Triple Play 

by josuter

Social media and political podcasts have played an essential role in keeping the integrity of journalism alive.  It is essential for change.  In truth however, these podcasts are becoming a bit boring.  Mearsheimer seems too predictable, and sure, it’s fun to be a part of J-Nap’s club with his half-million followers, but what are he and his followers doing to end the forever wars?  It will take more than just getting angry or projecting ad hominem attacks.   

Leaders don’t care what citizens think.  We must make them care.  We must make them listen and change course.  The courts are too slow, and mainstream media is controlled by vested interests who hide the truth, only reporting what they find convenient.  This creates a glass ceiling for useful information.  We cannot reclaim democracy just at the ballot box.  It is time to move to the next level.   It is time for a Triple Play.

ONE-  Temple University  

The Question is “What is Anti-Semitism and what is Not?”  The goal here is to put decision-making back in the hands of Temple students.  Except for extreme cases, students should be able to judge what is anti-semitic and decide on a reasonable consequence.   We as individuals and Small Groups (SG) from all over the country can focus on Temple for a few weeks, pushing ideas and information to them.  This means up to and including public humiliation of those who abuse language or abuse their official position of power.  Don’t know anyone who attends Temple?  Maybe, but you probably know someone who knows someone else . . . we are all connected.    

TWO – 2,3,4^th Tier Diplomats for Ukraine

The fact that our leaders are not talking with the Russians is frankly a sign of immaturity.  Citizens can playact diplomacy as an alternative channel for communications and publish their results.  We can cross borders with translators, using people of almost any age.  Just nominate someone and support them.  Create a Division of Labor for finding and filtering Ideas and Information.  Efficiency and integrity are top priorities.  This is not a social club.

THREE – Deconstruct Nuclear Weapons (NW)  

Nuclear weapons treaties are good but temporary.  In the long run treaties are not enough.   An increasing number of nations want Nuclear Weapons.  Therefore the chance of an accident goes up.  Decisions about whether or not to launch thousands of NW must be made within minutes.  A “launch” order will mean the end of human civilization.  Survivors – if any – will be in survival mode. Deconstruction of NW at this point in time is the better option.  NW can be replaced with Precision Kinetic Missiles (PKM) that are not nuclear, but they are precision and travel at supersonic speeds, from 5-10 times the speed of sound.  At the time of this writing there is no way to stop them.  i.e. There is no defense against PKM’s.  All countries, both Nuclear and Non-Nuclear should be part of an offensive PKM group of 3 or more nations.  PKMs can be triggered to work the same as a NW or set to trigger even faster.  A system of 3 or more PKM’s can be aimed at the capital city of a nearby nuclear nation, arriving sooner than a conventional missile.  This system is safer than any system of Nuclear Weapons.  A nation targeted by several PKM’s may need to find new leadership, but the country will survive.  This will remove reasons for the continued existence of NW.  

It is unlikely that Nuclear nations will institute this system by themselves.  Non-Nuclear nations, like responsible older siblings, must take the initiative to set up such a system.  

The leadership in the West has been wrong about many things during these forever wars, including estimating the strength and resources of both our allies and our opponents.  Inadequate information led to an incomplete mental models and poor understanding of the situation.  We will be unable to respond to changing environments – political, social, or natural environments – without better information filters.   

We must go beyond what our leaders can envision.  Humiliation should only be a last resort for people who cannot listen and learn.  We must look for more than someone to save us.  We need to develop communication channels and processes to find practical solutions.

Each of the items listed in this Triple Play will require some Person-to-Person (P2P) communication.  This can be difficult to get started.   For many reasons, P2P may be the site of greatest resistance to change.  It is the place of greatest fear, especially if one of the persons is holding a gun.  It is also the place of greatest love and greatest sacrifice. Democracy is won or lost at this level.  It is foundational.     

We must push others to make decisions.  Push them uphill.  The Temple students must not only be allowed to take control of the Sem-Anti-Sem issue but pushed to take responsibility for making judgements and considering consequences.  This is part of their education.  

We must find places and ways to increase our ability to ask good questions and search for Useful Information.  Play with the Question.  Try a hypothetical situation.  SGs may be the best place to start and try to figure out how to move useful information and ideas.  SGs can be started with few friends who strategize, then maybe pass flyers with Questions or Ideas around the neighborhood community (even anonymously to start).  i.e.  “How do you (we) know anything about issue X?”  Keep below radar until there is some momentum. 

Big issues will require some planning and Division of labor for Information Gathering (DIG). Yet each smaller part can be started by a small, local group.   We are not selling anything.  We are challenging others to play ball.