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Ariel Willingham's avatar

I thought this assessment was helpful and informative. I’ve been evaluating social theory and system design as an independent scholar— I’ve developed a similar tool after discussing power dynamics with another social theorist. “Power Loop Field Diagnostic”.

My work doesn’t fall neatly into any one category, as I touch ethics, psych, system theory, cultural repair, and ecology but I believe we see a lot of the same systemic and relational issues that are arising from authoritarianism. “Power Over”, as Pieter de Beer calls it, can be offset by other system design influences. Would love to open dialogue around these ideas. It seems we are approaching similar concepts, and I feel compelled to reach out to the minds identifying issues and problem solving simultaneously. Thank you again for this article

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Laurie Davidson's avatar

I wonder if something is missing here. I get that this is mostly about feelings and thoughts, and in some instances actual harm to self (losing income, blocked or punished by systems) but not about being present when others are harmed. Increasing numbers of people are witnessing harm to others, not just in the media but on their own streets, in their communities, in some cases to people they know. That can be mobilizing but also overwhelming. What do you think?

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