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.
Hi Suzanne. I've read your list of 20 essays, but sadly I cannot cast a vote as my prevailing impression is that none of them are actually practical! As a former medical practitioner (now health philosopher and health promotion educator) I have to be realistic an focused in my decisions and actions. This has been a fascinating process, and I congratulate you on the commitment you are making to improve the potential for life to be fulfilling. I'll keep connected and hopeful. Trevor Griffiths
Hi Sue. Yes, you are making a fair point. For me it comes back to the same topic we have 'played tennis' about before - the inward-outward energies. I have difficulty seeing how a purely outward-moving energy communicating among adults can save the world. No matter how good a system set up among envisioned adults, the next upcoming generation of toddlers (sleepless nights for parents), children (bullies and victims), disagreements leading to divorces grief and disappointments that embed hidden resentments (or not so hidden resentments), can scupper the best of plans. That is why my personal 'Emotional Logic' lifelong learning approach always includes families and learning how to reconcile family dynamics across the generations. That brings an inward counterpart to the outward focus, but the inward part adds the potential for stability and sustainability into a multi-generational, constantly growing world by moving beyond the accumulation of resentments. Add a pinch of Emotional Logic learning into the recipe offered by any of the finalist plans, and their plans stand a chance of envisioning the next generation... (especially the circular economy winner!) AND you are doing a great job of envisioning! :-) Thanks.
But it's not a fair critique that the essays didn't deal with basic emotional intelligence, as if not dealing with it indicated it's absence. It had to be self-aware people who would be capable of making the genuine connections the stories had them in. Their life stories, about becoming self-aware, is another project. This calls to mind that if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Hmmm If all you have is Emotional Logic,...???
And likewise... If all you have is parents who are 'out there' doing stuff and have no time for 'me' (their children), everything looks pointless to their children...
I wasn't running down the essays for not dealing with basic emotional intelligence, Sue. I was pointing out why I could not cast a vote between them because of a flaw that I personally saw in their sustainability. The initiators and motivators who set the programs going probably do have the emotional intelligence to have brought up a strong 'next generation'. However, to spread out to 'the world' means that THAT next generation, and THEIR next generation, are going to have to deal with their sense of loss constructively, as well as learning to celebrate equalising gain. A circular economy is a brilliant idea, Sue, but to achieve it sustainably is a both-and situation with regard to those whose lack of inner strength drives them to gather stuff (or power) instead. Learning to activate their inbuilt Emotional Logic would release energy for THEM, which could then sustain the circular economy growth if they diversified the way they harness that emotional energy appropriately to their unique life situations and challenges to keep the circularity going. If you sustainably also generate emotional self-awareness and empathy, then these many programs you have discovered would all have more sustainable growth - is my point.
No entry passed your muster because none dealt with self awareness to your liking, as if that would or even should have been a parameter for the contest. It's okay not to be interested in a contest that doesn't deal with that, but I take issue with you being critical of this one for something it never was supposed to be.
Suzanne, you seem intent on misunderstanding me. I am not being critical of this contest. Please look back over all my responses to you. I was merely explaining why I could not vote in it, but if you find that explanation irrelevant then please just let go of it and keep your energy radiating, as I also shall now do. To repeat: I am NOT being critical of this contest.
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.
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.
Hi Suzanne. I've read your list of 20 essays, but sadly I cannot cast a vote as my prevailing impression is that none of them are actually practical! As a former medical practitioner (now health philosopher and health promotion educator) I have to be realistic an focused in my decisions and actions. This has been a fascinating process, and I congratulate you on the commitment you are making to improve the potential for life to be fulfilling. I'll keep connected and hopeful. Trevor Griffiths
How so? There was a lot of the same sort of practicality yours was based on (https://suespeaks.org/we-saved-the-world-one-relationship-at-a-time), people to people connecting till it encompasses the world.
Hi Sue. Yes, you are making a fair point. For me it comes back to the same topic we have 'played tennis' about before - the inward-outward energies. I have difficulty seeing how a purely outward-moving energy communicating among adults can save the world. No matter how good a system set up among envisioned adults, the next upcoming generation of toddlers (sleepless nights for parents), children (bullies and victims), disagreements leading to divorces grief and disappointments that embed hidden resentments (or not so hidden resentments), can scupper the best of plans. That is why my personal 'Emotional Logic' lifelong learning approach always includes families and learning how to reconcile family dynamics across the generations. That brings an inward counterpart to the outward focus, but the inward part adds the potential for stability and sustainability into a multi-generational, constantly growing world by moving beyond the accumulation of resentments. Add a pinch of Emotional Logic learning into the recipe offered by any of the finalist plans, and their plans stand a chance of envisioning the next generation... (especially the circular economy winner!) AND you are doing a great job of envisioning! :-) Thanks.
But it's not a fair critique that the essays didn't deal with basic emotional intelligence, as if not dealing with it indicated it's absence. It had to be self-aware people who would be capable of making the genuine connections the stories had them in. Their life stories, about becoming self-aware, is another project. This calls to mind that if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Hmmm If all you have is Emotional Logic,...???
And likewise... If all you have is parents who are 'out there' doing stuff and have no time for 'me' (their children), everything looks pointless to their children...
I wasn't running down the essays for not dealing with basic emotional intelligence, Sue. I was pointing out why I could not cast a vote between them because of a flaw that I personally saw in their sustainability. The initiators and motivators who set the programs going probably do have the emotional intelligence to have brought up a strong 'next generation'. However, to spread out to 'the world' means that THAT next generation, and THEIR next generation, are going to have to deal with their sense of loss constructively, as well as learning to celebrate equalising gain. A circular economy is a brilliant idea, Sue, but to achieve it sustainably is a both-and situation with regard to those whose lack of inner strength drives them to gather stuff (or power) instead. Learning to activate their inbuilt Emotional Logic would release energy for THEM, which could then sustain the circular economy growth if they diversified the way they harness that emotional energy appropriately to their unique life situations and challenges to keep the circularity going. If you sustainably also generate emotional self-awareness and empathy, then these many programs you have discovered would all have more sustainable growth - is my point.
And thanks, Sue, for drawing out this point!
No entry passed your muster because none dealt with self awareness to your liking, as if that would or even should have been a parameter for the contest. It's okay not to be interested in a contest that doesn't deal with that, but I take issue with you being critical of this one for something it never was supposed to be.
Suzanne, you seem intent on misunderstanding me. I am not being critical of this contest. Please look back over all my responses to you. I was merely explaining why I could not vote in it, but if you find that explanation irrelevant then please just let go of it and keep your energy radiating, as I also shall now do. To repeat: I am NOT being critical of this contest.