Joanna discusses 'The Great Turning' as a paradigm shift towards a just society. They explore different narratives - Business as Usual, The Great Unraveling, and The Great Turning. The importance of cooperation, envisioning a non-toxic world, and actively participating in building a better future is emphasized.
Business as Usual perpetuates societal harm by normalizing exploitation and consumerism.
The Great Turning advocates for a just, sustainable existence rooted in cooperation and compassion.
Deep dives
Business as Usual: The Dominant Narrative
Business as usual is the story of industrial growth society centered on economic growth, consumption, and convenience, defining life by endless material choices. Despite its comforts, this narrative perpetuates societal harm, normalizing exploitation, poverty, and violence. The emphasis on consumerism leads to a constant pursuit of goods, relegating other sources of meaning and power to the background. Disasters are seen as temporary disruptions, reinforcing the belief in a return to 'normalcy,' despite escalating ecological and social crises.
The Great Unraveling: Ecological and Social Crises
The great unraveling depicts a world torn apart by extinctions, disasters, and social injustices stemming from environmental degradation and unsustainable practices. As crises intensify, marginalized communities bear the brunt of devastation, raising questions about the future's sustainability and humanity's role in the unfolding chaos. This narrative challenges the illusion of stability, highlighting the interconnected destructive forces plaguing the planet and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
The Great Turning: A Paradigm Shift Towards Justice and Sustainability
The Great Turning signifies a transformative global movement advocating for a just, sustainable existence marked by clean resources, fair opportunities, and community solidarity. It envisions a world where life thrives in harmony with nature, emphasizing simpler living, cooperation, and compassion. Choosing the path of the Great Turning involves actively participating in creating a reality rooted in beauty, justice, and interconnectedness, fostering hope and commitment amid uncertainties and complexities.
What’s really going on in the world right now? “Business as Usual”—a comforting narrative in which industrial growth and progress overcomes all? “The Great Unraveling” —a planet careening toward inevitable destruction? Joanna‘s work introduces a third story, “The Great Turning”—a paradigm shift on an epic scale, the creation of a just and life-sustaining society. The stakes are high, the outcome uncertain. This conversation invites you to devote yourself to the Great Turning even as you grasp the truth in all three stories.
In this episode:
Three outlooks on these times: Business as Usual, the Great Unraveling, and the Great Turning
What’s behind all three—how they affect us in conscious and unconscious ways
What the Great Turning means, and how to devote yourself to it
We recommend starting a podcast club with friends or family to do these practices together. Links and assets to help prompt reflection and build community can be found with every episode on WeAreTheGreatTurning.com.
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