I love this initiative Suzanne and plan to submit something in a week or so. I also love your example because I have a sense that there needs to be a flood of ideas from different perspectives and ways of being to shift the dominant way of being in society today. I do have a different perspective regarding selfishness and altruism however that is central to my idea. I have a sense that the concept of selfishness has gained such notoriety because people, including philosophers like Ayn Rand and Friedrich Nietzsche tend to restrict what it means.
While you can experience joy by caring for yourself in isolation, there will always be a part of you that is devoid of joy because we are wired to experience joy with others and with a healthy natural environment. No matter how much we try to delude ourselves we can feel the depths and heights of a joy that is shared within the presence of another who truly shares the essence of themselves with us. This is a joy that typically magnifies and enhances any personal joy that we can achieve in isolation. Likewise, not caring for yourself will not allow you to fully experience that joy that is available with others. Moreover, joyful people are less likely to hurt others and more likely to steward the planet in a way that will facilitate the experiencing of the potential joy that is all around us. This simple reframing could help us get to the 1 Jan 2050 that you describe but I will elaborate more in my submission.
We're always in a dual reality of being individuals and being connected as one humanity and need to serve both to the optimum. Brian Swimme, who has the cosmology I feel so simpatico with, says the essence of being human is relationship. It's only in relationship that we evolve, from the single cells that joined up to our modern day humans. We aren't here to be alone! It's good subject matter and I look forward to seeing what yo do with it!
Hi Suzanne! Thank you for your essay challenge. I submitted an essay entry. Did you receive it? I had some trouble with the form. Bless all those who entered an essay too! It was so fun to write. :)
Thanks for sharing this link, Suzanne...and for creating this amazing inspiration for all of us...writers as well as readers and observers. I almost missed it. I like this concept for all the right reasons. Just offering the opportunity with cash prizes goes way beyond the cash prize value and raises awareness probably more effectively than any of the essays themselves. What a great inspiration! I'm IN...prize or no prize. This is a golden opportunity, not just for writers and contestants, but for humanity itself. Bravo!!
I'm encouraged by the entries to think there could be valuable contributions to how we can help the hurting world that will come out of this contest, and I do love that it has stimulated the thinking we need to be doing!
In 1965, at 14 yrs old, I came to the conclusion that we were one humanity. Everyone thought I was crazy! Now it very special to know that there are other individuals and groups with the same understanding and consciousness. So glad that we can take action in this essay contest to spread this consciousness across the world.
What an amazing way to get transformative ideas out!! This is a blessing!
In 1965 at 14 years old, I came to the conclusion that we were all one human family and that the idea of borders of countries and passports were just figments of our imagination, Everyone thought I was crazy and that idea never got out!
For my story, I was the only Jewish child in my school system when prejudice was public and pervasive, and why I was the wrong thing was so incomprehensible to me that I think it's what made me so dogged about waking the world up! Fingers crossed this contest comes up with what at least can help to do that!
Apparently there was an issue with my submission and I cannot figure it out. The dividing line, the hyperlinks & references? I'm actually quite a bit sad about that and not winning a saving grace of monetary assistance, but perhaps it wasn't meant to be. I'm going to continue realizing this vision regardless, and I hope you read it anyway. Grateful for you for hosting this contest at all and inspiring myself & others to take action toward helping emerge the Age of Helpfulness!
What a good idea to post it here. Others can do that, too. What you wrote was smart and well presented but it doesn't come from you being in 2050 and reflecting on what happened to turn the world around.
Great idea! It will inspire many to look for the path to solve the existential problem that society is facing. We need the collaboration of millions to resolve the challenges ahead, and this initiative could motivate many to join in working on a way forward.
It had some interesting results, good and bad. Here's where you can see the good, where just being asked to think jostled people from a prevailing sense of helplessness: https://suespeaks.org/essay-contest. But it was disappointing in that their newfound enthusiasm was overshadowed by the struggle to keep afloat they were in so they did not become the activists coalition I hoped we could create.
I appreciate your support. Let's do valuable things together to help this hurting world!
You received some really interesting comments regarding your January 1- 1950 competition. These are the kind of people who are looking for guidance and want to get engaged and valuable collaborators.
We must gradually provide them with a "to-do" list to keep their enthusiasm and hope up.
Their struggle to stay afloat is a common problem throughout the world. In my view, there is no chance that we can appeal to people's altruism or sacrifice to achieve the results we are looking for.
This is why my philosophy of change is based on the Environmental Economy (EE), where business growth is beneficial to the environment instead of harming it. This also enables participants to create wealth and prosperity.
Another motivation is that the carbon economy is shrinking due to the limitations of natural resources, while EE has no such limitations. It is much better to grow business in a booming economy than in a declining one.
