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How can we cultivate courageous, non-violent dialogue between youth and power?
Today, August 12th, 2011, the United Nations' "International Year of Youth" draws to a close. It has been a very interesting year—one of the biggest in recent history for youth-instigated riots, uprisings and revolutions. Perhaps not what Ban Ki-Moon had in mind when he made the statement, "Youth should be given a chance to take an active part in the decision-making of local, national and global levels"!
However, I believe their initial intention to sponsor "Dialogue and Mutual Understanding" between the young and the elite was, and is, a very important one. In fact, I would argue that many of the riots this past year could be attributed to a very profound lack of communication between youth and power.
I believe that if we lack a healthy relationship between ourselves and the unknown, it's difficult to be courageous. The young people of today, myself included, do not have any healthy way of relating to the unknown, seemingly mindless politics of their elders. This is why so many young people lash out—it is their violent form of questioning the silent authority. Neither method is indicative of a real conversation.
So my question is this: how can we stimulate a courage that is constructive, based on communication and positive risk, and not merely on reckless deconstruction of the old paradigms (which is not truly courageous at all)? How do we reconcile the passion and novelty of youth with the sensibility and experience of older generations? How do we enable youth to challenge their leaders, and how do we solicit leaders to challenge their youth—in a mutually respectful dialectic? How do we inspire youth to follow the wise words of Buckminster Fuller: "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete"?
Paul van Zoggel
Many things can be done I believe, to start, let youth rethink a city on what it is and how it should function durable. Having these basics is the start of a new model youth can start imagining their collaborative lives upon.
Sharon Turner 500+
This is a very pertinent question and one a vast number of people have been discussing in the media and in casual conversation. I agree with you that often the violence comes out of frustration. Before I even attempt an answer to your question I would really value an answer to mine as this is an area I have also been working on and would value you clarifying one part of your explanation above:
"The young people of today, myself included, do not have any healthy way of relating to the unknown, seemingly mindless politics of their elders."
Could you give more detail on what the mindless politics are of your elders? This is where I think the answer might lie. There has been a huge shift in society but understanding what make young people feel alienated from their elders would be insightful.
Bukola Oladipo
jag . 50+
Erol Toksoy 10+
Curtis Page
Colleen Steen 500+
Violence is not real power, even if it appears that the one who controls the victim is powerful. Violence against others is a sign of weakness and insecurity. A really powerful person does not have to control or violate others in any way. In fact, a really powerful person, will encourage and support others. There are many young people appearing here on TED who know this, and it causes me to be hopeful for our future. They are building "a new model that makes the existing model obsolete". :>)
Alex Blanes 10+
- Jean Baudrillard
Colleen Steen 500+
I believe that intelligence can be very much a part of the new model that is evolving. The new model also embraces respect, kindness, compassion, empathy and acceptance of each other. So, the new model will use the power of love, rather than the power of fear. Our intelligence may grow in a different direction to benefit the whole. This is what I see in the explorations of young people:>)
Curtis Page
I said "power is violence" not "violence is power" (and I wholy agree with you on that), and when it comes time to replace the old model with the new there will be a power struggle (not everyone will want the new model), even if your beautiful smile was selling the new model others would find it equally offensive. As far as the young people on TED, While I believe in thier intelligence and that they will help influence the future (and please understand that I am not trying to put-down theTED youth or say they could'nt learn in anyway), I think a good percentage lack the street smarts and understanding of...let's just say the less priviledged.
Colleen Steen 500+
Sorry if I misinterpreted your statement. I agree that not everyone will want the new model, but it appears that more and more people all the time are searching for a new model, so maybe more people will want it, than those who do not want it. There is power in majority?
I really percieve the youth of today leading this march into the new model:>)
p.s. Thanks for the lovely compliment:>)
liam winters
Joe Fletcher
Untill now. For the first time in human history we are approaching the point were everything we ounce thought extroidinary or immposible is commonplace. We are moving into an era of humanity were all the knowledge of human history fits into your pocket. An era were a child in California can start a riot in Saudia Arabia. Everyone can have a voice a following an idea and give to all world beyond the confines of time and space. Were the people not the government has camera's aand microphones and will spread the secrets of the corrupt to all corners of the world.
What of your wars and econimies when we are learning to grow any object we desire? When we are figuring out how to manipulate matter and to write the very genetic codes of life.
