Thread by @swardley

X : Do you think it's possible to change the economic and political systems to something more balanced?
Me : Do you doubt it?
X : Yes
Me : Do you feel it's too complex a task, don't know where to start, lack the energy to do this and question whether it's worth it?
X : Yes

Me : You're worried it might go wrong, how do we know if we can make things better, maybe it's safer to stay as we are and life isn't too bad, it's getting better?
X : Yes, Yes, Yes.
Me : Can I ask some personal questions?
X : Ok

Me : I can see you're mid thirties. I assume you work hard, long hours, don't get much time to sleep, have a demanding schedule, you're under a lot of pressure, rarely take time to do nothing and if you do, it's like a guilty secret? You're trying to buy a house?
X : Yes, Yes.

Me : You know this is all connected?
X : How?
Me : I'm guessing that when you were younger you saw lots of injustices you wanted to change? You felt a bit of a rebel? University educated?
X : Yes
Me : You don't feel a bit of a rebel now? You're tell yourself you're more "mature"?

X : Ok, first I've got responsibilities and now this is getting weird.
Me : Really? Do you think the injustices have changed? Have you not noticed huge numbers of kids organising marches and protests? Climate change? Shootings?
X : Well, what can I do?
Me : Thank you.

X : I don't understand?
Me : The problem is not changing the political and economic system. The problem is you think you're in control of yourself.
X : I am.
Me : No, you're not. It's like a collective Stockholm syndrome / learned helplessness. You're institutionalised.

X : No, I'm not.
Me : Look, I spend my life dealing with companies who are trapped by their past context and don't even realise it. When facing the problem for the first time it's all "we can't deal with that", "it's too big a problem" etc. This is all very normal.

X : That sounds very smoke filled rooms and dark glasses.
Me : No, it's just a stabilising mechanism in a social system whether it's a company or a group of people or a nation state. I'm sure there are people who think they are controlling it but it's the social system itself.

X : If I agree, which I'm not saying I do, then how do we change this?

Me : You already are. Two things to look for
1) Growing dissatisfaction and doubt with the past.
2) Suitability, Technology, Concept and Attitude for change. Key is the attitude ...

... you need to have the willingness to change, that desire to do so and that growing self belief. These factors maybe even embodied in some sort of talisman, a person, an event or a even a story.

X : If that is true, how can I prepare?
Me : The same way we should prepare for any such change.
X : Which is?
Me : Get some sleep, go for long walks, play a lot especially if you have kids and do something random.
X : That'll help how?
Me : It'll help you to think.

X : You're often quite negative about climate change but this seems more positive?
Me : I said there are two factors. The first is growing dissatisfaction with the past. You need to grasp that, you need to wallow in it, you need to think "god, this is crap" ... but ...

... you can't just dive into action, doing something. You'll end up doing a bit of recycling or whatever. You need to become "aware" of the situation. That sense of helplessness, that realisation you're not in control can help spark real personal fire, a desire to change ...

... once you have that, it's now a question of where, what and how. That'll take real divergent thought across many people. Get some sleep, play with your kids, discuss with others, do something random as James Webb Young would say.

X : What sort of random things?
Me : Random i.e. go sit in a cafe, go for a walk on a beach, do nothing at all, listen to some music, talk with some friends - in my case about slow fishing. You need to find time for your mind, to quietly digest and to think without thinking.

X : ... and then what?
Me : Well, when you know what you need to do then get involved with others and make that change happen.

X : Do you think there are any politicians who can tackle the problems of today?
Me : There are many inspiring and capable politicians both in the US and UK who say what needs to be said - @AOC, @BernieSanders, @ewarren, @jeremycorbyn, @RLong_Bailey, @SarahChampionMP etc.