In a globally interdependent world, only mutual guarantee (give what you can and receive what you need) can provide sustainable success. In order to achieve this success, society\u2019s values must change in a way that appreciates and supports mutual cooperation.<\/p>\n
In addition, though, to contemplating the value of mutual guarantee\u2014thus increasing its \u201cpopularity\u201d\u2014society must also contemplate ways of inculcating mutual guarantee through action. One such possibility would be to bring many experts\u2014such as Christakis, Fowler, and other professors\u2014under an umbrella organization that would promote mutual guarantee through the education system, the media, and popular entertainment. Professionals in every field would give expression to this new value system in a way that is similar to how musicians and filmmakers operate today.<\/p>\n
People consume different kinds of media, entertainment, and information. Nearly everyone already knows what they like to watch and read, and where they like to go. Some people like to watch TV at home, some prefer the gym, and others gather in bars. Some don\u2019t like TV at all, but spend time surfing the Internet for information and entertainment. This is okay. All of those preferences may remain, but what does need to change\u2014gradually\u2014is the kind of content these outlets present.<\/p>\n
Currently, our media put out a wealth of information, most of which we are not even aware that we are consuming. We simply enjoy reading or watching media content without thinking too much about it. Within the media industry, however, are people whose jobs are to entice us to \u201cbuy\u201d their product or content; meaning, to implant their views or desires into our minds and way of thinking. Obvious examples of this are advertisers who push one product or company over another\u00ad\u00ad; for example, content that conveys the thought that without the newest gadget in the market, our lives are not worth living. Although such messages are false, they nonetheless sink into our minds and work on us\u2014even if subconsciously\u2014until we buy the advertised item or swallow the advertised view.<\/p>\n
Now, consider what would happen if the media \u201csold\u201d us on connection and mutual responsibility instead of redundant products or hidden agendas. What would happen if our minds were \u201cfed\u201d the idea that we are all interconnected and that hurting others is just like hurting yourself? What would our world be like if everyone adopted the motto: \u201cIf you\u2019re not good to others, then you\u2019re no good\u201d?<\/p>\n
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There\u2019s more to this, though, than changing our media; for example, our educational system must also change. Consider this: If our schools taught \u201cConnectivity Classes\u201d and our universities offered a major in \u201cpractical interconnectedness\u201d\u2014or at least provided \u201cprosocial networking\u201d coaching to individuals and company staffs, a whole new social atmosphere and a new buzz of connectedness would emerge. Within a few months, people would come to feel that there was a genuine alternative to self-centeredness, one that offers greater real-life<\/i> value at a lower cost.<\/p>\n
If this indeed were the case, everything would change. Instead of ordering and controlling others, idea sharing would be the way to connect with co-workers and peers at school. Personal tests at schools and universities would become obsolete, because a person\u2019s skill would not depend on the ability to memorize answers; rather, one\u2019s value would reflect the extent of one\u2019s connection, on the level to which channels of information have connected. Under such conditions, personal tests would be irrelevant; instead, group assignments would become the preferred means of evaluation.<\/p>\n
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In addition to changes at work or school, adopting the value system of mutual guarantee would change our social lives as well. Once connectedness is recognized as the key to success and happiness, then connections would be cultivated\u2014not only at work, but also to a great extent during our \u201coff duty\u201d hours. As a result, activities such as attending outings, socializing, playing, and deliberating would become far more popular than they are today because they would be recognized as having not only recreational value, but also positive, life-changing value.<\/p>\n
The atmosphere at work, too, would be far more sociable, as socializing would become a tool for personal and professional advancement. Moreover, increased appreciation of our interdependence as well as the importance of positive social connections would diminish the frequency of unfair or unjust behavior at work. As Professor Christakis mentioned in a televised lecture, \u201cIf I were always violent toward you…or made you sad…you would cut the ties to me and the network would disintegrate.\u201d Such behavior would be counterproductive to one\u2019s personal and professional advancement, and thus would be forsaken.<\/p>\n
The fundamental concept is simple: We are all interconnected, hence interdependent. Therefore, we must solve our problems in the spirit of mutual guarantee, where all are guarantors of each other\u2019s well-being.<\/p>\n
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Written by Michael Laitman<\/b> Are You Aware How Much the Media \u201cFeeds\u201d Your Thoughts? In a globally interdependent world, only mutual guarantee (give what you can and receive what you need) can provide sustainable success. In order to achieve this success, society\u2019s values must…<\/span><\/p>\n
\nMichael Laitman is a global thinker dedicated to generating a transformational shift in society through a new global education, which he views as the key to solving the most pressing issues of our time. He is the Founder of the ARI Institute, Professor of Ontology & Theory of Knowledge, PhD in Philosophy, MS in Medical Cybernetics. You can find him on Google+<\/a>, YouTube<\/a> and Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"