The new political story that could change everything | George Monbiot

To get out of the mess we're in, we need a new story that explains the present and guides the future, says author George Monbiot. Drawing on findings from psychology, neuroscience and evolutionary biology, he offers a new vision for society built around our fundamental capacity for altruism and cooperation. This contagiously optimistic talk will make you rethink the possibilities for our shared future.
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[@ShamanartsFlorida]

the new story isn't profitable to the tellers of the old story

[@thomass5169]

This new version is not new. Comrade.

[@ryanRS250]

@@thomass5169 from one conservative to another. i think you're missing the point, brother.

[@missusbarkdog]

...like Georgie.

[@krisnamurti9242]

The new story should be the old story: a government of the people, by the people, for the people. For all aspect of life. We do that in school with school board and PTA. We do that in our government with the democratic process. It works (well, it used to work before the age of the social media, but I digress). Why left the biggest part of our life, the part that gives us life (the economy is our lifeblood, without it, most of us in the modern world can't even say we're living, hence terms like livable wages etc.) to a feudal authoritarian system? Where the executive (CEO and upper management) and the legislative (investors with voting shares) can unilaterally act in a way that would affect the whole company with employee numbering more than population of some large cities. Time to kick the old feudalism. It has been proven broken long ago.

[@mcara17]

It never does, dear.

[@declanwk1]

the easiest, simplest conclusion to come to, is that we are doomed. When faced with truly existential crisis, we simply carried on the old narratives of competition and division. But because there is no second act on this one, we have to do better. Our rulers are not up to the job, our media is mostly in their thrall. People like George Monbiot give me hope.

[@joshcote5053]

“Despair is a failure of imagination.” Spot on

[@accuratealloys]

Josh Cote say that to the 22 veterans that commit suicide each day. They just lack imagination right?

[@ryanRS250]

@@accuratealloys he means societal despair. God bless our veterans.

[@privateauthor7037]

Or a consequence of ruthlessness

[@danieljones9463]

@@accuratealloys There are probably many reasons that 22 veterans commit suicide each day. Lack of imagination probably does have a part in this tragedy...at least for some of these Individuals.

[@jageo48]

@@accuratealloys& Josh Cote: If you think the returning vets are despondent, take another look at what is coming down the pike, for those still enamoured by business as usual, in the face of this looming climate catastrophe, brother.

[@TheMercilessEye]

Great talk. His book is great, too: HOW DID WE GET INTO THIS MESS? Glad he's taking his story public.

[@RaxLakhani]

Gonna get myself a copy of the book based in this talk and your recommendation.

[@Broomehall]

Sure ..... after the book, the tour, the merchandise, the interactive game, the film, the MONEY ..... get a life people, just another " I've got the answer, no really i have" Guru, who's so full of himself his skin is stretching.

[@LeanAndMean44]

Very important question to ask.

[@LeanAndMean44]

@@Broomehall no. You couldn’t know at the time, but he broke down and cried on Good Morning Britain. Every other participant in the conversation were sorry for him. He completely refused this and once again put their attention to the actual people suffering. Not him, the global south. He has devoted his life to environmentalism. He actually cares. If he was so selfish, he would promote himself more. But he doesn’t. He talks and writes in various different places, yet newer refers to his books or his KZbin channel. In all his talks combined, he could have reached millions about his books. He could have made millions on the promotion of his work. But I’ve only heard him even talk about his book once, which is the newest, Regenesis. I can send you two videos which further prove my point and should convince you, unless you’re someone without any empathy or respect for other humans. The one video is that from Good Morning Britain, the other one is him sincerely having a talk with someone like-minded and which he has only uploaded on his small channel.

[@LeanAndMean44]

@@Broomehall 14:35 you don’t have to agree with him, he never suggested he is the only one who knows the right answer.

[@sarahl9201]

Props to this guy for keeping his energy up the whole time!

[@ChrisDragotta]

Sarah L Probably a theater major.

[@xaviermahele03]

Chris Dragotta George studied zoology at Oxford

[@DaveE99]

I loved this, before seeing this I told someone the outline for the story to bring us all together is already there , we just need the courage to tell it. Resonate with deep needs and desires - grounded in reality, I love this guy!

[@RAM-nv3ss]

This speech far from a like deserves an admired appreciation and hope it doesn’t stay in a momentous inspiration for mankind, but rather a kick start for general action! 🙌🏼

[@Dead_pixelz_]

Down with the oligarchy. Down with the two party system.

[@garwvalley6946]

The One Party ;)

[@moabt.frican7163]

Up with the 69 party system

[@alexmac8000]

Finn MacCool still insulting everyone who disagrees with you, I see.

[@mistercohaagen]

@Finn MacCool Can you define what you mean by "liberal" for me? Do they have horns? Where do they live, what do they eat? What makes them a threat?

[@luisvanden2053]

@Finn MacCool yikes, can see your projections on the moon mate.

[@islandmonusvi]

The Politics of Belonging ...a new mythology for the 21st Century. Brilliant ...compelling

[@VincentGill3]

I have known this for a long time, The rabbit hole of deception goes very deep into our human history. I used to get depressed when thinking of the future - then I got some good news after watching a video on KZbin. The KZbin video was called "One Small Town" (can change the world). It contains a plan for small town communities to transition out of the banking system. Best wishes to all.