We the youth have seen the way the "wise" elders have run this planet as if they not only do not care about us and those who will come after us but as if they want there to be no more life itself across this place we call Earth, this place we call home.
We are the first generation to know better than those who came before us what the future will hold. We are the first to be able to use the tools of the brightest that have been marginalized by the glittering circus of commercial pursuits. Diesease, war, genocide, inequaility, ignorance of uneducation, these are what you gave us but we will overcome theam, yes we WILL overcome theam. For we are not you we are smarter, connected, and above all else we are aware
The riots and uprisings that have unfolded are just the begining. A pen is mightier than the sword only becuase the pen can raise an army, and our pens write to any one on the planet.
We the youth are not you, who came beforewe are not calling for revolutions anymore but for an evolution that islong over due. long over
Stefan Frischauf
And - who's listening - who's caring about kids any more. There was another quote of the "Sponti-movement" - following 1968 student rebellions here: "You've got no chance - go for it !" - Later it was Punk, saying "No Future" and - "we're the ones, our parents warned us against." Now it's altogether - and - I'm an indignant as much as the guys on Puerta del Sol in Madrid and Placa Cataluniya in Barcelona, in Chile and the Free Gaza Youth kids in Gaza, knowing, that my own kids won't have a chance in a system of barbarianism and cannibalism - such as their father, who always protected his teams in pretty doubtful hierarchies against people, who weren't able to listen. I mustn't say here, that I know, that I'm not an angel - I'm writing my phd without having got a doctoral advisor - the system only offers me its bottom - and - Buckminister Fullers quote is a nice one, but - if nobody listens to your new models, cause everybody's out for quick and unilateral - black and white solutions ? The other day I told my Mom, that she always had said to me that one won't get gifts from the others - I replied - "Well - that's right. I know that and - I always had to work hard to get through many hassles. But - today we're one step further - today everything is taken away from us." Best- sf
Frans Kellner 100+
Mario El Khoury
They can be creative as well as they can be innovative (sometimes very professional).
Colleen Steen 500+
With that in mind, I believe the best way to cultivate courageous, non-violent dialogue, constructive communications, challenge in a non-violent respectful way, is to "be" what we want to "see". We cannot teach the youth something we do not know or practice ourselves. One key phrase in your introduction Alex, is "mutually respectful". We need to be good models for each other.
Good topic Alex:>)
Comment deleted
Bill Harrison 10+
Furthermore, young people are realizing that Marx was right in many ways – capitalism primarily rewards, not contribution, but ownership of capital. We have seen power/money/capital assert itself to obtain ever more power/money/capital for the few, while the disenfranchised poor/young have less power and less opportunity, even in the midst of plenty.
Yet, human rights can and should trump property rights; knowledge/license to act is power, but absurdly high tuition excludes young people from power; and a political system based upon one man, one vote is rendered unfair/obsolete by the fact that votes can be bought through propaganda by the wealthy.
And under such a system, in which the deck is completely stacked against the poor and young, and in which old politicians, educators, and those in power are completely clueless as to the lack of opportunity for young people in the midst of plenty, is it any wonder that young people around the world are rioting?
After millions of years of evolution, we have evolved a sense of fair play for a reason – we understand that systematic unfairness leads to instability and violence, which isn’t good for anyone. It is unfortunate that the old, the wealthy, and the powerful believe themselves above this evolved instinct.
http://www.livescience.com/9847-brain-fairness-spot.html
There will come a time, I believe, when the few haves will fear the numerous have-nots. And if the old, the wealthy, and the powerful do not give some power and opportunity to the young and disenfranchised peacefully (through the first two models, for example), it will be taken violently. Which I believe, politically incorrect though it may be, is as it should be.
http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/05/top-one-percent-201105#gotopage1
Bill Harrison 10+
First, as I and others have argued, we need a cheaper, more flexible educational/licensing system that respects young people's time and lives and talents. To get respect, our educational system must give respect, and it currently does not do this.
http://www.ted.com/conversations/1650/in_2011_is_it_possible_to_mak.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/science/16stanford.html
Second, our political processes (at least in the US, I don't know about Canada) have been hijacked by those who currently have power. For example, the for-profit media tends not to report on publicly financed elections, possibly because they benefit disproportionately from high campaign costs. Congress is filled mostly with millionaires who still must spend most of their time dialing for dollars, and so only those officials who support the "haves" (generally older people) or well-funded lobbyists stand a chance of being elected. As a result, young people's tax dollars go to support those who already have money and power, and social inequality increases.
