CULTURAL CREATIVES

I first heard the term, Cultural Creatives, on CBS This Morning the other day when Charlie Rose interviewed Deepak Chopra, who incidentally made the statement that he had never gotten angry ever since he had been a young boy; he simply lets the anger go . . .

So, what is a Cultural Creative?

Cultural Creatives, are emerging as a global social, economic and political phenomenon. The implications of this emerging wave of cultural creativity are as profound as the consequences of global warming are imminent. What we will discover in this emerging cultural group are the values that we need to undergird our next phase of human development as we move into an intensely ecological phase of our history.    To read entire report, click here 

Cultural Creatives are essentially comprised of people who have participated in the social and consciousness movements that have emerged since World War II, such as the:

1.      civil rights movement

2.      environmental movement

3.      women’s movement

4.      jobs movement

5.      social justice movement

6.      peace movement

7.      organic food movement

8.      alternative health care movement

9.      new spirituality movement

10.  self growth movement

Of the 50,000,000 Cultural Creatives (about 16% of the US population) 2/3 are women, and in many ways the new value system the Cultural Creatives represent is inextricably related with the fact that this is the first time in history that women’s values have been widely and publicly articulated.

Women are spiritually motivated and committed to personal growth but are not dogmatically religious.

Women embrace technology and economic development but only within a deep affirmation of the environment and community.

Women tend to view the world from the perspective of holistic systems.

Women are the people paying attention to world events and global trends.

It is estimated that there are over 100,000,000 Cultural Creatives throughout the entire world, but interestingly, they all share the follow similar characteristics:

·         love of nature and deep caring about its preservation, and its natural balance.

·         strong awareness of the planet-wide issues (i.e. climate change, poverty etc.) and a desire to see more action on them

·         being active themselves as well (e.g. cradle2cradle principle)

·         willingness to pay higher taxes or spend more money for goods if that money went to improving the environment

·         heavy emphasis on the importance of developing and maintaining relationships

·         heavy emphasis on the importance of helping others and developing their unique gifts

·         volunteer with one or more good causes

·         intense interest in spiritual and psychological development

·         see spirituality as an important aspect of life, but worry about religious fundamentalism

·         desire equality for women/men in business, life and politics

·         concern and support of the wellbeing of all women and children

·         want politics and government to spend more money on education, community programs and the support of a more ecologically sustainable future

·         are unhappy with the left and right in politics

·         optimism towards the future

·         want to be involved in creating a new and better way of life

·         are concerned with big business and the means they use to generate profits, including destroying the environment and exploiting poorer countries

·         unlikely to overspend or be in heavy debt

·         dislike the emphasis of modern cultures on "making it" and "success", on consuming and making money

·         like people, places and things that are different or exotic

Watching and Tracking YOU!

The word voyeur has its origins in French and means:  “one who looks.”  According to Wikipedia (which is not a credible academic source), voyeurism is the sexual interest in or practice of spying on people engaged in intimate behaviors, such as undressing, sexual activity, or other actions usually considered to be of a private nature. Espionage or spying involves a government or individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, as it is taken for granted that it is unwelcome and, in many cases, illegal and punishable by law. It is a subset of intelligence gathering - which otherwise may be conducted from public sources and using perfectly legal and ethical means.

Funny, in a way, how something so private always seems to drift back to our government; but, our government is a voyeur nonetheless, pure and simple, which in a way is sad, but also necessary as any population grows beyond one’s capability to control it.

And so, we are WATCHED and tracked . . .

The first US Census (a methodology to collect data) began in 1790 and continued until 1840 and required every home to be visited.  From 1850 until 1930 the US Census takers broadened their base of questions to include all sorts of demographic information and the data that was collected in 1940 until now was developed by a Dr. Edwards W. Deming, a PhD Statistician.

About this same time, retail stores began collecting data on customers so that they could target their marketing approaches specifically to those whom they knew in advance had a strong propensity to purchase their product.  It did not take long before all commerce was being conducted this way whether it came from a local car dealer or restaurant or realtor or non-profit, such as a Church.

Once computers were introduced into the consumer marketplace and became affordable, the ability to collect data on American skyrocketed.  Not only could we collect data legitimately and legally but we could now “hack” into most any computer system or network and retrieve pretty much any data we wanted.

The popularity of the cell phone and the smart cell phone simply magnified (almost exponentially) our ability to monitor and track each other.  While most Americans pursue their daily lives almost innocently while the less fortunate are sent off to other parts of the world to fight wars (like Afghanistan and Iraq), the technology used by our soldiers is now coming home to be used on us.  And, like boiling frogs, we simply sit in pots of luke-warm water as those around us gradually turn up the heat on the stove.