We are planning to provide basic requirements and knowledge for starting a business. Our primary target market is people losing jobs due to technological advancement and high school and university students looking for new or first steps into the workforce.
I am happy to cooperate with you on our shared objectives, and I am sure that we can find a way to collaborate.
You received some really interesting comments regarding your January 1- 1950 competition. These are the kind of people who are looking for guidance and want to get engaged and valuable collaborators.
We must gradually provide them with a "to-do" list to keep their enthusiasm and hope up.
Their struggle to stay afloat is a common problem throughout the world. In my view, there is no chance that we can appeal to people's altruism or sacrifice to achieve the results we are looking for.
This is why my philosophy of change is based on the Environmental Economy (EE), where business growth is beneficial to the environment instead of harming it. This also enables participants to create wealth and prosperity.
Another motivation is that the carbon economy is shrinking due to the limitations of natural resources, while EE has no such limitations. It is much better to grow business in a booming economy than in a declining one.
We are planning to provide basic requirements and knowledge for starting a business. Our primary target market is people losing jobs due to technological advancement and high school and university students looking for new or first steps into the workforce. The numbers are astounding.
I am happy to cooperate with you on our shared objectives, and I am sure that we can find a way to collaborate.
I love this idea so much.
This is so intriguing! Is there a word limit? I've just share it on Notes and will do so again in a week or so. Thanks!
Thanks Julie x
Ah - just noticed your response below. Thanks.
I love this initiative Suzanne and plan to submit something in a week or so. I also love your example because I have a sense that there needs to be a flood of ideas from different perspectives and ways of being to shift the dominant way of being in society today. I do have a different perspective regarding selfishness and altruism however that is central to my idea. I have a sense that the concept of selfishness has gained such notoriety because people, including philosophers like Ayn Rand and Friedrich Nietzsche tend to restrict what it means.
While you can experience joy by caring for yourself in isolation, there will always be a part of you that is devoid of joy because we are wired to experience joy with others and with a healthy natural environment. No matter how much we try to delude ourselves we can feel the depths and heights of a joy that is shared within the presence of another who truly shares the essence of themselves with us. This is a joy that typically magnifies and enhances any personal joy that we can achieve in isolation. Likewise, not caring for yourself will not allow you to fully experience that joy that is available with others. Moreover, joyful people are less likely to hurt others and more likely to steward the planet in a way that will facilitate the experiencing of the potential joy that is all around us. This simple reframing could help us get to the 1 Jan 2050 that you describe but I will elaborate more in my submission.
We're always in a dual reality of being individuals and being connected as one humanity and need to serve both to the optimum. Brian Swimme, who has the cosmology I feel so simpatico with, says the essence of being human is relationship. It's only in relationship that we evolve, from the single cells that joined up to our modern day humans. We aren't here to be alone! It's good subject matter and I look forward to seeing what yo do with it!
Hi Suzanne! Thank you for your essay challenge. I submitted an essay entry. Did you receive it? I had some trouble with the form. Bless all those who entered an essay too! It was so fun to write. :)
Thanks for sharing this link, Suzanne...and for creating this amazing inspiration for all of us...writers as well as readers and observers. I almost missed it. I like this concept for all the right reasons. Just offering the opportunity with cash prizes goes way beyond the cash prize value and raises awareness probably more effectively than any of the essays themselves. What a great inspiration! I'm IN...prize or no prize. This is a golden opportunity, not just for writers and contestants, but for humanity itself. Bravo!!
I'm encouraged by the entries to think there could be valuable contributions to how we can help the hurting world that will come out of this contest, and I do love that it has stimulated the thinking we need to be doing!
In 1965, at 14 yrs old, I came to the conclusion that we were one humanity. Everyone thought I was crazy! Now it very special to know that there are other individuals and groups with the same understanding and consciousness. So glad that we can take action in this essay contest to spread this consciousness across the world.
LOVE this idea: a Medium reader directed me to this stack and you bet I'll be restacking!
I so appreciate the help to share this. My skills at maneuvering on Substack aren't as good as my ideas for helping the world!
Nor are mine, but I shared it on X/twitter (some of us are still there, holding our noses).
What an amazing way to get transformative ideas out!! This is a blessing!
In 1965 at 14 years old, I came to the conclusion that we were all one human family and that the idea of borders of countries and passports were just figments of our imagination, Everyone thought I was crazy and that idea never got out!
For my story, I was the only Jewish child in my school system when prejudice was public and pervasive, and why I was the wrong thing was so incomprehensible to me that I think it's what made me so dogged about waking the world up! Fingers crossed this contest comes up with what at least can help to do that!
Wish I'd seen this sooner!! I don't think I'll be able to turn anything round in two days :( can't wait to read the winners, this is such a fab idea.
I extended the deadline for submissions to February 21. Start typing!