http://fairelectionsnow.org/
http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4741359
If the first two changes do not occur, i.e., young people are excluded from jobs or an excellent education at a fair price AND from a fair political process, then I think rioting/violence is inevitable, because there will be nothing to counter rising social inequality. The wealthiest 1/5 of the US owns 84% of the wealth, and the bottom 2/5ths own 0.3%. This is in the US, supposedly the "land of opportunity." In the UK as well, they used to have financial incentives so people could stay in school past 16. The UK get rid of those incentives, reduced opportunities for the young, and this contributed to the onset of violent riots.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/business/july-dec11/makingsense_08-16.html?3
Courtney Pierce
"Knowledge is power, and with that power comes great responsibility." - Spiderman Comics or movie
Music or Art is a great non-violent way of releasing pressure.
Leila Oicles
If we really look at youth, then see them as a mirror of what we have taught by example and also a reflection of what we believe them to be or even should be.
Yet the youth is very resourceful, creative and quite capable....even more so than some elders and authority figures. I read of a 12 year old boy who began a program to feed the homeless using food that restaraunts would otherwise dump in the trash. There are youth today that actively run their own businesses online...successfully. The problem isn't about the youth needing to be respectful of elders and/or authority so much as the need to involve our youth in communities, projects, and encouraging them to find and use their talents to contribute to society. As Gandhi put it "be the change you wish to see in the world"
How can we ask them to respect us when we in turn do not respect them or what they have to give? How can we tell them to respect us when many adults do not show respect to their elders and authority? How does authority get this respect when they use the same methods of change you speak against?
Ali Abid
We cannot continue this sort of liberal approach to the youth, by giving them endless independence and liberty to do whatever they like, whenever they like, they require good discipline and mentorship whichs tarts from teh family.
Salim Solaiman 50+
Good news is, I feel today we have better opportunity than ever to cross pollinate ideas , thoughts across the age groups, race, community, countries etc etc TED itself is an example there are lot more.
Challenge is how to come up with executable actions targeting peace and humanity through this kind of dialogue or exchange of ideas.
Luigi Vampa
That "gap" really exist o rwas just a false flag in the sixties?
Earlier? When? Before what? After what?
Which wars were created by elders? When ? Where?
Martyrs?Who? In the name of what?
In your first paragraph you affirm. In the second you "feel" ...so your ideas are confuse, or a very strict and accurately knowledge? Or is just your opinion?
Salim Solaiman 50+
Go beyond 60s, look in to World War I & II and far beyond in history of crusade, who created all those wars ? Were not they elderly generations of their time ? Who fought and died ? Were not they youthful youngs ?
A couple of times I was in cemeteries of 2nd world war in my country , reading the tomb stones , found most soldiers died were in their early twenties.
Who are fighting and dying now in Iraq or Afganistan ? Who created those wars ?
Do you think there was a open dialogue between youth & power centers who are elders almost all time (exception is Alexander the great being too young ) before starting those wars ?
My feeling is about todays situation & projection of future , and my opinion based on facts was about past, so it's not confusion.
One can conclude on past only , for present & future no one can be that sure to conclude anything :)
Alexander Scott-Baker
What did strike me about the UK riots was all media commentary was made by establishment figures, MPs, police commissioners even youth leaders but there was no-one commenting who would make an impact on those youths who were carrying out the rioting, therefore whatever was would be instantly ignored. In that respect, I think it is an issue of communication, but not what is said but how it is said and through what methods.
This issue goes beyond a youth/power divide in the respect of who and who is not disenfranchised. Again, power, influence and privilege is as much around class, social status and background as it is age.
There is also a high degree of expectation management to be had as "youth" occupy fundamentally different informal social structures to those that adults (mostly) happily slot into. This is also true of what concerns the majority of youthful energy. If one were to collect all energy generated by young people, realistically what percentage would be concerned with issues of social leadership, development etc and how much of it would be concentrating on sex, friendships, fun, testing boundaries etc?
