Can we be anti-anti during a war for survival?
In the 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.”
I loved this quote and concept from the first time I read it (a long time ago). The way I’ve chosen to live my life can indeed qualify as a “new model.” However, I’ve also taken more than my share of “anti” stances.
I was reminded of this when I heard Dani Katz speaking with Gary Null on the Progressive Commentary Hour podcast. Katz (and I’m paraphrasing) talked about how being “anti” anything is a way of keeping what Fuller called the “existing model” relevant.
Dig this: Even being anti-vax presupposes and requires the existence and criminality of Big Pharma.
Is the planet inextricably run by evil-doers or do we need to better explore and perhaps sever our relationships with the powers that shouldn’t be?
I will have Dani on my podcast soon to ask her more about it but for now, I’m curious to know if you relate to Fuller’s quote. If not, why?
If so, do you feel Fuller implies that the act of “making the existing model obsolete” requires us to stop expending energy on opposing or hating our oppressors?
It is the way of neurobiology - learning and forgetting - synaptic plasticity. The easiest way to stop a problem habit is to substitute something else. Try to not even think of the problem habit and if a slip happens it is just part of the route to change, dwelling on self-recrimination just keeps the brain pathways focused on that topic. Get busy with the new thing so the mind is busy building new pathways and recycling unused ones -literally building new habits and dismantling old ones. Sticking with it hopefully will reach a point where the old habit doesn't even seem familiar/routine anymore.
So basically you have to be pro active. Activism creates change. I told my son I do not like the destruction of the past because we can learn much more by analyzing the wrong and making a new and better future