[@dulynoted2427]

Vincent Gill Pull your money out of the banks that contribute to candidates and that helped the 2008 recession AND put it into your local Credit Union.

[@aaldrikbakker]

#Yanggang #andrewyang is telling exactly this story - the reason of his succes too. #Yang2020

[@stvkkkk11]

Am I the only one relating this to ANDREW YANG's stories? Not right, not left, but forward. No matter it's the UBI or climate change plan, he kills it. He should be the one brings us THE NEW STORY where humanity comes the first.

[@dulynoted2427]

IvyDev0 D Yang dipped his foot into the shill pool. Bernie has much more integrity and has lead his whole life by example.

[@jonodonozym]

@@dulynoted2427 If you're talking about JPMorgan paying him 2k per speech, that's actually below market price for a published author to come speak. Andrew, as a published author, was giving a speech on his book, 'The War on Normal People,' and did not actively solicit campaign support during it apart from having a small campaign watermark on his slides. He was even cleared by an ex-adviser for the FEC.

[@tenchichrono]

@@dulynoted2427 Oh hey found the angry BernieBro.

[@yi-gangjeremytai9326]

@@dulynoted2427 "If you write a best-selling book, you can be a millionaire, too." said Bernie. I'm quite OK with that.

[@yi-gangjeremytai9326]

@@jonodonozym I actually wonder whether Yang's speech played a role in Jamie Dimon saying shareholder value is no longer their main objective.

[@chanchalbr6402]

Simply brilliant. People need to believe in something, and a story is a great way as we can see.

[@nmarbletoe8210]

it even can be like software for society

[@antikokalis]

Problem is he thinks with feelings instead of facts. There has never been less poverty on the planet (google extreme poverty on the planet). The guy is a fanatical commie

[@nmarbletoe8210]

@@antikokalis Yes about poverty -- huge progress and it may be less than ever! But you don't have to be a fan commie to not know that. Everyone does not know that. Fucking news doesn't report on good news because that sells less shampoo, i guess.

[@gammaraygem]

what story did the lizard have when floods and predators made it grow wings? things arent bad enough yet. a story is just another lame excuse for not mastering YOURSELF and nobody else.

[@hydernoori146]

Hedging bets over "people" as opposed to market laws in just hysterical. Besides making you feel good, it doesn't do much more. Actually it's dangerous.

[@CharDaLuX]

That is the best speech describing the human condition I have ever heard. Gives me hope. A true leader whom I would vote for. 👍

[@foxledbyheart7752]

Because you are brainwashed😂

[@braedansings3042]

As a Yang supporter, I resonate with this video

[@RobertHildebrandt]

Yes, this video could be used as an ad for Andrew Yang.

[@BlackandPoly]

#yanggang2020

[@rioboe1]

Yang needs a Ying!!!

[@swk1100]

Political you say? Me: Takes popcorn and watches the comment section.

[@Super-qr7wm]

Lol

[@danieljones9463]

?

[@procdalsinazev]

The comment section is full of some Yins and Yangs so far :-)

[@danieljones9463]

@@procdalsinazev I'm thinking that it is where the "Yin and Yang" touch, that the best work of Humanity will occur. The "Yin" and the "Yang" are both important, but it will be in the vast gray area between them that the Evolutionary Harmonization could occur.

[@danieljones9463]

I've had a chance to think about this and I get it now. Yes. This is a fragment of Real Life unfolding before Our popcorn filled faces.

[@curtismmichaels]

A much needed message, thank you sir!

[@isoblah]

Andrew Yang is THAT new story. 🌟📚🌟 #Yang2020 🇺🇸 🦅 🇺🇸

[@juliewake4585]

You’re so right George. I was feeling despair following the election result last week. I hate the idea of competing with our fellow men. A society of altruists governed by psychopaths. Spot on.

[@easywind4044]

This guy does a good job of synthesizing what is happening today. The raising of Ayn Rand’s objectivism to the level of doctrine has been a mistake and it could lead to our extinction. Altruism will save the planet and our species.

[@AJ-xm4xc]

Amazing how many people in power follow ayn rand.

[@revspikejonez]

@@AJ-xm4xc yeah, most people in power don't concern themselves with the people they've used to get there.

[@bobtaylor170]

Frank Maskil, Ayn Rand's wretched soul has gone to its proper reward, and because her disembodied soul is as powerless in itself as everyone else's, I presume she's cold, starving, homeless, and naked.

[@misstracy9296]

Thank you so much !! That's what I'm talking about ! Glad to see someone else say it too !!!!

[@fermentedtruths]

Why on Earth has this not gone viral?!! “Strange answers to the psychopath test” has 16M views 😢

[@DannyIsEverywhere]

MummyTries Reneé Davis I’m trying my best to share this everywhere on twitter ... @MENTALIS7

[@fermentedtruths]

Danny Garcia seriously thought provoking stuff and could lead to the society of dreams 💚

[@davidmead6337]

All of these ideas are wonderful. As usual, George offers only ideas and no pathways to this situation. LIttle less talk and a huge amount of action needed.

[@greatboniwanker]

*We are a society of altruists, but we're governed by psychopaths* Get involved, vote locally, vote every time & encourage your neighbors to do the same!

