One dreadlock is stronger than one strand

"Without question, when people are uncertain, they are more likely to use others' actions to decide how they themselves should act...It is the conduct of such [others] that gives us the greatest insight into what constitutes correct behavior for ourselves."

- Robert Cialdini, Influence: the psychology of persuasion 

If you're reading this post right now, you're likely informed to some extent of the ecological and social emergency that climate change is winding up and beginning to deliver. You're also likely aware of the existence of a disinformation campaign that is so far pretty effective at leaving people questioning whether there's an issue at all (somewhat embarrassing to admit is that I still find myself wondering at times if this issue is even real).

Your only assignment this week is to have 5 conversations about climate change with your peers that you wouldn't otherwise have. 

Think for a moment about typical topics of small talk in your circles. See if they could start like this:

• "Yo did you see those cars in Ellicott city just floating down the street?! With way more intense storms due to climate change headed our way, we'll probably be seeing more of that each year. Plus, those businesses..."
• "I finally got around to watching the video of the Oklahoma senator disproving climate change with a snow ball thrown on the senate floor. He must've missed 5th grade science when we learned the difference between weather and climate." (This is a great 2-minute overview of the difference.)
• "I wonder how much of this Baltimore heat is typical or if climate change is responsible for any of it." (Truth is, I have no idea. Truth also is, it doesn't matter. Climate change is real, it's got measurable impacts, and the momentum is only building.)
• Bring up Bill Clinton's "Grandparents' test" or his economics point here.

Don't forget: 5 conversations with your peers about climate change this week.

"Embarrassment is a villain to be crushed here."

- Robert Cialdini, Influence: the psychology of persuasion 

"One dreadlock is stronger than one strand." - Psychology, by Dead Prez 

A teacher's guide to saving the world

When I taught in Baltimore City, I used to start each school year/semester with a question to my students: how many of you see things in Baltimore every day that you would change if you had the power? What would you like to change?

And then I'd share that that's why I'm a teacher - there are things about Baltimore that I would like to change, and teaching is my expression, my tool to get it done.

A friend asked me yesterday to describe what I think the essence of teaching is. I told him that I think it's partly accessing, for myself, a beginner's mind when it comes to information I want my students to learn. I like to start at first principles for a concept, build myself as completely solid an understanding of it that I can, then structure a lesson that my students can climb to achieve a sufficiently deep understanding for themselves.

My intention with my eco self-study for the past year has been to start with an empty notebook and sketch a solid structure from first principles - a solid structure for how to transform our society from exploitative consumption to ecosystem-enhancing relationships. It's only after talking with my friend yesterday that I notice that I've been approaching the self-study like I approach teaching.

Part of my evolution-derived nature is to seek to make things better. There are things about this world that I would like to change. And it's likely that there are things about this world that you would like to change. Of the various traits and perspectives that make up who I am, my fundamental commitment is to share in creating a future where all life is given its best chance at fulfillment.

What would you like to change to make the world a better place?