Bloom County .. Sam The Lion, Being Calmed During A Hurricane At The Hospital While Recieving Cancer

Bloom county .. Sam the Lion, being calmed during a hurricane at the hospital while recieving cancer treatments by Frank the Postman.

Difference in Political Opinion

It is possible to have a difference of political opinion when discussing how to solve a social problem. However, when a politician believes that the best way to solve a problem is to blame someone else, and take away their rights, thats no longer a debate or a discussion, thats a label and an attack.

Labels are the opposite of understanding problems. They create unnecessary fear and hate at groups who are .. as you probably are .. trying to live your life.

This behavior is not considered proper social behavior, and thus why many people are upset with 45. He examplifies everything that is wrong with social debate and discourse. And, instead chooses to label groups of people, attack those that dont support him, and create as much fear and panic as he can over nothing.

And, while this causes the general populus to engage in a discussion about the issue he is attacking, it doesnt equate to a debate or a difference in political opinion. Because, no one is talking about how the issue affects them, their friends, their loved ones. Instead, they are using the labels and sound bites fed to them to fight each other with.

Again, a real debate discusses how to solve a social problem.

Politics

Politics, Religion, and ____ are usually the 3 subjects that you don’t discuss in RAPP groups.  I’ve never understood why, but I think it has to do with peoples understand of what a discussion vs a debate is.  Or, it’s their understanding of what the concepts are.  Thus, I’d like to share my definition of what “Politics” is.

Politics is about insuring that your personal point of view is taking into account during a discussion.

Politicians aggregate their constituents personal points of view, as they represent them at gatherings where decisions are made to resolve a problems.

Politicians are leaders, in the sense that they have followers who align with the politician’s point of view.  

There is more to say here concerning politics and leadership ... As Emperor Palpatine definitely displayed during his run in Star Wars.  

Guiding the Process

A leader is able to bring a diverse group of people affected by a similar problem and with different motivations together, and guide them through the process of crafting a solution that, while not perfect, helps 90% of the affected find a resolution. The process the group is guided through is debate. A leaders ability to do this is hampered by people who choose to label others. True debate is perceived as taking their precious time and energy. Instead, people use labels that allow them to quickly and easily digest their opponents point of view, instead of examine it. And, thus, most have equated the need to defend themselves during a debate, which isn't the purpose of debate. Most won't understand this problem, until they are forced to debate the issue from a stance that is totally contrary to their opinions. Through this process, individuals are forced to gather information about the problems their opponents face, to make a case based on evidence that supports a position. Once all sides understand the problem and the subproblems involved, the crafting of a solution becomes easier, as many new perspectives, experiences and ideas can be merged to craft the solution.

The Crux / Crutch

The crux of conflict management is knowing that the person who is maintain a state of conflict is stuck there because they feel it’s normal.  

It’s a sad state of be in, constant conflict, as it raises everyone else anxiety, as they don’t believe that it is normal. They don’t have the same experiences as this individual has. And, as such, this individual finds that their present experience is playing out exactly as their previous experiences have.

Theory Test: If the task, is the task, is the task, do you need conflict to feel normal while doing the task?

If you don’t need to feel emotional anxiety while doing a task, and someone else does, who has an experience with this task that causes them to act out of their emotional anxiety? This is the hard part of conflict management, showing the individual with the conflict that what they think is normal, is not normal at all, and in fact, is abnormal behavior, thinking, and believing. 

People who believe that they are not getting their emotional needs met, believe that no matter what you do to meet their emotional needs you are insulting them. This becomes a negative feedback loop and self fulfilling prophecy as they are no longer looking at a positive outcome, but a negative outcome that their normal situation constantly predicts.

Their crutch

This is their crutch .. you need to play your role for their experiences to play out exactly as they expect them to happen. Doing anything else, is considered inappropriate.

Many people believe, especially in AA Groups, that you can never understand the pain of their problem.  I’m, challenge that belief. I believe that they cannot properly articulate their pain for you understand.  Otherwise, movies would be unsuccessful in getting you to empathize with a hero who struggles to overcome their internal and external conflicts to triumph over their foe. 

I, also believe, that we use the phrases, “You don’t understand”, “It’s complicated”, “It’s a long story!” to withhold information that seems embarrassing. The reason why is that people are following their teachings, cultural references about dealing with problems, previous experiences where people judged them, teased them, or took advantage of them because of the problem.

Thus there are two problems to overcome here. The first is getting the individual stuck in an anxiety ridden self fulfilling conflict to stop staying, “It’s  too embarrassing to talk about!” and moving them to describe a future that helps them get what they really wanted. (Past Tense!)

Challenging Outcomes

There are many beliefs that define their outcomes:

Cultural References

Teachings

Judgments

Previous Experiences

Normal vs Normal

Never challenge beliefs directly. A person will die for their beliefs before they will change them for you or anyone else. Instead, challenge their outcomes. It is their past experience that defines how a situation will turn out. Thus, by challenging their outcomes, you can begin to unravel that mystery that brought them to believe that this outcome is inevitable.

First, they are an expert in seeing every single data point that predicts this outcome.  They have lived it, probably 100′s of times.  Are they consciously aware of these details? And, they are probably talking about the details of their prediction without realizing it.  Take note of the phrases they use, this will be important in steering them towards a positive outcome.

For example, battered women report always falling in love for the same type of guy over and over again, and not knowing why they constantly fall into this trap. There are two problems with their relationships: 1) what traits do all the men they choose have in common with each other. 2) how often are they recreating the situation needed for them to feel normal.  Thus, while they may find a man who isn’t abusive, they may unknowingly force the man to abuse them.