[@jamespier7801]

greatboniwanker Hey, where did you get the Kool-Aid?

[@accuratealloys]

Voting gave us Trump.

[@ianclose123]

Don't kid yourself. We are a society of psychopaths who are occasionally (when someone is watching) altruistic. I dunno where you come from, but if I leave my front door unlocked when I am out I won't come home to a house full of gifts, I'll come home to a house thats been robbed, vandalised and probably has defecation smeared all over the place. I know far more people who would avoid paying tax if they were able to, than I do know people who would pay extra tax out of the kindness of their own hearts. If we're going to embark on a brave new endeavor in politics, let's at least do it on one not rooted in well meaning naivity.

[@katypreen9588]

The difference between bonding communities and bridging communities is important. We need to look after those who get left behind, or won't or can't participate for whatever reason. Often when groups are formed to work for some sort of social good, they tend to comprise the most privileged members of a society, and often benefit those same privileged people. We need to include everyone, and work to benefit everyone. Like the concept of belonging, the tendency to exclude crosses political lines, and we need to find a way of overcoming it.

[@RLeaguer_Saint]

Utterly inspirational! I’m in!

[@chrisso1973]

GM 4 PM!!!! Please help us save ourselves from ourselves, George!

[@shadowprince4482]

Amazing how many people in the comments are just adding further proof to the talk. People utterly consumed by identity politics.

[@gammaraygem]

what story did the lizard have when floods and predators made it grow wings? things arent bad enough yet. a story is just another lame excuse for not mastering YOURSELF and nobody else.

[@bfk1970]

Unfortunately, when there is one side of a two sided system that rejects science, because it doesn't like facts, we are only left with a single option. The imminent looming disaster of climate change is more important than any political persuasion or person.

[@BuddyLee23]

I don’t have an stake in any identity politics myself, but this guy is a starry-eyed dreamer if there ever is one. His panacea comes from a modernist “grand narrative” storytelling, implies that stories are more important than factual knowledge, and that we’ve been led astray by those big bad psychopaths. If only we could get “us” reasonable people in to lead us, and drive all those psychos out of power... What he fails to mention is that WE are the psychopaths. Evil is banal, and power corrupts all humans alike. It’s all too human. He needs to go back to ivory-tower and continue his myopic study of naval-gazing.

[@ronaldlogan3525]

@@BuddyLee23 You may have think of it differently if you ever read "The Power Of Myth" by Joseph Campbell. In it he gives some very good reasons and explanations of how the human species is psychologically anchored to the over-arching narratives that are embedded in our mythologies. It is true for all cultures in the present and in history. It is a similar concept to Dr. Jung's idea of the collective conscious and how human emotions, instincts, and human psychology is tethered to the concept of narrative. If you read much about psychological bias, the different types of bias, you come up with very good evidence that refutes the idea that humans behave logically based on factual knowledge. It turns out that we are not at all like Mr. Spock.

[@BuddyLee23]

@@ronaldlogan3525 no one is arguing that story, mythos, and overarching narratives haven't served us well and perhaps even occupy some familiar, dispositional ground in our both our collective and individual psyches, but your basic assertion is far more reasonable than the speaker in this vid, and his wild claims of storytelling salvation. Few would contend that we are not passionate, irrational, fallible creatures, but the last thing we need is to encourage, is for any more of us to give ourselves over to even further emotion. Our world would do well to have a few more Mr. Spocks within it!

[@kerryfry1857]

Great speech. Needs to viral.

[@suheda9546]

You are awesome...

[@xavierporterfield6137]

I'm going to take a subscription out to Double Down News today. Well said. Love the bit in the end that celebrates our humanity.

[@ExoEarth]

Good to see Monbiot on TED! He needs more attention.

[@Zurvan101]

The utter failure of Socialism to achieve its goals needs more attention.

[@ExoEarth]

General Public what if this isn’t about socialism

[@davidclifford5124]

George Monbiot is very a nice bloke. He’s a very intelligent and thoroughly decent man and no one with a heart could dislike him. But, as Tommy Cooper might say, from here on in, my comments go down-hill. I certainly agree with George’s final theme that more needs to be done to encourage human beings to engage with one another at a local level. Most people, in my experience, are much more talented than they think they are. Perhaps, in the past, particularly before the mass media, people didn’t have to compare themselves with the ‘super gifted’ from around the world and those with celebrity status. In reality, amazing people can be found in every street, in every town and in every country across the planet. (The converse is also true, of course. A lot of the supposedly super gifted are not as talented as they think they are, but that’s another ‘story’). So, I believe that George is right to finally home in on the importance of community, local democracy, participation and engagement. But what a meal he makes of the journey! To listen to George, one might conclude that everything is totally torn asunder in the world. George’s description of where we are all now is naive and exaggerated. We are not ruled by psychopaths. That’s silly, and it’s important to realise that despite all the dreadful things that are going on in the world, life is gradually, albiet painfully slowly, getting better. Steven Pinker, in his book ‘The better angels of our nature’, charts that gradual improvement in considerable and, for me, convincing detail. In my view, the problem of world governance can only be properly understood if it’s viewed from a ‘power perspective’. I use the word ‘power’ in the limited sense of ‘the ability to get other people to do things that they don’t want to do and to prevent other people from doing things that they do want to do’. Both of these things can be achieved in many ways. Physical force is the ultimate one but the powerful can and do use other more sophisticated methods. A familiar one is misleading people and lying. Another is presenting arguments which seem convincing but are, in reality, bogus. The most powerful means, however, is the use of ideology, whether it’s religious, political or tribal and it is ideology that George is seeking to conflate with ‘a story’. I agree with George that stories play a vital part in human discourse. We see stories everywhere. From our primitive beginnings, once we had language to convey our thoughts and ideas to one another, men and women would conjure stories in order to try and make sense of the world around them. We dream in stories, (mine usually revolve around forgetting where I parked my car and wondering how I might get home again, although I can probably put that down to digestion). Novelists build stories to explore human behaviour and character. Politicians use and sometimes invent stories to promote their particular view of the world and their perspective on how society should operate. Even scientists use stories when they conjecture about what they see. They construct, by means if induction, a story that explains what they observe. They then see where the story takes them, by means of deduction, in the hope of stumbling upon the odd prediction that can be tested. Stories are a vital part of us but, sadly, they don’t always end in harmony or restoration. Harmony is a nice fluffy make-belief sort of word bathed in happiness and peacefulness. In real-life, stories are far more likely to end in temporary equilibrium and it is the concept of equilibrium that we need to use if we are to generate ideas that make the human world a better place. George describes how people are fundamentally altruistic and decent and that evolution has made them that way. But his assertion contains a fatal flaw. Evolution doesn’t care about whether people are altruistic. It’s certainly true that, in general terms, natural selection might favour certain traits within human beings that encourage cooperation and empathy. But evolution is really about the survival of genetic information and the biological world is really a battlefield. You won’t find much ‘harmony’ in nature. What you will find is ‘equilibrium’ and that’s a very different thing. Human life, the planet on which we live and the universe, through which we travel, are all battle fields. Any equilibrium that emerges will be the result of huge conflicting forces balancing each other out. It’s the same in human relationships and in the forming of groups, organisations, societies and the nation states that exist around the globe. George is good to listen to and he’s very entertaining. But his story is not going to change the world. I think that’ll do for now.

[@danieljones9463]

Thank you for the interesting ideas about "harmony" vs "equilibrium". Question, if you will please: Can "equilibrium" be either static, or dynamic (in movement)...or both static and dynamic at the same time? (Say, as the offered example, the Equilibrium in Nature)

[@davidclifford5124]

@@danieljones9463 Hello. Thank you for your interesting question. I would say that equilibrium, in the context of George’s presentation, will always be dynamic simply because the balance of power will inevitably shift over time. I guess that this is as true in nature as it is in politics. George’s concept of ‘harmony’, on the other hand, would seem to be static since the thrust of his argument is that, if only we all subscribed to his restorative ‘story’, everything would settle down to a condition of peace and harmony. I simply don’t buy it. I’m a great believer in George’s ‘localism’ because when people are engaged locally, they are more likely to have the inclination to be engaged nationally. But localism, whilst being necessary, is certainly not sufficient. Things must be done to improve the operation of free market capitalism but that doesn’t mean throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Things must also be done about reducing the power of the state. Power is addictive as well as corruptive. Anyway, I’m drifting off your question.

[@danieljones9463]

@@davidclifford5124 Thank you David Clifford, for your courteous and thoughtful reply. In it you shared: "George’s concept of ‘harmony’, on the other hand, would seem to be static since the thrust of his argument is that, if only we all subscribed to his restorative ‘story’, everything would settle down to a condition of peace and harmony." I don't think "all" of Us subscribing to his restorative "story" is what George Monbiot dares to Hope for. I think he would be content with just enough of Us (a Majority) to get this "new story and direction" started. If this did take place, I think a settling into "Peace and Harmony" might eventually result, but for only short periods of time. Then the differences would, in some ways, re-emerge and the work would have to commence again. It occurs to me that the More We do this work, the Better We will become at doing it. Eventually, in the "long run", I think We would realize that the differences are less severe...as Our increased skills in Applied Morality gradually takes effect. Just sharing some of my thoughts with you. Thanks again for the considerate response. Would you mind me responding further to your reply? There are a couple of other things you brought up that deserves discussion.

[@davidclifford5124]

@@danieljones9463 Hello again. Yes, of course I would welcome further comment. As I said initially, I believe George to be a decent person. There’s no question that he genuinely wishes to tease out a way of gradually changing our society for the better. I just happen to believe that his suggestion is not a ‘silver bullet’ for fundamental reasons. I certainly didn’t get the impression that he regarded ‘harmony’ as a dynamic concept although I may have misunderstood him. Whilst I share his view that localism is a key element of a viable strategy, I don’t consider it any where near sufficient and I’m pretty sure, from his initial comments at the beginning of his presentation, that we wouldn’t agree on the fundamental nature of the problem.

[@danieljones9463]

@@davidclifford5124 Good Saturday Morning, David Clifford. It is good to see from you again. My further response to your first reply starts with agreeing with you and George about the importance of local structure in "restorative politics". Since I am of the "Worker Class", I've pretty much always been a "ground roots" type of guy. But I take a second look and frown a bit, when I see the word "restorative". It makes me think that the same old ways are going to be warmed up and tried again. I feel that We need less restoration (though some early constitutional restorative work is needed) in Our Government System and More innovative and forward push. But, of course, We should be careful about this new directionalism. Basically, I believe there is less that should be "restored" than new things that should be tried...starting at the local level. (Our Own Neighborhoods?) The devil and the Evolutionary Goodness For Many, is in the details. In your first response, you also mentioned: "Things must be done to improve the operation of free market capitalism but that doesn’t mean throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Things must also be done about reducing the power of the state. Power is addictive as well as corruptive." I agree with both of these Ideas. But I urge some new system, of some control of Capitalist Behavior, through "Standards Of Limitations Of Decency". One of these limitations should be a wealth acquisition ceiling for Individuals and Corporations. (I am anti-billionaire) The "Standards", which are ultimately given the power of Law by We The People, should also be considered, discussed and designed by Us. The excesses of government power, with the resultant corruption, should also be controlled by We The People, through well considered and applied "Standards". But there is a Third Area that is vital to "Good Governance". The People Ourselves. This huge Third Area is, to a large extent, a wasted potential, as it lives in overly Individualistic irresponsibility and takes insufficient part in Better Governance of Our Nation. We The People need to participate in the affairs of Our Nation a whole lot more than We are. We should have "Standards Of Decency" guiding Us too. It is out of Us, that the other two social elements, you have mentioned, rises. I conclude this comment with: Let Us make "Inferior Capitalism" into "Superior Capitalism" and The Best Government Is Not Of The Opportunistic and Capable Few, but Of The Enlightened and Rising Many. Thank you David. For giving me the opportunity to lightly hint at these ideas.

[@spitfirered]

Bravo, Excellent!!!

[@jamesfisher5710]

Capitalism is not people at odds with each other. It is people fulfilling each other’s needs! The very first thing a business owner must do to start a business, is figure out what others want and need. Then to be successful, he must fulfill that need better than others or fail. The system described by you is communism, or command economics. There are only two kinds of economic systems. Free market or command. That is by choice, or by force. There are no other kinds of economic systems. Cooperation, falls under freedom and free markets. Even though you don’t realize it, the system you describe requires force and is command economics. How do I know this? Because I’ll ask you one simple question. What if I don’t follow your rules and decide I just want my own business for myself? Your answer must be- - you will point a gun at me and force me to follow your rules. Otherwise why would I not do exactly what I want and start my own business for myself? You will never describe your model in detail because you can never answer the question I posed without saying you will be willing to have “the state” point a gun at me. Sure you won’t call it “the state” You’ll call it community organizers. But without a state to force those who desire to work for themselves and be free to act only on their own behalf’s to comply, your system cannot work. So you are describing a command economic system and never resolve the issues every communist before you hasn’t. Your just describing the same thing with wishy washy adjectives

[@jamesfisher5710]

I would say the age old problem is guys like this who think you can centrally plan a society into something better than free people. Freedom is the best society there is. People who can act absent force of the state. This guy thinks there is some way to plan a better society, the only way that’s possible (have a society better than free people who act as they want to) is with guns a force . . . Ie . . The state !

[@gzpo]

The word story means picture; and every picture tells a story. And, every story draws a picture.

[@shiitakestick]

Gzpo don’t it !!??

[@robertpoen5383]

The new economic story needs to prioritize restoring ecosystems, instead of destroying them.

[@bruceburns332]

Fantastic Ted Talk. Thank you for the gift!

[@HighDefinitionVideo]

Bruce Burns huh? This guy is a commie pig.

[@youraccount7003]

This guy has insights into the corruption on another level. More people should be listening to him.

[@tuckerbugeater]

Because he's part of the corruption. LOL. Now eat your pink lab grown slime!

[@ru54623]

Go George!

[@meadowking369]

Dear Algorithm, please deliver this story to more people. Thanks!

[@NickAnnies]

Problem - Reaction - Solution

[@tanyaperrin8844]

Excellent idea!

[@tty2020]

China: Hold my beer. I mean my story,

[@mbs0710]

you mean tha covid

[@elainepayne7047]

Thank you for this. This TED talk should be broadcast on the building at Westminster known as the Houses of Parliament (the building is crumbling l think) Can we do it? Long live George Monbiot!

[@JediNiyte]

I LOVE how tons of conservatives who believe in laissez-faire capitalism think this video isn't referring to them because "neoliberalism" has "liberal" in it...

[@johnmathew5254]

Simply fantastic...

[@caleb8975]

Yes

[@CarlyonProduction]

George is such an energetic dude. Loved this.

[@justadam1917]

Three cheers we need a new story

[@dianebillings3343]

In my old age, I am discovering that the rock musicians of my generation, not only got all of the girls, they may well have been more sage philosophers than Kant, Hegel, Locke, Hayek, Aristotle or Plato. I do not recommend adopting life philosophies from the lyrics to rock music, but now that I have listened to more of Mr. Monbiot on KZbin, I think The Who in their 1971 album, “Who’s Next,” with the track “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” is all you need to know about about Monbiot and his narratives story. Change “narrative” to “messiah,” and label the new narrative/messiah “envirofascism,” and you can see his agenda.Daltrey and Townsend say it best:“I'll tip my hat to the new constitution...Take a bow for the new revolution Pick up my guitar and play Just like yesterday Then I'll get on my knees and pray We don't get fooled again The change, it had to come We knew it all along We were liberated from the fold, that's all And the world looks just the same And history ain't changed 'Cause the banners, they are flown in the last war And a parting on the left Is now a parting on the right And the beards have all grown longer overnight Meet the new boss Same as the old boss”No thanks Mr. Monbiot. We want no bosses.

[@eameece]

I interpret that, my favorite rock song, a bit differently. It is just the process Monbiot presents. That is the process of history. New stories become old, and are replaced by the by. You need to see the song in its larger context, in Lifehouse, which also contains the song "Let's See Action, Let's see People, Let's be free, and see who cares. Nothing is Everything" and "Relay, it's a revolution!" All these songs have the spirit of revolution in the music, especially Won't Get Fooled Again. The synthesizer episode is the sound of humanity as it reverberates through this historical process. I also discovered that this song is somehow patterned after Beethoven's Leonore Overture!

[@eameece]

Does your rejection of "envirofascism" reveal your anti-environmental agenda?

[@glowwurm9365]

Thanks George, you’re a voice of sanity in an insane world. Nice to see you being a little more light hearted, your columns can sometimes be a little negative...

[@ReasonablySane]

The problem is that the new story isn't the old story but it is an old story. The best solution for the problems we face was actually written over 200 years ago. It's called the US Constitution. When strictly enforced it allows the people to prosper. Allows people to take responsibility for their own situation and enjoy the fruits of their work. Yes, some will have more than others. But if that's the way you see it you're looking at it wrong. Once you've got clothing on your back food in your mouth and a roof over your head, everything else is relative. And there's a certain amount of satisfaction a human being gets out of knowing that he enjoys all of those things because of his own work.

[@fabioacri8286]

Why isn't this more mainstream?

[@aircopulate2104]

#yanggang2020

[@clabianco1]

Brilliant. Extremely important.

[@timtambornino5297]

thanks , I really needed to hear the new story ,sounds like the green new deal !

[@leighs9581]

#HumanityFirst story is the new restoration story. #Yang2020

[@michphoto]

I'll admit this TED talk didn't really wow me that much but the speaker is right when he says there are fundamental elements to stories that resonate with people on a deeply human level. They are tools that good and bad leaders can use. You have to dig into the deeper message of the details in those leaders stories. His final story didn't really vibe with me, it sounded okay, but not specific enough. But it did remind me of Andrew Yangs story. We have reached a turning point in our society where we have the chance to protect ourselves from some terrifying problems facing us. If we act now we can heal our political divisions before we reach a dangerous tipping point, we can provide meaningful safety nets to our people and economy before the job shift wrecks millions of lives, we can put the breaks on carbon emissions before most of our cities are underwater. It's not about socialism or capitalism. It's humanity first and data driven solutions. We all can see there's a cliff ahead. And things have been getting worse for many of us already. So let's try to change direction, stop hurting each other and work together so that we all have a baseline that starts above zero. Give those who don't have much to work with a little more wiggle room and we'll be amazed at how much more we can collectively do. Yang's story is the 21st century restoration story.

[@wakjob961]

If there's a new way... I'll be the first in line... But it better work this time!

[@YooAKang]

Any opinions with the great block of knowledge can be a finest" Voice", but the opinion without a block of knowledge that is a " Propaganda" Amazing! George always with great and clear of knowledge lit up the solution. " Bridging Networks" = " Bridging community" I have visited one it, the fine aspirational community in Leeds. It is leading by Pro. Paul Chatterton, " Unlocking Sustainable Cities" And it does, he proved his idea = George's Bridging Community that succeed in there in reality. Therefore, amazing George is not just a journalist he is a true and exquisite scholar, indeed. Thank you. The book, Out of the wreckage.

[@Ludawig]

*"Political failure is at heart, a failure of imagination."*

[@ludwigvr3212]

Ludwig cool name

[@shahuni]

My name is Mises. Don't steal my name!

[@eameece]

@@shahuni But Ludwig von Mises was a neo-liberal founder. Neo-liberalism has no imagination; only deception and racketeering.

[@shahuni]

@@eameece All kind of economics is deception and racketeering because it is based on consumerism and consumerism is product of deception, false advertising and agressive advertising and propaganda. It's like a child's game where children are given tokens for good (desired) behaviour and then those tokens can be redeemed for rewards (which are produced by other children) within the system.

[@eameece]

@@shahuni I agree, but economics is a general field. Can their be an eco-nomics?

[@LeosAnimalPlanet]

Hello. I'm 6 and you are my hero. people only think about making money. This is my nature conservation channel, inspired by you. and Greta and David Attenborough

[@NWLee]

Unfortunately both sides think their answer aligns with this too vague narrative.

[@jamespier7801]

Lee No, conservatives recognize his 250-year-old caricature of the free market political economy. An economy based on private property and - imagine! - voluntary cooperation.

[@NWLee]

@@jamespier7801 You are probably right, just hard to find actual conservatives

[@eameece]

Monbiot likes to avoid mentioning the fact that the Keynesian story was mainly supported and implemented by Democrats and Labor, and the neo-liberal story was mainly supported and implemented by Republicans and Tories. But their power in each case caused their opponents to buckle under to them to a large degree.

[@muhash50]

I believe this where the New story will begin from. PEOPLE.

[@PaulLorenzini-ny2yw]

Hooray for Boris!!

[@akrecu]

The problem with most forms of socialism is not that they don't tell a good story, but that the story never ends as promised. The key phrase here is "we'll do it right this time". While it is true that every failing system (if it is indeed failing) needs to be changed., be it long term or short term, the revisionists usually lose sight of the initial need for change and cling to power just like the people they have replaced. This last bit is important and quite difficult due to human nature.

[@muhash50]

I Understand his New Story.

[@makeahalo]

Phenomenal

[@Je.rone_]

*i think I'd be a wonderful politician but an even better dictator* 💪😓

[@Je.rone_]

@Some Thing indeed

[@shiitakestick]

Black Vito - Moneyology & Philosophy - would you be a good dictator ?

[@Je.rone_]

@@shiitakestick maybe not good but wonderful, like people will be full of wonder how or why I'm dictator and how to overthrow me and put in place a democracy or somewhere there abouts

[@megazeus7972]

How can I give you all my property and labour? You sound trustworthy!

[@Je.rone_]

@@megazeus7972 paypal or cash app 😅

[@davinchypsycho3134]

speech like this can be accepted after great suffering!

[@Wanderor2003]

I think every word he said is plain truth, a shared narrative if I may so say :P Even the part that we (worldwide) are too often led by sociopaths and psychopaths (NO, though, I am not saying all politicians: I know many are not at all, but overall there is a sociopathic tendency in State decisions and it is getting worse). The lack of alternative ideology (yoops, story) is clearly lacking. Any mention of social policy is labeled socialist (red scare) and any criticism of capitalism triggers defensive reactions: we are *too binary* in our thinking. The classical story is good versus bad, but our reality is too complicated or our economies too integrated for those good old stories. Monbiot's compromise is what many have been proposing for a long time, basically focused on sincere and mature democracy. A good number of people are trying to build such cooperative and responsible economics now, but not on a State level. I strongly believe a better democracy is a solution (and also listening to our scientists much much more), but I do not know if Humans can do it... To be followed.

[@antikokalis]

He is a moron. He didn't even check the basic facts of poverty on the planet. In 1990 the extreme poverty on the planet was at about 50%. Now it's at 10%. The world has never been in a better condition. Except the environment obviously

[@VincentGill3]

I have known this for a long time, The rabbit hole of deception goes very deep into our human history. I used to get depressed when thinking of the future - then I got some good news after watching a video on KZbin. The KZbin video was called "One Small Town" (can change the world). It contains a plan for small town communities to transition out of the banking system. Best wishes to all.

[@alisonmcshannon1196]

I experience what you are saying every day...

[@14douch]

Excellent

[@thehellyousay]

Guess why there is no story? This is the end. We've written ourselves out of the script. Fade to black.

[@ronaldronald8819]

a brilliantly told story.

[@rogerkomula8057]

This is warm and fuzzy, but we're circling the drain. Human is going bye bye.

[@danieljones9463]

Being somewhat on the outer edge of the drain area, maybe I would stick to the tub...and wait for new fresh water?

[@winoosbourne344]

This is Juan Domingo Peron discovery in 1945, his doctrine "The Organized Community" explains this philosophy.

[@BlackandPoly]

I think this guy is #andrewyang 's brother from another mother. #humancenteredcapitalism #humanityfirst #yanggang2020

[@profkrumdieck]

I do not think that most people are clueless about what is wrong and what "we must do". or "what we need to do". I love Monbiot, but again, as with most TED talks, an inspiring critique of what is wrong and what we need, but no "HOW" is going to do this and "WHO" is going to do it. Let's say he's right and we need a new story. Who is going to tell it - was that just it?

[@farhanaahmad4148]

15:16 We are governed by psychopaths 👍. Me and other targeted individuals are living examples.

[@Equinox1.5]

On a party political level, I think Bernie Sanders, Justice Democrats, the US Green Party and others in the States have been developing a new story that is very positive and altruistic. Coupled with what you saying, this could be a very powerful new story. I love your vision.

[@Zurvan101]

Socialism always appears positive until the state has all of the means of production; then it becomes a monster with absolute power. Don't be fooled by politicians promising free stuff!

[@hetjamesfield4473]

Yessss

[@Jean980]

I've always believed in bridging networks (people with different beliefs together) vs. bonding communities (people with same beliefs). Much of our country lives with only folks of one belief. If we can see they're simply taking care of themselves and their families, same as we are trying to take care of ours, we might see the emotional needs of both groups are the same. We can then meet in the middle, take care of both needs, and be solution oriented. ♥️

[@viceforever]

Wow. Not even close.....you are wrong.....now sit and think on that....how really are you open to accept me?... i literally told you you are wrong...see human nature is to preserve what is closest to you...otherwise its like feeding your neighbors kids all the while letting your own children starve....its insane to think that you would allow that right? I just dont think i could live with someone outside of my own beliefs and understanding...im 44 and i dont care how hard they try to shove it down my throat i will not swallow bullshit.

[@Jean980]

@@viceforever hmm.. can't tell if you're sarcastic?

[@cliffjamesmusic]

As well as not having a new story, another block is that we try to solve problems by blindly using the tools and systems which create the problems. Orthodox economics treats money as a neutral thing. However, compound-interest debt-based money automatically creates unsustainable, exponential growth demands and the flow of money towards capital with all their environmental and social consequences. Complementary and alternative money systems are available but they are held at the margins, thereby favouring financial beneficiaries of the status quo.

[@declanwk1]

I hope that we can rise to the challenge. I have always been slightly nervous of local politics. As an ideal it is impossible to argue against, but what if you live in a small village, you read about the exciting new ideas that come from the more cosmopolitan city but they fall flat on their face in the village hall. Cities partly developed because of the greater intellectual heft that came about because of the concentration of people. As a species we may be too stupid to save ourselves.

[@brightvalley]

I object to the use of the term liberalism when describing conservative economic models.

[@keirfarnum6811]

brightvalley That’s the original meaning of the word, “liberal”; the idea that markets should be “free” (i.e., “liberal). Hence the use of the term “neoliberal” to describe free market conservatives. Essentially the modern “social liberal” is someone who supports regulated markets that keep free trade fair and with strong social supports. What some are calling “Democratic Socialism” is really “Social Democracy”; which seeks to maintain free trade that is fair and not predatory.

[@davihar]

"neo" does not mean new but faux or false. So neoliberalism is NOT liberal but the opposite. "Classical Neoliberalism" is actually monetarism and came to be called Thatherism or Reagonomics after the political leaders who brought it into the world. But really it's just - the market will fix itself if government doesn't interfere

[@brightvalley]

Oh for heaven sake, really?

[@mitkoogrozev]

Cool story, bro.

[@theotherandrew5540]

Say it again George!

[@LacksleyTM]

lol. funny but very true. It's the same template evrywhere...in many fields. Powerful!

[@serecip770]

"You can't take away someone's story without giving them a good one" top!

[@stef1234]

I think he did a great job explaining the problematic situation we're in, but I'm not entirely convinced of his solution, I guess it's a bit too vague to me..

[@almilton6828]

Some evidence suggests that laissez-faire economics did not trigger the great depression but a little known law was enacted just before the deprrssion and was repealed just before the end of the deprssion. That law it's suggested caused the depression.

[@shadowprince4482]

Wait are you telling me that 99.9% of us, most likely including me, don't have everything figured out? GTFO of here! Until now I thought that 49-51% of us have everything figured out and it's so obvious and that the other half is utterly insane. /heavy-sarcasm

[@JA-ui3gg]

Sadly most that are most afflicted or trapped by this so called old story won’t understand it and for those that do are so trapped by the story that they don’t have the means or know how of how to break free. Make your own story. Share what you can and be free from the system.

[@Skylark_Jones]

The Restoration Stories he tells of Keynesianism & neoliberalism: in other words, a merry-go-round that won't stop turning, the never-ending cycle of bollocks which works only for the few and not the many. Brilliant speech!!! 😂😂😂😂

[@tuckerbugeater]

Neoliberalism created these loonies.

[@ndomestre]

aka the Bernie Sanders story. Bernie 2020! ❤️ #notmeUS

[@sebastiaandewit159]

Bernie is a fraud.

[@ndomestre]

Do yourselves a favor, get an overview of his policies and watch Joe Rogan's interview with Bernie before you judge: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aICQmn-hZqySpMk

[@melloh.4152]

Human altruism is hardly unique or extraordinary. I have witnessed a 10 week old tame kitten regurgitating food for her feral and very frightened and hungry littermate. We are however very good at telling stories! If only the harmonious communities spoken about here could be woven into reality through stories, much like our indigenous brothers and sisters always have.

[@seniornacholibre1166]

This man just said the problem is that the story always starts with chaos etc. Then he proposes that this is because we are told it's impossible for people to just coexist and "everyone play nice" and that's why the story repeats itself. So he just wasted all our time, as he defeated his own argument. His Utopian dream world will never exist as long as there are corrupt people who rise to the top. At least in a liberal world we have freedom to fight and against the odds end up becoming successful, if you are waiting for everyone to work together and for all evil people to stop chasing power, you are gonna be waiting a long time.

[@endaohalloran6649]

Watch it again dude, he didn't say the problem is that these stories start with chaos. The problem today is that there is no new story been told to replace that of neoliberalism

[@seniornacholibre1166]

@@endaohalloran6649 yeah but there would be no problem with it being the same story if there wasn't anything wrong with the story. So He basically saying the problem is that we repeat this problematic story and I'm saying Sorry bud, but that is because the story is just reality and unfortunately for him that's where we live. We don't live in this unicorn land where everyone decides not to forsake their fellow man for profit. Why else would we be stuck repeating this story? Unfortunately it's just the way things are, but who wouldn't want it to be different. That's why liberty's are so important, there are always going to be evil people, but at least in America we have rights and NOBODY can take those away

[@jrisner6535]

@@seniornacholibre1166 he's saying that the way you change society is by creating a convincing story

[@LilKing420s]

Abso-fucking-lutly!! Well said George!!! add some of #JacqueFresco 's and #RoxanneMeadows' ideas from #Thevenusproject, and certainly others which escape my mind at the moment and we might be onto something! The will be no single perfect solution, but this is a damn good start... the best I've heard to date. Sharing this EVERYWHERE!!! Thank you @GeorgeMonbiot! THIS is a talk people truly NEED to hear!