Who Speaks for Humanity? The Imaginary Room and Our Representation Problem

What would it look like if the world’s citizens were truly represented in decisions about our planet?In this episode, I take inspiration from an essay by historian David Van Reybrouck in Aeon We need a planetary system of diplomacy for the 21st century, which tells the story of the first Global Assembly in 2021 — a gathering of 100 people selected by lot to mirror the diversity of humanity.Their voices remind us that our usual image of “the people” is often distorted — shaped by our feeds, our media, and the narrow stages of power. But when humanity is represented more fully, something very different emerges.Relevant previous episodes:• Seeds, Sand, and a Desert Disco: A Story from Socotra — The island where Mohamed Salem, one of the Assembly’s participants, tends his goats under increasing drought.• Is War Inevitable? — On civic movements, democracy, and the possibility of civil resistance.• From Fear to Wrath: The Ghosts of Inequality — On inequality, politics, and whose voices get represented.Mentioned: Book, Congo by David Van Reybrouck