It was recently asked by a coordinator: "What kinds of tools, educational platforms, methods of teaching and activities (aside from changing our own values and leading by example, and calling attention to and educating about the faults of our society and the dysfunctional humanity that has and continues to be the result of a corrupt by design socioeconomic paradigm) would you suggest that can inspire people to embrace new values?"
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I read it a few times and noticed from the way it's phrased that it implies "outside of everything TZM does now", which is a lot! And left me thinking what does the asker think "enough" is? And what are the expectations at play that would imply glossing over the dominant social value system and education? There's too much to skip over when considering communication for me to jump to "what else is there?". The short (non-answer) in my mind is that there are many kinds of "tools, platforms & methods" that can be utilized.
I will say there is a grander scheme at play, that TZM is just a part of. But the larger picture does include global understandings that cross borders, cultures and language barriers. Which the movement IS accomplishing. The ZMF premier of 2011 is a good example. Along with the upcoming 2012 Zday events around the world, crossing those boundaries.
A short answer that comes to mind for the above question is this: Emotional engagement. To elaborate: Peter's films engaged people on an emotional level, which is part of why they've inspired a movement. Many people can "check-out" at the intellectual expressions (aka educational materials) since many of us never developed much mental capacity past being a "consumer of goods", or a "specialization-blinded professional", or you may have been subjugated to fixed world-views that inhibit new information.. Not on-purpose of course (as the word "lazy" would imply in our culture) but as an outcome of social stratification. Which now can be measured as a product of the socioeconomic system (or "agreement") that is in place.
Biosocial Pressure is going to play a large role in what happens, and that's outside anyone's control. When those pressures cross their thresholds of tolerance (and they will) where will people turn?.. To political personalities?, religion? the military? A scientific methodology via a system's approach that acknowledges our connection to the environment, with the intelligent management of our finite resources, minimizing waste and applying efficiency as best as our abilities can produce, to create an access abundance for all the world's people??
Nature won't care what we do. But as a manifestation of the Social Immune System (which is what the Zeitgeist Movement is) I would suggest this: Find ways to create that emotional spark in people so they want to "know" the information for themselves. Just as happened with you. Perhaps through artistic expression? Peter's films are an artistic expression. My townhall presentation on a System's Approach is my version of artistic expression. A radio interview, a Chapter event, a song, a book, etc.. I think the above question can be put on the list with "What is the meaning of life?"... Stuart Chase has a useful way of dealing with such questions in the Tyranny of Words...