All the youth led changes that have happened have had a high degree of crowd psychology at the heart of them, which we know to be fundamentally different to how individuals operate - excellent discussion of that here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b0132p8c/
Something that is, in my opinion, strictly to do with age is world view - Is it about finding middle ground between two opposing world views and weighing up the relative importance of the issues that need resolving? But how do you get participants to understand the other point of view?
Andrea Morisette Grazzini 30+
Suggest you consider reading Harry Boyte's writing. He is very interested in and quite respected regards non-violent social movements. Among many he's worked with is Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. He very much sees youth as critical to culture change. And, to that end, is co-director of Public Achievement. Which works with student groups around the world.
Andrea
Andrea Morisette Grazzini 30+
I suggest: Seek and illuminate your shared "hidden humanity." This is not about your causes nearly as much as your essential characters. Who is the deeper person behind both?
This requires:
1. Engaging leaders where they are at, ideologically. NOT through manipulating your message, or for that matter assuming their whole picture. But rather by reading up on them and, better yet, asking them. What are they doing that you can connect to/with? Whats authentic behind the rhetoric?
2. Show what you have beyond your cause. Consider and share how this may be of value to them.
3. Develop ongoing deeper relationship around sustainable topics. Do they have a child who is struggling with something you also care about? Have they experienced something you do as well? Match energies around these.
4. Be open to, but not over-awed by their expertise. Seek their expert advice. Try to speak at their level, but listen, too. Demonstrate you hear them, if you disagree, do--but not with everything. Interrupt if they begin putting you in "follower" mode too much by launching overly stump type stuff.
5. Remind them how risks they took earlier in their career paid off and/or how others took risks to develop relationships with them that helped them achieve whatever their cause is/was. Don't expect transactional return here, but do name their return on investment for risking dialogue with you.
6. Show them how your needs and ideals are not so different from theirs. Best to do this NOT by convincing them you are right (even if you are) but by showing them where your needs and ideals intersect with theirs.
7. Model commitment to constructive communications by: communicating constructively. No need to spend much time fawning and flattering. But do draw them in by noticing things to build on. Specifically constructive points you agree on. Then--IMPORTANT: move these to shared action.
8. Show you are a "radical" human: by being passionately humane.
Andrea
Autumn Frisco 10+
Autumn Frisco 10+
VERY IMPORTANT AND POWERFUL. . . thank you for beginning this conversation and all though I am not going to truly respond now I wanted to show my support of the idea!
Renzo Bruni
Jason Hinchliffe
I recall numerous marches I went on as a student where some representative of whatever we were protesting would come out and give a little speech. He'd congratulate us all for being concerned citizens and for being proactive and peaceful. Then we would all clap for oursleves and disperse feeling proud of what active and conscientious people we were.
Then all of our input would be completely ignored.
Second problem, is that frequently, youth's perspective rests somewhere between painfully naive and flat out stupid. So they themselves have to have the humility to be able to realize where they need to mature, and that they do not in fact, have all the answers.
Third problem, is that power has to be willing to honestly engage and educate youth, rather than placating or patronizing for the sake of getting them to shut up.
So step one, I think, starts with completely overhauling the education system, to do away with dogmatic thought processes and create an environment of curiosity, where youth are encouraged to challenge their preconceptions and beliefs. As the father of a teenage girl I can tell you, there is a great deal of social dogma taught in school. Once these youth take over, they will have a better perspective and ability to communicate with youth of the next generation. Youth of the next generation will also be encouraged to have more open dialogue. So I don't see any quick fix, but rather a slow transition by changing current paradigms.
Renzo Bruni
Renzo Bruni
(my commentary has been censored, since I initially referred to a scatalogical sibilant initial anglo saxon word that Jason used previously - but even his use of that word was censored and amended to 'pooh pooh') So I agree that politicians would have to give a 'pooh pooh' in order for the political goals of youths to be considered..................
Jason Hinchliffe
Our powers that be have to start a new paradigm in communication. Oftentimes meanings are lost in translation. The idealism of youth can make it hard to communicate with the cynicism of age. it's like they speak two different languages.
I propose they being a campaign to "Stop, Hear, Interpret, Translate".
Once our leaders can S.H.I.T. properly, then things will flow between youth and power, rather than simply having input "flushed away". Our youth also need to S.H.I.T., as does everyone really, to clear our channels and do away wth the pungent rumblings of discord caused when we are restricted.