Becoming Friends

Friends share experiences consistently. Did you know that?  Deep friendships are built by sharing stories, common experiences, past histories.  How many times have you read a good story that got you to identify with every problem that the hero was dealing with? You don’t have to tell each other stories, it can be as simple as riding a bike, or going to lunch, or reading books in a library.

It’s during these times that small things are dropped.  Specifically walls around what can and can’t be shared. As they they describe a situation, they will use specific words and phrases. These phrases relate directly to the data points that describes their understanding of the outcome they see happening.

I’m using data points, when points of reference, means the same thing. 

From these points of reference, a timeline and story can be built that describes both the current situation as well as the past situation. The past history is the most important for because it is where the original emotional wound lies.  There was a desire to get what they wanted, and they were not in a position of power to get it.  

From this perspective, it becomes easier to see how a person not in power has to beg, plead, or steal to get what they wanted. It is also easier to understand why they feel they have to keep playing out this same game over and over again in adult hood.  Every superior reminds them of the superior that lauded over them in this past history.

Creating Change

“Friends share experiences consistently.”, did you notice the word, “consistently”?  Consistency is the piece of the puzzle that creates the framework for change.  You constantly showing what calm and normalcy look like, while your friend rages against the machine.  This alone provides the strongest evidence against their negative outcome. It shows that other choices lead to different outcomes.

If at each point of reference, there were different choices that could be made, what choices would they be?  Do they see them?  Do they believe that they are realistic choices? If you were to write a story, where the options lead to different positive outcomes, what would this story involve?

In order to have a positive outcome, you have to overcome the resistance to change with three things:

Dissatisfaction with the current reality

A realistic vision of a better future

A first realistic concrete step

If their new story contains these 3 elements of them succeeding, then they will not only be aware of the points of reference, they will also know how to steer the story towards a positive outcome they want.

Amenities, Necessities, and Rights

At what point (x% of the population) does a amenity become a necessity, or a right?

We the people condone the power to represent us to leaders on various issues.  These leaders debate many things: how best to use resources, which solution should be implemented, and when does the basic living standard need to be adjusted to accommodate something that was amenity, that has now become a need in order to function in society?

I’ve been a proponent that we don’t need leaders to represent us any longer as we have a network of computers where we can discuss and debate issues.  This however requires that everyone have the RIGHT to access information concerning the debate topic.  And, that’s where the issue of Amenity turns to Necessity and then whether or not it is a RIGHT!

Is the Freedom of Information a basic human right?

Should every person have access to the internet?

Should everyone have equal access to the internet?

Should the access to the internet be identical for everyone?

Should everyone be taxed in some way to allow everyone access to the internet?

How does internet access affect how people conduct business today?

How does internet access affect older businesses that are cash based?

How is internet access changing brick and mortar stores affected by global commerce?

How are publishers changing to accommodate people who are not purchasing books?

How is education changing to accommodate the ability to learn anything, any time, any where?

Should private companies partition out internet services, or should they managed through government contracts?

Should companies have the right to prioritize their content over others?

Should companies have the right to limit the amount of information you can see, how quickly you can see it, how long you can see it, or how often?

Do we need leaders?  Do we need people to represent us?  Do we need people to trumpet causes? (be the leader of a cause?)

How would the majority project a minority?

How would we know that a law had passed scrutiny and muster and be in effect - thus moved from consideration to now being the way things are?

Who would we address should a law unfavorably target a population who’s voice could not be heard / seen during the debates .. such as children, invalids, the elderly, or other populaces that require a 3rd party to intervene for them (known as advocates.)

But I digress, this blog is about leadership, and this topic is about, “When does an amenity that is used by 99% of the population become a necessities or a right, due to how entrenched it is in society?”

At what point (x% of the population) does a amenity become a necessity, or a right?

I could discuss this question from many different points.  Like for example, what if there is an abundant resource (Sun Light for example).  Should companies have the right to control it, or use it in any way they see fit, while restricting the average person’s use of it? Or even charge you for using it?  

There was an interesting quip by our leaders this past week that the general population should stop buying smart phones and instead pay for health care.  Which raises the same kind of debate, but from a different perspective.  

Do our leaders feel that having a smart phone is less important than having health care?  

Back to education, can the internet provide us with information about different out breaks and pollen counts that could be affecting our health?

Can the internet help us find a specialist for a specific treatment needed to resolve a medical problem?

Do you need the internet  in order to contact this specialist?

Do you need the internet to schedule an appointment with your general practitioner?

Do you need the internet to pay the medical bills?

Do you need the internet to help transfer medical information between providers?

Do you need the internet to signup for medical health insurance?

Does your internet access allow you to merge different holistic bits of information for your medical providers to see a larger picture of who you are, vs just seeing you at the time they see you.  

For example, can you link your fit bit into your medical providers health system so that it tracks how much you walk, excersize, enjoy sports, how often you sit, how much water you take in, your vitals during the day .... 

Do you use your smart phone to take pictures of different medial problems and forward those to specialists and general practitioners.

Are you able to link your grocery shopping customer loyalty program account to your medical provider so that they can follow your general eating habits?

Does your diabetic pump and sensor send information to your smart phone so that it helps you regulate your sugar levels properly?

What is a basic standard of living?

I submit that when something has become so entrenched into a society that it is needed to conduct your daily life, that it no longer is an amenity, but a basic necessity of life.  Aka, a right. 

Clean water, clean air, fresh food, electricity, telephone services, radio services, television services, and many more services have become a basic necessity of life.  To go completely off the grid would require us to chop wood for fires, hunt and gather, and perform many tasks that simply would destroy the environment, and reduce the population.

If you were in a star ship, what would your basic requirements be?  Would you be guaranteed work? Would you be guaranteed housing, education, social entertainment, fresh water, heat, light, electricity, internet, package delivery, take out, food, ... health care?  Or should these all be pay for play services?