Change Our Consciousness?
Change Our Consciousness. Learn to read and respond to the emotional communications of others. Empathize with people who think, feel and behave differently. Dialogue instead of fight.
Yeah, sure, right. While we’re at it, let’s fly to the moon.
Oh wait, we already did that, didn’t we?
It’s called Rocket Science, and it’s a real field of study. Students begin in kindergarten with 1+1=2, and several decades later people who are especially good in subjects like math, physics, engineering and astronomy come together to work on designing, building and flying rockets. We’re often disturbed about where those rockets are pointed, but we generally trust that they’re going to work.
Think about it. If you listen to the way people talk about other people, at home, at work, and in the media, you’ll see how limited our responses tend to be. We tend to project our own worldviews onto those who present religious differences, thought process differences (aka “mental illness”), gender, size and age differences, political and cultural differences. We often criticize, ridicule, fear and avoid those people. We’re not very good at electing political leaders, and they’re not very good at working together to solve our society’s ever-increasing problems.
All of us can, and must, develop a greater capacity for insight into ourselves and others, and a wider repertoire of responses to the needs, beliefs and communications of people who are different. Eventually we’ll be able to recognize and elect leaders who demonstrate their capacity for emotional literacy. And we’ll trust that our rockets will be pointed in the right directions, and used wisely and sparingly.
Emotional Literacy can, and must, develop as a real field of study analogous to Rocket Science.
It’s not impossible. It wouldn’t even be all that hard to accomplish. Our educator associates are hard at work designing a K-12 curriculum, and our filmmakers are hard at work creating a documentary about human connectedness.
But there’s one problem, a serious one. A few people making small efforts won’t work. My organization will put in a lot of time, money and effort, get a few grants, and some people will benefit, but ultimately not much about the way humankind thinks and behaves is going to change.
Q: How many psychoanalysts does it take to change a light bulb? A: Only one, but the light bulb has to really want to change.
How does one individual motivate an entire society to change according to her vision? I’m not offering a new gadget or a new drug to make you feel better. I’m offering you a theory and a methodology that necessitates coming together and doing a lot of very hard work.
Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? Right now you’re probably thinking that I’d better not quit my day job.
The fact is, I have a plan. It’s an odd plan, but a plan that I sincerely believe will work. I’ll tell you about it in the next week or two. Meanwhile, please share your reactions, and share this blog with your friends. Thanks!
11 Responses to “Change Our Consciousness?”
Comment from Alice L Maher
Time July 10, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Thanks, Susan and Melissa!
Comment from Hedy Bookin-Weiner
Time July 12, 2011 at 10:19 am
How to promote this most important ability? As a sociologist, I immediately think “Social Norms Marketing,” and George Lakoff’s work on ideology. I am looking forward to learning your plan. “Depth Perception Party” is such a wonderful idea!
Comment from Alice L Maher
Time July 12, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Hi Hedy, thanks for writing and your expression of enthusiasm. I’m somewhat familiar with Lakoff and I appreciate the reminder to refresh my memory about his model. Do you know Drew Westen’s work on “The Political Brain?” I don’t know about “Social Norms Marketing,” but I’d love to hear more. I hope you’ll subscribe to the blog and continue the dialogue.
Comment from Luca Caldironi
Time July 15, 2011 at 4:29 am
I agree with you! This could be an hope for the future!
Like Bion says we can think psychoanalysis like a tool of knowledge in the widest way
Comment from Byron McClure
Time July 22, 2011 at 11:31 am
Wow, I absolutely love this topic! Very thought provoking!
Comment from Donna
Time July 24, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Congrats!
Comment from Alice L Maher
Time July 25, 2011 at 5:21 am
Thanks so much to all of you. If you’re genuinely intrigued, please subscribe to the blog (by clicking the “register” link on the right) and share it with interested colleagues. I’m looking forward to an ongoing and challenging dialogue that will push my thinking and yours.
Comment from Luca Caldironi
Time December 10, 2011 at 5:20 am
i m very intrigued in your proposals !
Comment from Kaye
Time January 27, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Worse than a negative response to saying something you think important, is no response at all. I am glad you are staying involved; your voice is important to other analysts.
Write a comment
You need to login to post comments!
Comment from Susan
Time July 6, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Congratulations on the launch of the new blog. Let the discussion begin!