Renzo Bruni
Here's to acronyms! And when it comes to pOOp, sometimes you're the pigeon, sometimes you're the statue. Did they not execute Socrates for 'corrupting' the youth of Athens? Youth are frequently idealists but that is in itself good. To each thing there is a time. Turn turn. We get cynical as oldsters and we need kids preaching revolution (figuratively intended) to balance our views.
Stop Hear Interpret Translate.
Andrea Morisette Grazzini 30+
May I suggest giving a CRAP is more apropos to Alex's Q:
Constructive
Rhetoric
Activates
Progress
Andrea
Jason Hinchliffe
Andrea Morisette Grazzini 30+
There could not be a better time for a Facebook-movement campaign themed on this definition of CRAP.
I suggest calling it: Give a CRAP.
This all very much relates to DynamicShift (http://dynamicshift.org).
It's a cross-partisan, multi-sector productive dialogues initiative I started in late 2009 when it became clear that polarizing rhetoric was the core problem, behind the bigger problem, and that media was amplifying the effect. The strategy is to ignite counter-attentions, in part through provocative, but non-polarizing agitation.
The CRAP campaign certainly fits this criteria. . .
DynamicShift, in turn helped inform a much larger national movement, started last Fall, led by colleagues of mine at Center for Democracy and Citizenship who are working with American Association of Colleges and Universities, American Democracy Project and other groups. If this gets rolling, I'm sure they will be very interested in helping spread the word.
I'm onboard. Just need someone to start the FB page!
Andrea
marxie arica
Paul Lloyd
The current world is contolled by economic greed and democracy is an illusionary bone tossed to the masses. Until we change the world economy from currencies to Humanitarianism and Compassion not much will change. The greedy and self indulgent minority of the population has more than enough power to squelch the odd riot or rebellion.
This has to be a ground swell movement, and you are on the right track. Honest, open discussion of ideas in a repectful manner is the only way we will change the world.
Ed Schulte 50+
"So my question is this: how can we stimulate a courage that is constructive, based on communication and positive risk,"
and
"I believe that if we lack a healthy relationship between ourselves and the unknown"
Suggestion
Read and promote Dialog around Eckhart Tolle's 'A New Earth'
Alyson Irvin
I dont think they are. I think they know very well what they are doing, and the sense that they are deluded comes from the way they label their actions to convince us to go along with them. "Humanitarian" wars, are rarely humanitarian, they are economic. Our leaders are not unaware or deluded that they have economic goals, and that their motives are economic. We are. Because they cannot sell a war to the people by saying, "we want you to pay with your tax dollars, and your lives, to help us overturn a government that is not playing ball with the economic powers that fund us, and secure access to the resources in that region to enrich them" and so they make up stories that they know will work with us. "We are liberating x people from horrible tyranny" or "this leader is endangering you, and we must stop them now for your sake."
They arent deluded about what they are doing. They know precisely what they are doing. We are the ones who are deluded or half deluded about what they are doing. Because we accept at face value the labels they slap on their actions. Until we start looking past the labels, and until we start naming their actions ourselves, based on what is REALLY in the package they are handing us, we will be spinning our wheels.
Democracy is another label we need to look beneath if we want to solve our problems, really solve them. Do we really have that? Is it democracy when the information people need to vote wisely is kept from them deliberately under the guise of "national security" and just flat out propaganda? In a nation when only candidates who have corporate funding stand a chance of being elected? We are spreading something CALLED democracy around the world, but what is it really when we look in the box?
Kevin Liles
I have come to realize in the last few years that in my past I have suffered from the "mis-attribution error". I have grown to assume that leaders and persons in positions of authority will put their personal gain aside in order to improve the organization and those persons they are resposible for. This couldn't be further from the truth. Good leaders are the exception and not the rule. Sadly, there are few examples to emulate.
Your points concerning democracy and the use of terms like "national security' and even others like "domestic terrorism" is nothing but manipulation and worse the general public falls in lock-step and believes what ever they are told. Citizens need to demand more from the government. There is no accountability, no transparency. The government of the past worked for the people- now the people work for the government. The reason- the government has gotten so big that we have to simply accept the actions of this monstrosity. It is merely too big to manage.
Alyson Irvin
I wish I had the solution to the whole problem, but I dont. But I do know for certain that if we dont start by looking clearly at what is happening, and discussing what is really happening, we have no chance of coming up with a workable solution.
Kevin Liles