<
https://theconversation.com/can-you-be-the-change-youd-like-to-see-three-us-philosophers-aim-to-offer-hope-265976>
"
Review: Somebody Should Do Something: How Anyone Can Help Create Social
Change – Michael Brownstein, Alex Madva and Daniel Kelly (MIT Press)
Can one individual truly change the world? In our age of discontent, when so
many people feel frustrated, powerless and disconnected from those around them,
this is a cardinal question.
US philosophers Michael Brownstein, Alex Madva and Daniel Kelly believe
individuals can make a difference. In 14 short, lucid chapters, their new book
offers a framework and examples designed to activate the agency most people
don’t realise they have.
The authors aim to show readers how certain personal choices can alter the
“structures” and “systems” that govern the myriad decisions we make, usually
quite passively. As such, their book aims to empower and inspire.
Written for a general audience, the gist of their argument is captured by the
words of US environmental activist Bill McKibben. “The most important thing an
individual can do,” he once said, “is become somewhat
less of an individual.”
This book is timely. In the Anglosphere, and further afield, many people are
unhappy. Public rallies have become commonplace, from student protests in
Indonesia to Australia’s recent marches for stricter immigration controls. This
feels like a historical turning point, but who’s doing the turning and to what
purpose?"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
