The Empathic Civilization: The Race to Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis

[Dover]

Jeremy Rifkin argues that a new science of human nature is emerging that demonstrates that humans are not as aggressive, materialistic and self-interested as once believed. He says humans are driven by empathy and cooperation. Mr. Rifkin spoke at Politics and Prose Bookstore in Washington, DC.

Watch Video here:

http://www.booktv.org/Program/11251/The+Empathic+Civilization+The+Race+to+Global+Consciousness+in+a+World+in+Crisis.aspx

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Does he read the news? I am saddened and feel very cynical about the future

of mankind. It seems to be the exception, and not the rule to find someone who is willing to go out of their way to help another person.
Selfishness and "me first" and "I've got mine, screw you" seem to be the more popular philosophies these days.

There are incredible humanitarian movements around, and lots of exceptionally generous people..but it appears they are exactly that, the exception, not the rule.

I hope that I am misperceiving and Jeremy Rifkin is right.

BTW: Link is to a Barry Lynn Show
I think this may be the correct link
http://www.booktv.org/Program/11251/The+Empathic+Civilization+The+Race+to+Global+Consciousness+in+a+World+in+Crisis.aspx

[Mojorabbit]

2. I agree

I used to think we were evolving but instead it seems the opposite. I hope I am wrong.

[Dover]

4. I think the reality on the ground is VERY different than the one created by the media.

I had an elderly neighbor that rarely got outside and spent much of his day watching t.v.
He and his late wife had lived in the neighborhood for over 25 years.
I spoke to him one day when he was out getting his mail and discovered how absolutely
terrified and vulnerable he felt - triple locks on his door and outside gate, bars on the
windows, security lights at night, etc. When I probed a little deeper about what, in his
experiences, had led him to be so fearful he spewed a bunch of stories and statistics he
had gotten from t.v. That was his ONLY source, and had shaped his perceptions of the world.

I asked him if he had ever, in his 25 years in this neighborhood or town, had any experiences
that confirmed that perception. He looked absolutely stumped, but then warned me I should really
watch the local news sometime and take precautions! And then he locked his gate behind him and
went back into his cave. His perceptions have created a prison for him. He thinks he's keeping
the world out, but he's actually only built his own prison walls.

My experience of the world, both local and in distant travels, has formed a very different reality
for me. Occasionally something 'bad' happens, but its rare and I have found that the difficult
ones can actually be the most potent as regards my own growth. But for the most part people have
been kind and generous and anxious to be helpful and form connections/relations.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. It would ceertainly be in keeping with the fear and ingnorance that the MSM is trying to maintain in

the population. Fearful and ignorant people are easily led by those who want power.

I would rather believe that you are right....and hopefully await confirmation.

[Dover]

6. I think the only way to get confirmation is to step out the door...

and go out to greet life with an open heart.

This elderly neighbor died a year ago and I just felt so sad to think of how, in an attempt to
preserve his life, his safety, he had really lost his life long ago. Perhaps he's 'on the
other side' slapping his forehead and exclaiming...."I coulda had a V8!!!".

On edit: thanks for the link correction. I changed it in the OP.

[tama]

7. Fuck the news

Smash your TV, wake up from the hypnosis of shock and awe treatment, go out and have good time with with other people.

[Lost4words]

3. Bravo! thanks for posting!!

maybe there is hope yet?