This week’s Crisis and Transition post, “El Niño, California Mega-Floods, and Reverse Shock Doctrine,” begins with the possibility of an extraordinary climate event.
COVID was a world event that tested societies. The US under the Trump administration 1.0 failed miserably, with Trump himself spreading misinformation and aligning with anti-science, anti-vaccination, anti-mask, and pro-gun toting protesters at state capitals wanting to open society during the height of the pandemic when it was unsafe. This, in addition to dismantling the pandemic response team established under Obama, caused what I would assume is hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths. This is a clear example of what not to do. Yet, a majority of the American public voted Trump in for a second term with apparent amnesia about the failings of the pandemic response during the first administration.
What are the roots of this failing? A pride about one’s ignorance, glorified in a leader as ignorant as them, or the cancer of misinformation at the hands of Fox News and other far-right media outlets, not to mention Steve Bannon’s stated goal under Trump to destroy America and rebuild it (to what?)
It seems that all the good intentions and creativity continue to be held back by ignorance and greed — humanity’s burden. Maybe the real question is how society can move those obstructions out of the way in order to allow progress.
Cathy, thank you for your thoughtful reflection. I appreciate your final question. My hope is that, through collective spaces like this, we can better understand one another and explore how we move toward a more just and equitable world.
The more centered we are, the more resilient we can be. And creativity is very much rooted in resilience. I spent part of today with a friend who loves her work. She was so alive! So full of curiosity and energy and happiness. Such resilience is contagious, and is healing in unforseen ways. A crisis does not take this spirit away; it strengthens it. We can each of us bring this spirit forward in our lives, right now.
I completely agree, Lark. It is contagious, it is healing, and yes, we can each bring it forward. Thank you so much for being present here and for sharing this beautiful reminder.
Imagination is an often trivialized, but in reality powerful human capacity. As such, it ought to be better appreciated. Some Sufi orders believe it's evidence of our ultimate unity with 'Allah,' which is their way of honoring its power. If we are to use our imaginations to create anything like the total reconstruction of society I think we must accept a time of chaos and unknowing akin to what caterpillars must allow in order to grow wings. And I find myself wondering if the disorienting crises we're facing will force such fluidity on us. It seems to me that one way to consider our current failure to act intelligently is as a kind of hangover from our failure to do this. Our collective history of living in stratified societies seems to have contributed much to our inability to imagine classless and cooperative ways of life.
Thank you, Leigh. I so appreciate the image of the caterpillar. I have a dear friend that is starting a nonprofit in Lahaina, partly her way to heal and also give back to the community. It is called Milkweed and Monarchs. Although, Monarchs are not native, they are a welcomed and the Milkweed, also known as the 'crown flower' can be made into a beautiful lei. Her goal is to bring a small milkweed plant to each person as they return to the community. This is her way of reimagining the community she loves. It may start small, but I believe it will exponentially grow.
There's really no such thing as small, except maybe where size is concerned. But many powerful things are small in size. What a lovely way to rebuild. Your experience in Lahaina must be serving you well as an invitation to make all things new. Peace.
Do you know if anyone has looked at a major crisis, like Katrina or the devastating Haitian earthquake, and imagined/designed a model response? I think that would be very helpful.
Paula, I appreciate that question. Honestly, I do not know. Maybe Ron Logan or someone else does. I will definitely be exploring this further. I believe there are many retrospective analyses of Katrina and Haiti, but I am unsure if any ask, "Knowing what we know now, what would a truly regenerative response have looked like?" And yes, I agree, that kind of thinking/model could be incredibly helpful.
See if you can find the documentary "The Power of Community". It's about Cuba's response to the "Special Period" in the early 90s when the price Cuba paid for oil suddenly shot up 10 times with the collapse of the Soviet Union. It was a massive crisis. The Cuban response was regenerative in nature.
I'm sure the powers that be have only asked "How can we figure out a way to capitolize even more effectively on this disaster to make sure no one imagines a regenerative option!"
The US thrives on crisis- always has in my life time. TV shows often watched reflect crisis scenarios. Healthcare has always funded crisis' well,emergency rooms, CCU, ICU, NICU,and reimbursed these activities well, so they are the last to close. Prevention work, ongoing care and comfort are the stepchildren. Perhaps it has been because of the chaos to be captured. Adrenaline junkies= most of US minds.
Vicki, thank you. Yes, I agree. I think we need to change that narrative and invest much more in the relationships, institutions, and values that help communities navigate change before disruption arrives. And yes, it is an uphill challenge, but I believe it is possible.
Possible if 'we have the vision, power, willingness". Nurse Practitioners engaged in this work were wiped out of it in the 1990s as MDS brought business in to recapture the small amount of healthcare monies being put into underserved healthcare populations. Though this was the NP mandate, the MDS did not like it!!! Money, power, MD mistakes, values clarification (not just for healthcare for all, but money for well funded healthcare diagnosis), insatiable greed... Human brains experiencing overabundance get a brain disease called insatiable greed.. Unless this is countered with democratic socialism, controlled capitalism, controlled corporations viewed as the things they are and taxed 80% and taxed richy rich at 90%, we ain't getting nada. Been there, done that and grieved the loss so.........
