Omega Institute live streamed a politically visionary, on-campus event, Being Fearless: Action In a Time of Disruption, from October 13-15. The inspiring content is also available on-demand through Dec 14. My Oct. 9 article, The Alpha and Omega of Creative Political Problem Solving, offers background.
I just watched the 3.5 hour Saturday afternoon session, which began with the arts. The stunning percussion of the Brooklyn United Marching Band and the performance by Climbing PoeTree & Truthworker Theatre Company set the tone for the afternoon. Both received well deserved standing ovations.
Alixa Garcia and Naima Penniman, Climbing PoeTree
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Climbing PoeTre co-creators and cultural architects Alixa Garcia and Naima Penniman note: "Creativity is the antidote for violence and destruction. Art is our most human expression, our voice to communicate our stories, to challenge injustice and the misrepresentations of mainstream media, to expose harsh realities and engender even more powerful hope, a force to bring diverse peoples together, a tool to rebuild our communities, and a weapon to win this struggle for universal liberation."
Saturday afternoon speakers included:
Tristan Harris, Being Fearless: Action In a Time of Disruption.
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Tristan Harris
The Attention Economy: What is Technology Doing to Us?
"Facebook wants to tell you that Facebook is just a neutral tool. I am here to tell you why this is not true."
"Never before in history have 50 to 100 people working at a handful of tech companies shaped what a billion people are going to think."
"What is best for business and capturing attention is not the same as what is best for people."
"Let's couple profit with choices we are proud of."
Jon Meacham, Being Fearless: Action In a Time of Disruption.
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Jon Meacham
America Then and Now: What History Tells Us About the Future
"I think if we are curious, humble and empathetic, we will have a better chance of listening to our better angels."
"Empathy is essential in politics."
"In a democracy we are only as good as the sum of our parts."
"Three characteristics of great presidents: Intellectual curiosity. Humility. Empathy."
Amy Goodman, Being Fearless: Action In a Time of Disruption.
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Amy Goodman
Democracy Now: The Movements Changing America with Conference
'We will not be silent.' That should be the Hippocratic oath of the media."
"People who care are not a fringe minority, not even the silent majority, but a silenced majority."
Van Jones, Being Fearless: Action In a Time of Disruption.
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Van Jones
Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together
"We have to be the beating heart of this democracy."
"Too often we forget that we need each other."
"The problem we're having is acting like democracy is an app we can download every 4 years. Democracy is hard work."
"Change is hard for people. We can't cut the cord of empathy." "People with a spiritual practice are essential to the conversations we need to have today."
"Hoarding your spiritual capital is like hoarding your financial capital. You are supposed to spend it."
"Our spirituality, our practice, should be designed to give us the strength to face reality not run from it."
The full, three-day conference, Being Fearless: Action In a Time of Disruption, is available on-demand through Dec 14 for a donation of five dollars. Sign up here.
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