But, it is a logical and an inevitable conclusion that the general public never seems to want to address because they are all too busy thinking about what they need or want and that is:  when a population grows beyond the ability of law enforcement to control in small ratio groups; then, law enforcement has no choice but to resort to other types of crowd control measures and methodologies.

Peeping Tom or Govt?

Our govt. is perverted.

CULTURE CHANGE

CROOKS, Liars, and the rest of us . . .

By Alex Hutchins

Kinda reminds me of a small European village during WWII as portrayed by Hollywood; but, I assure you, this is no European village, it is a very large, wealthy, natural resource laden country; it is my birthplace and it my home for as long as I live; yet, it has turned into a “gambling casino free-for-all” mentality leaving the rest of us amidst groups of crooks and cowards, blessed in part by one of our self-endowed right of free speech; and yet, we seem to more endowed with greed that with anything else.

This trinity of souls, still referred to as Americans, rests on the “fruits” of previous labors and accomplishments, seldom venturing out of its tortoise shell surroundings, unless being hauled into court (and ultimately going to jail), or prancing and dancing behinds the skirts of our political party mistresses, or finding ourselves in awe because we cannot comprehend the witch (sic) into which this country has turned.  If we were in the UK (which we are not) we would hear a “God save the Queen” shout out, but here in our “holier than thou” secret gardens we hear football screaming “Amens!” 

And, speaking of football, isn’t it interesting that the Football Commissioner finally penalized the New Orleans Saints for having and condoning a on-the-field “hit squad?”  But, for me, it is not as amazing as hearing that Madoff’s biographer has made a statement that she thinks Madoff would rather have people see him as a liar than as a failure.  With these two scenarios alone, we can clearly and easily see that America has made a culture change.

This culture change can also be seen in several States passing “Stand Your Ground” laws where Americans can shoot DEAD other Americans who they perceive to be threatening them.  How wonderfully stupid is that:  allowing the average person to solely define the word “threatening”?  Only in America, as they say – whoever “they” might be.

We have Crooks and Liars in both Political Parties, in our Businesses (both large and small), in our School Systems and Religious Institutions, among our “Role Models” and parents, neighbors, and friends and in some cases among ourselves when we take office supplies from work home with us.  It is a culture change pure and simple.

When I was growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, it was “cool” to rip off each other and especially the US Government, especially the IRS when filing taxes and the attitude was captured in the lyrics of Steppenwolf’s song, Fortunate One.  I recall people working for cash to avoid taxes, and how some college students finding a way to receive Government grants when they did not qualify or actually needed them; but, many adults thought those people were “oh, so clever.” 

The problem with living in a society of “Crooks and Liars,” is that the damage is minimal if accomplished on a small scale; but, almost exponential (I would suggest) if perpetrated on a large scale.  For me, therein lies the problem.  As our “problem” increases and intensifies financially then so too is the downside of this culture change.  For instance, if I steal office supplies for work worth a dollar or two or stay on break a little longer than usual robbing the company of productivity and I am the only one in the company that does this; then, the downside to the company is minimal.  However, if 90% of the employees do this on a regular basis, then the potential financial loss can be huge (relative speaking).  If this culture change attitude (crooks and liars) is expand to 80% of our businesses is again huge (relatively speaking).

This financial loss does not even compare to the financial impact on Americans when our “crooks and liars” attitude is applied to investments, real estate, and retirement programs.  Now, we can not only visualize this phenomenon but actually experience it first-hand.  Hypocritically, we are infuriated, angry, and bitter to say the least because now we are talking about OUR money and not someone else’s money.  

We are angry with the 1% when in reality it is the additional 9% (or 10%) that has really exacerbated the “crooks and liars” problem for the rest of us.  And, depending upon where you are on the “rest of us” continuum is a predictor of how financially devastating the “crooks and liars” attitude will be “played-out” on you.

But, we should realize that the remaining 90% has tools with which the 10% will never be able to compete.  First, we have the vote and the power of our collective votes to remove all the assholes from office from top to bottom.  Second, we have purchasing power and we can choose to either spend our money or not spend our money.  We can also do this collectively. 

Did our “crooks and liars” attitude start in the 50’s and 60’s by a few and gradually grow to encompass a majority or is this attitude a natural by-product of any affluent society?  The growth of a society (affluence and wealth) is predicated upon greed; otherwise, there would be no growth at all – simplistic but true.

Can you imagine what life would be like in the United States if no one ever dreamed of being in the 1% or even in the 10% but all were content on remaining less than that? 

What unintended consequences would that culture change mentality cause here or for that matter in the rest of the world who may or may not have adopted our same philosophy?

Which would be worse?