both.