COVID was a world event that tested societies. The US under the Trump administration 1.0 failed miserably, with Trump himself spreading misinformation and aligning with anti-science, anti-vaccination, anti-mask, and pro-gun toting protesters at state capitals wanting to open society during the height of the pandemic when it was unsafe. This, in addition to dismantling the pandemic response team established under Obama, caused what I would assume is hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths. This is a clear example of what not to do. Yet, a majority of the American public voted Trump in for a second term with apparent amnesia about the failings of the pandemic response during the first administration.
What are the roots of this failing? A pride about one’s ignorance, glorified in a leader as ignorant as them, or the cancer of misinformation at the hands of Fox News and other far-right media outlets, not to mention Steve Bannon’s stated goal under Trump to destroy America and rebuild it (to what?)
It seems that all the good intentions and creativity continue to be held back by ignorance and greed — humanity’s burden. Maybe the real question is how society can move those obstructions out of the way in order to allow progress.
Cathy, thank you for your thoughtful reflection. I appreciate your final question. My hope is that, through collective spaces like this, we can better understand one another and explore how we move toward a more just and equitable world.
The more centered we are, the more resilient we can be. And creativity is very much rooted in resilience. I spent part of today with a friend who loves her work. She was so alive! So full of curiosity and energy and happiness. Such resilience is contagious, and is healing in unforseen ways. A crisis does not take this spirit away; it strengthens it. We can each of us bring this spirit forward in our lives, right now.
I completely agree, Lark. It is contagious, it is healing, and yes, we can each bring it forward. Thank you so much for being present here and for sharing this beautiful reminder.
Imagination is an often trivialized, but in reality powerful human capacity. As such, it ought to be better appreciated. Some Sufi orders believe it's evidence of our ultimate unity with 'Allah,' which is their way of honoring its power. If we are to use our imaginations to create anything like the total reconstruction of society I think we must accept a time of chaos and unknowing akin to what caterpillars must allow in order to grow wings. And I find myself wondering if the disorienting crises we're facing will force such fluidity on us. It seems to me that one way to consider our current failure to act intelligently is as a kind of hangover from our failure to do this. Our collective history of living in stratified societies seems to have contributed much to our inability to imagine classless and cooperative ways of life.
Thank you, Leigh. I so appreciate the image of the caterpillar. I have a dear friend that is starting a nonprofit in Lahaina, partly her way to heal and also give back to the community. It is called Milkweed and Monarchs. Although, Monarchs are not native, they are a welcomed and the Milkweed, also known as the 'crown flower' can be made into a beautiful lei. Her goal is to bring a small milkweed plant to each person as they return to the community. This is her way of reimagining the community she loves. It may start small, but I believe it will exponentially grow.
There's really no such thing as small, except maybe where size is concerned. But many powerful things are small in size. What a lovely way to rebuild. Your experience in Lahaina must be serving you well as an invitation to make all things new. Peace.
Thank you. Good point about "small".
Do you know if anyone has looked at a major crisis, like Katrina or the devastating Haitian earthquake, and imagined/designed a model response? I think that would be very helpful.
Paula, I appreciate that question. Honestly, I do not know. Maybe Ron Logan or someone else does. I will definitely be exploring this further. I believe there are many retrospective analyses of Katrina and Haiti, but I am unsure if any ask, "Knowing what we know now, what would a truly regenerative response have looked like?" And yes, I agree, that kind of thinking/model could be incredibly helpful.
See if you can find the documentary "The Power of Community". It's about Cuba's response to the "Special Period" in the early 90s when the price Cuba paid for oil suddenly shot up 10 times with the collapse of the Soviet Union. It was a massive crisis. The Cuban response was regenerative in nature.
Thanks! I'll look for it.
I'm sure the powers that be have only asked "How can we figure out a way to capitolize even more effectively on this disaster to make sure no one imagines a regenerative option!"
The US thrives on crisis- always has in my life time. TV shows often watched reflect crisis scenarios. Healthcare has always funded crisis' well,emergency rooms, CCU, ICU, NICU,and reimbursed these activities well, so they are the last to close. Prevention work, ongoing care and comfort are the stepchildren. Perhaps it has been because of the chaos to be captured. Adrenaline junkies= most of US minds.
Vicki, thank you. Yes, I agree. I think we need to change that narrative and invest much more in the relationships, institutions, and values that help communities navigate change before disruption arrives. And yes, it is an uphill challenge, but I believe it is possible.
Possible if 'we have the vision, power, willingness". Nurse Practitioners engaged in this work were wiped out of it in the 1990s as MDS brought business in to recapture the small amount of healthcare monies being put into underserved healthcare populations. Though this was the NP mandate, the MDS did not like it!!! Money, power, MD mistakes, values clarification (not just for healthcare for all, but money for well funded healthcare diagnosis), insatiable greed... Human brains experiencing overabundance get a brain disease called insatiable greed.. Unless this is countered with democratic socialism, controlled capitalism, controlled corporations viewed as the things they are and taxed 80% and taxed richy rich at 90%, we ain't getting nada. Been there, done that and grieved the loss so.........