#Society

What is society?

Society is made up of all of us. However, when we think of society, we really think about the world as we see it. The world outside of us.

That world is a game played by the rules of the operating system currently running it. Right now the world tends to play from FEAR a lot more than it plays from LOVE.

So what are the rules of the world game? Whether your desire is to change the game so that a better game can be played or just to survive within this game, you have to understand how the game is played.

The most important skill and survival tool we all have at our disposal is the ability to question.

Who controls the game?

Who benefits?

Who loses?

What can I do to play the game well?

What can I do to help society choose a better game?

No one can answer the questions for us. We all have to find out own answers but in finding answers there are a few things to consider.

Communication is the new law. We’ve all heard the stories about fake news, fake woke, trial by twitter, cyber bullying and so on. There are positive and negative aspects to playing everything out in the court of social media.
The positive aspects are that social movements can form that can be a real force for good. We can highlight issues such as injustice, pollution, cruelty and come together to affect change.
The negative aspects are that if we accept everything we are told without question, if we jump on a cause without really investigating the ethics, the long-term consequences and the democratic costs, we could win small battles but lose the war.

Remember in the digital economy you are the product and the data being mined is you

What does that mean?

True freedom is ultimately creating a society where we live and let live, free of suffering, abuse, neglect and where happiness and the right of all creatures – human and animal – to live happy lives is respected.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. – Marianne Williamson

Debates whether on social media, in the press, in our families or with friends should be respectful and aim to come to peaceful consensus or at least get to a place where we can agree to differ. What solutions might be possible? Are we open to hearing another point of view? Are we clear where lines need to be drawn and are we willing to put the work in to ensure that we allow space for people to change and come towards a peaceful society?

Witchhunts, trials by media, name calling, debates that block opposing views and outright bullying might get short term results but the long term cost is the erosion of real freedom and puts us in danger of moving back to a regressive world of repression and dictatorship. When the win becomes more important than the cause, trouble follows and wars can break out.

Insanity is repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results – Narcotics Anonymous.

Tips

Question everything

Follow the money – Who is funding? Who ultimately benefits? What do they stand for?

Read all sides – if you just read who you follow you only ever see an issue from one side.

Educate yourself – study ethics, moral philosophy, history. Watch #The Good Place!

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. – George Santayana

Educate yourself on how public relations, lobbying, marketing, advertising, subliminal stimuli and product placement work.

Know who is pulling the strings and question the agenda

Our left brain would rather be right than happy. Our right brain would rather be happy than right. I wish for you the perfect balance – Dr Jill Bolte Taylor.