In traditional village living, people went with the flow more. Hunters and gatherers OR early farmers, they worked together as a community to get things done. Whatever you were good at, that helped the village, you did. Leaders were the ones who were best at recognizing strengths in others. Storytellers, often elders, kept the culture alive while caring for the children. Usually men were the hunters and protectors, but if a woman was good at it? No problem! Whatever helped people survive. That doesn't mean that everything was easy... or that all people were good. But MOST people were and ARE good. So small communities thrived, and made connections with other small communities creating a global network.
In teacher talk, we learn about "21st century skills". But really, the most critical skills are no different today than they were 10, 20, 100 or even 1,000 years ago. Children need to feel loved and safe to grow and learn, and so do adults!
We think now about things like a "global culture", again, like it's something new. But a long time ago people still connected globally. There were always travellers and traders, herders and sailors, people who moved around the globe.
So what feels so different, and even wrong, about today's world? In my mind there are two things - the speed at which we travel, talk, think and work; and how large our rulers' domains have gotten. Oh yes, and the power of money!
I often think that people forget that money isn't "real" in the sense that it was totally artificially created for our convenience. All that happened was that we got too complex as a species for our traditional barter and trade system, so people started trading shiny things or small metal discs, etc., instead. Eventually money as we know it today evolved. And there is nothing wrong with it, in theory, but when it rules the world...? Then there is a problem! People, plants, animals, and nature in general should ALWAYS come first.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk. Tune in later for more reflections. 😘
*Resouces that influenced this reflection:
The Parable of the Sower (and other novels)
Ishmael by Daniel (David? Quinn)
The Shaman's Apprentice
Orson Scott Card novels
Barbara Kingsolver novels
Tom Robbins novels
Numerous other fantasy and science fiction books and media
Blitzen Trapper's music
ellis music
Beatles music
Queen music
...and friends and mentors and community members throughout my life 💞





















