

EP66 Tyson Yunkaporta on Indigenous Knowledge
22 snips Jul 16, 2020
Tyson Yunkaporta, a member of the Apalech Clan and expert on indigenous knowledge, dives into the intersection of culture and sustainability. He explores concepts like interconnected indigenous cognition and the role of elders in guiding communities. Engaging topics include contrasts between industrial practices and ancient wisdom, addressing modern societal issues like narcissism and economic growth. He offers intriguing metaphors such as 'avatar depression' and discusses radical solutions like debt jubilee, all while advocating for humans as custodians of the environment.
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Woodworking as Cognitive Connection
- Tyson's woodworking connects him deeply to his land and culture through stories and physical entanglement with materials.
- Crafting tools is not just manual work but a cognitive and spiritual act linking mind, body, and place.
Culture Designed to Check Narcissism
- Aboriginal society is designed over thousands of years to check and balance the destructive narcissistic idea of "I am greater than you."
- Cultural norms punish narcissistic behavior to transform individuals and preserve communal harmony.
Context-Dependent Role Leadership
- Forager societies worldwide developed cultural methods to suppress 'big men' and maintain egalitarianism.
- Indigenous leadership is role-based and contextual, shifting dynamically with situation, unlike Western positional hierarchy.