I'm so glad I saw this! (and the updated post) gla I have a bit more time to tie up loose ends.
Best wishes, Suzanne 🙏 Should be very interesting. So much talent out there...
I see someone shared their story in a note. I have done the same.
I would love to interview you on my podcast about this Suzanne. Let me know if you'd be open for that
We should be partners. Let's fix the world. Fine to start on your podcast. Maybe do a series?!
Fun to listen to your Jedi self: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5fSed0mFZXDueTmIzdJ6WH
Wow Suzanne! That was definitely a Jedi moment! SO great you dug that up
A series would be great. I wonder if we could add some extra storytelling dynamics
There's no end to what you and I likely would come up with. Find a few more like us and I predict we'd make magic together!
There are more of us! We have been building a cosmic team for a couple years now. Seeking support actually: https://www.cosmiclabyrinth.world/aboutus
Sign me up as the Cosmic Cheerleader! Will look at more than I've seen later.
What is this craziness? https://indyrishisingh.substack.com/p/from-mars-to-mushrooms-elon-musks
you may enjoy this one more https://indyrishisingh.substack.com/p/gov-newsom-launches-groundbreaking
Great idea, Suzanne! I'll pass this along.
Fingers crossed others will! And how about an essay from you?
Wow, Suzanne, stunning, is this the catalyst we need ? S'got me thinking already......
Hey Folks, sharpen thy quills with Love. Peace Maurice
From your lips to god's ear, as they say. I like "the catalyst we need." Maybe!
Let's make it happen, then. See you on the Boulevard. Peace, Maurice
Apparently there was an issue with my submission and I cannot figure it out. The dividing line, the hyperlinks & references? I'm actually quite a bit sad about that and not winning a saving grace of monetary assistance, but perhaps it wasn't meant to be. I'm going to continue realizing this vision regardless, and I hope you read it anyway. Grateful for you for hosting this contest at all and inspiring myself & others to take action toward helping emerge the Age of Helpfulness!
https://lavitz.substack.com/p/2050-essay-contest-submission
What a good idea to post it here. Others can do that, too. What you wrote was smart and well presented but it doesn't come from you being in 2050 and reflecting on what happened to turn the world around.
Great idea! It will inspire many to look for the path to solve the existential problem that society is facing. We need the collaboration of millions to resolve the challenges ahead, and this initiative could motivate many to join in working on a way forward.
Sorry, I didn't realise this competition already happened. I am a newbie on Substack. Still, it's a great idea.
It had some interesting results, good and bad. Here's where you can see the good, where just being asked to think jostled people from a prevailing sense of helplessness: https://suespeaks.org/essay-contest. But it was disappointing in that their newfound enthusiasm was overshadowed by the struggle to keep afloat they were in so they did not become the activists coalition I hoped we could create.
I appreciate your support. Let's do valuable things together to help this hurting world!
You received some really interesting comments regarding your January 1- 1950 competition. These are the kind of people who are looking for guidance and want to get engaged and valuable collaborators.
We must gradually provide them with a "to-do" list to keep their enthusiasm and hope up.
Their struggle to stay afloat is a common problem throughout the world. In my view, there is no chance that we can appeal to people's altruism or sacrifice to achieve the results we are looking for.
This is why my philosophy of change is based on the Environmental Economy (EE), where business growth is beneficial to the environment instead of harming it. This also enables participants to create wealth and prosperity.
Another motivation is that the carbon economy is shrinking due to the limitations of natural resources, while EE has no such limitations. It is much better to grow business in a booming economy than in a declining one.
We are planning to provide basic requirements and knowledge for starting a business. Our primary target market is people losing jobs due to technological advancement and high school and university students looking for new or first steps into the workforce.
I am happy to cooperate with you on our shared objectives, and I am sure that we can find a way to collaborate.
You received some really interesting comments regarding your January 1- 1950 competition. These are the kind of people who are looking for guidance and want to get engaged and valuable collaborators.
We must gradually provide them with a "to-do" list to keep their enthusiasm and hope up.
Their struggle to stay afloat is a common problem throughout the world. In my view, there is no chance that we can appeal to people's altruism or sacrifice to achieve the results we are looking for.
This is why my philosophy of change is based on the Environmental Economy (EE), where business growth is beneficial to the environment instead of harming it. This also enables participants to create wealth and prosperity.
Another motivation is that the carbon economy is shrinking due to the limitations of natural resources, while EE has no such limitations. It is much better to grow business in a booming economy than in a declining one.
We are planning to provide basic requirements and knowledge for starting a business. Our primary target market is people losing jobs due to technological advancement and high school and university students looking for new or first steps into the workforce. The numbers are astounding.
I am happy to cooperate with you on our shared objectives, and I am sure that we can find a way to collaborate.