A Concise, Pithy, Condensed, Crisp, To-The-Point & Succinct Summary of the 6 Steps to Surviving Earth:
1. our home
Always remember the big picture. We live on the bottom of an ocean floor - an ocean is made of oxygen. Our ocean is shallow. It’s a short 60-mile trip from here to outer space. Our delicate little habitat is getting warm and overrun by madmen who want to put an end to democracy ("people rule"). There are some good ideas how to reverse this emergency. They involve economics.
2. economics
Economics is a science, not a religion. The origin of the word meant household management. Its purpose is to find the best ways to share our most useful ideas and resources for the good of all humanity and not just personal profit. When we use material things for human benefit we thrive. When our humanity is used for material benefit, we suffer. To apply our best economic practices we need good politics.
3. politics
In 2020, the word “politics” implies factions wrestling for power. Aristotle used the word "politics" to mean the affairs of cities. The purpose of politics is to ensure the people of our planet have both equal access to our material resources and access to the resourcefulness of our people - from households to nations. And that requires good communication.
4. communications
The purpose of our mass communications networks is to share important information between our local, regional, national and global representatives. Factual information is required for rational, informed decision-making and accountability. For the mass media to be useful, humanity must be its highest value. And our humanity is best understood through our culture.
5. culture
The arts get to the fundamental essence of what it means to be a human being - a magic portal allowing us to step into each other’s shoes and laugh, sing, dance, hurt, learn and feel our oneness. Our collective myths are our metaphors for understanding life. Culture is not only the arts. It’s science, cooking, gardening, mathematics, medicine, architecture, city planning -- any inspiration that ennobles life on earth through our talents. We all share the same needs. Food, shelter, security, health, belonging, love and a life of purpose. That’s why the foundation of our culture should never bow to an idol of money. Money is here to serve our humanity. Not the reverse. Which brings us to the last item of interest.
6. goodness
Due to misunderstandings about the 5 items just discussed, the word “God” may reek of snake oil for about 25% of Americans. The word “spirituality” may smack of self-help programs that put selling above giving so to eliminate any confusion, let’s use the word “goodness.” Goodness is using our egoic desires as fuel but not letting them determine our destination. It’s letting higher purpose set our course. Goodness reminds us the highest good is not our selves. If we take credit, we’re led to hubris — legendary for ruining all good endeavors. Goodness means we focus on our own faults. As long as there is war in our selves there will be war in the world. So we are well advised to do our best to learn, grow, and take the highest road we can, for all our sakes. Goodness means we are aware of our mortality and that by the grace of an unfathomable origin we are chosen in each moment to continuously spark into existence by a fire we cannot see. May we remain in a state of wonder, humility and reverence. Anything else is quite unreasonable. We are here for a short time. We are guests. It’s pretty clear what the point is: to take care of each other and our home. Which brings us back to 1. Home.
In Case of Emergency
Let's say you're sharing these 6 common-sense steps and all of a sudden one of the crazies accuses you of peddling a socialist lefty pedophile vaccination plot to turn their kids into woke-mob freeloaders. Don't panic. Send them this: