Billy,
I don't think that the word "humble" is critical, but I think humility is an
important RC trait. We need to lack hubris, be willing to listen, be open
to opposing ideas with respect, etc. if we want to remain in the radical
center. If we are the opposite of humble, say arrogant, then we will be
closing our minds to new radical ideas that may enrich the centrist
movement.
Chris
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Christopher P. Hahn, Ph.D.
Constructive Agreement, LLC
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]
P.O. Box 39, Bozeman, MT 59771
(406) 522-4143 (406) 556-7116 fax
------------------------------------------
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 2:45 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: The Positive Centrist Manifesto Re: [RC] Tenet v2
Ernie :
Even if you never signed your e-mails your signature would be obvious
in at least one out of every 3 or 4 your letters.
Favorite words are the giveaway, especially "humble." You have
a thing for humble. I still would prefer a word that says humble
but isn't the word humble as such, but it wouldn't be you if
humble wasn't in the mix.
Trouble is that "humble" isn't a political virtue. At least this is my take.
But it sure is an objective virtue. So, how do we promote the spirit
of not being too positive when we really don't know what is necessary
to make sound judgements, how can we be assertive without pushing things
too far ( one of my problems ) ? And so forth .
For myself my preferred terminology might be, instead of humble,
"Zen like." This would give us--
How Zen-like Progressives and Innovative Conservatives
Can Together Incrementally Improve Society
Well, that isn't quite right, either, although it would be possible
to use "Zen Progressivism" in some circumstances.
just a thought...
Billy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1/10/2012 12:53:42 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, [email protected]
writes:
Oh, and one useful term might be "humble progressivism". This directly
answers the primary negative reaction (dang, wish Kevin was here) to the
"progressive" term.
The counterpart might well be 'innovative conservatives", those whose are
willing to adapt new mechanisms to serve age-old ideals.
Hmm...
The Positive Centrist Manifesto
How Humble Progressives and Innovative Conservatives
Can Together Incrementally Improve Society
Not quite there, but it has the seeds of something interesting...
E
On Jan 10, 2012, at 12:39 PM, Dr. Ernie Prabhakar wrote:
Integrated the changes. Oddly enough, it turned the tenet into the opening
of a manifesto:
-----------------------------------------------------
Very good stuff. I'll want to post this on <http://rc.org/> RC.org once it
finalizes.
A few more words to think about incorporating:
- courage
- hope
- passion
- learning
I think you've got the right facts, but they don't "sing" yet. We need a
centrism that stirs the hearts, not just the minds (as I keep telling Ash
the Moderate).
As a side note, I've been thinking a lot about producing A Centrist
Manifesto incorporating the various viewpoints expressed on Centroids.
Perhaps this could be the Preamble...
Keep up the great work!
-- Ernie P.
On Jan 10, 2012, at 12:34 PM, Mike Gonzalez wrote:
Integrated the changes. Oddly enough, it turned the tenet into the opening
of a manifesto:
-----------------------------------------------------
When pessimism infects centrism, it becomes angry populism. It is true that
anger can help one recognize what is important, but it is essential that
anger is disciplined and channeled correctly. At its core, anger is an
energizer, but is no substitute-for or equal-of true productivity.
When apathy blends with centrism, it creates the traditional view of the
lazy, valueless independent. A great nation requires the fostering of a
deliberative, educated citizenry. A great political movement would do its
part by bringing issues directly to citizens for informed discussion, which
would result in a better scrutinized body of elected representatives, itself
leading to better lawmaking.
Rather than anger or apathy, what is needed is a tempered positivity in
scientific centrism. This scientific "radical" centrism channels the best
aspects of an ideology that believes in the application of workable
solutions to create a positive impact on civil society. Consequently, a
rejection of pessimism and apathy in favor of sober belief in a society's
ability to improve itself is an essential aspect of centrism. The result of
this is a progressive evolution that supports testable change to improve the
lot of the entire populace.
The result is a rejection of the moralistic utopianism that characterizes
modern progressivism, a movement that exists as its own unaccountable
religion of moral imperatives. This additionally serves as a rejection of
the conservatism that questions whether we even have the intellectual
ability to improve the human condition. Recognition that we live
significantly longer, communicate much more quickly, and feed and clothe
many more citizens than we did in the 18th century is testament to the fact
that the human condition improves. In contrast to the reigning alternatives,
in our centrism, the improvement of civil society can be maximized through
rational, measured integration of scientific, technological, and social
advancements.
--
Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]>
Google Group: <http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism>
http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism
Radical Centrism website and blog: <http://radicalcentrism.org/>
http://RadicalCentrism.org
--
Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community
<[email protected]>
Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism
Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org
--
Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community
<[email protected]>
Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism
Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org
