…2/2
A common story reinforces the idea that wealth, in the form of money, equals quality of life. This in spite of repeated studies confirming that above a basic level, money does not increase our happiness. Another outdated story tells us that politics in a free society is all about opposition and power. At a time when we need all hands on deck to address the challenges we face, this story does little to foster collaboration. Instead of nurturing a culture of safety and bold innovation, the story perpetuates the opportunistic mudslinging that leads to systemic intransigence and polarization.
Real change – whether in the arena of politics, economics, education or energy – requires the support of a common story. Sure we can bring about incremental change by opposing policies or protesting the status quo. But that change is fragile – vulnerable to be reversed at any time – if it is not rooted in our collective narrative – the story we tell ourselves and each other – what I like to call the ethos of our civilization.
Yes, being able to invent, tell, share and believe stories is indeed our superpower. Our civilization was built on it. Our survival depends on it. And we will use it to destroy our world if we are not wise, careful and engaged. But that is a story we don’t tend to tell. That story has massive implications and comes with endless responsibilities – responsibilities most of us would just as soon not be faced with.
And yet, perhaps unwittingly, we all help to shape the story of our civilization every day. What we buy, where we go, who we see, even how we feel, reinforces some stories and relegates others to the dustbin of history. We do it without thinking about it, believing we are driven by need or want, passion or indifference, love or hate. But in fact we are the co-creators of our reality – we are the masters of our story.
Perhaps we should be telling ourselves new stories. Stories of hope and love. Stories of collaboration and cooperation. Stories of trust and respect. Stories of the value of our natural world. Stories of a future we can be proud to pass on to our children. We need these new stories if we are to address the multiple, complex and interconnected challenges of our time.
