Forums for a Future: Audio

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode, Podcast # 29, is the tenth in the open-ended series of positive approaches for addressing the many specific contemporary economic, social and political issues that challenge our capacity for having a future in the 21st Century. The key concept in today’s podcast is that from the perspective of legal contract doctrine, voluntary retention contracts should be offered to our military personnel, and the self-serving Wall Street financial agreements should be voided.

This week I discuss the concept that there is an equilibrium point in the income gap between the rich and poor, as socio-economic classes, which is in each of their own economic best interest, illustrating the Power of Balance.

This week I discuss the concept that above all else, knowledge is the engine for human progress, not personal financial fortunes.

This week I discuss the concept that we have a personal and private responsibility for the future that is the foundation for our sense of self and for a coherent sense of self-direction. Inflection points in history are times of significant change in which people must adapt how they think to be appropriate for a new era.

This week I discuss the concept that we have an interpersonal and public responsibility for the future that is the foundation for civic life and for the preservation of the democratic process. Existing family and social groups are the basis for holding political forums.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I am now ready to continue the series. The continuation will apply the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I have created a three-part “Review and Transition” to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode is a summary of audio Podcasts # 1 to 10; it provides a review of the Conceptual Foundations of the series.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I am now ready to continue the series. The continuation will apply the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I have created a three-part “Review and Transition” to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode is a summary of audio Podcasts # 11 to 14. The key concept in today's poscast is reconceptualizing wealth, power and beliefs as alternative sides of a single concept which allows us to create a coherent economic-political-social system appropriate for the 21st century.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I am now ready to continue the series. The continuation will apply the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I have created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode, Podcast # 22, is the third in the open-ended series of positive approaches for addressing the many specific contemporary economic, social and political issues that challenge our capacity for having a future in the 21st Century. In today's podcast, the key concept is that the Iraq War provides a focal point for understanding the political implications of globalization.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I am now ready to continue the series. The continuation will apply the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I have created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode, Podcast # 23, is the fourth in the open-ended series of positive approaches for addressing the many specific contemporary economic, social and political issues that challenge our capacity for having a future in the 21st Century. In today's podcast, number 23 in the series, the key concept is that if we are successful in flattening the world, nature cannot sustain us, or us nature. The two – us and nature – are one and the same.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode, Podcast # 25, is the sixth in the open-ended series of positive approaches for addressing the many specific contemporary economic, social and political issues that challenge our capacity for having a future in the 21st Century. In today's podcast, the key concept is for the United Nations issue voluntary certificates of “World Citizenship” to allow individuals around the world to become dual citizens: Citizens of their country and Citizens of the World.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode, Podcast # 27, is the eighth in the open-ended series of positive approaches for addressing the many specific contemporary economic, social and political issues that challenge our capacity for having a future in the 21st Century. Today’s podcast provides a brief overview and summary of the conceptual framework for the civic discussions we need to have, to have a future.

This week I explain what the podcast is about, who I am, why it was created, and how it is structured.

This week I describe the four conceptual pillars -- the Economic, Political, Social and Personal -- that provide the foundation for the series.

This week I introduce the idea of an inflection point as the central concept for developing a Philosophy for the 21st Century.

This week I introduce the idea that the year 2000 marks the end of the MOdern Era, and what this means.

This week I introduce the concept of "Personal Constructs." Personal constructs are the mental tools for thriving in a time of change.

This week I introduce the concept that we are now living in the Post-Modern Era. This is an "inflection point" in history in which new institutions and new concepts (constructs) are required to create a sustainable future.

This week I introduce Part III, a series of three podcasts on the relationships between Power, Wealth and Beliefs as lessons from history for informing the present with prescriptive implications for the future.

This week I introduce the concept that Beliefs are derivatives of POwer and Wealth.

This week I introduce the concept that Wealth is the derivative of Beliefs and POwer.

This week I introduce the concept that Power is the derivative of Wealth and Beliefs.

This week I introduce Part IV, a series of three podcasts on on the three principles required to re-conceptualize the interplay between power, wealth and beliefs that is appropriate for Post-MOdern era we are entering.

This week I discuss the concept that world citizenship, not citizenships of the world, describes the appropriate interplay of power, wealth and beliefs as a political perspective for the Post-MOdern Era.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series. Podcast #34 marks the beginning of a new series (Part VIII) on "Living in the Future Tense." Today’s podcast (#38) concerns our inability to speak the truth about our $14 trillion national debt. The national debt as a percentage of GDP has historically risen during times of war and depression while being offset by increases in the highest marginal tax rate. Since 1981 the relative debt has increased due to internal policy decisions, rather than external events as before, while the highest marginal tax rate has been reduced.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series. Podcast #34 marks the beginning of a new series (Part VIII) on "Living in the Future Tense." Today’s podcast is part of a three part series on the world summit negotiations to combat climate change. Part 1 in this series, Podcast 35, explains why the proposals of both the US and China at Copenhagen and Cancun were self-serving and why neither could expect the other to agree with them. Part 2 in the series, Podcast 36 provides a rationale for an alternative world standard that is equally fair to both countries. And, Part 3 in the series, Podcast 37, explains why neither the US nor China have been able politically to reach an agreement, and it will provide a means for achieving mutual cooperation.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series. Podcast #34 marks the beginning of a new series (Part VIII) on "Living in the Future Tense." Today’s podcast is part of a three part series on the world summit negotiations to combat climate change. Part 1 in this series, Podcast 35, explains why the proposals of both the US and China at Copenhagen and Cancun were self-serving and why neither could expect the other to agree with them. Part 2 in the series, Podcast 36 provides a rationale for an alternative world standard that is equally fair to both countries. And, Part 3 in the series, Podcast 37, explains why neither the US nor China have been able politically to reach an agreement, and it will provide a means for achieving mutual cooperation.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series. Podcast #34 marks the beginning of a new series (Part VIII) on "Living in the Future Tense." Today’s podcast is part of a three part series on the world summit negotiations to combat climate change. Part 1 in this series, Podcast 35, explains why the proposals of both the US and China at Copenhagen and Cancun were self-serving and why neither could expect the other to agree with them. Part 2 in the series, Podcast 36 provides a rationale for an alternative world standard that is equally fair to both countries. And, Part 3 in the series, Podcast 37, explains why neither the US nor China have been able politically to reach an agreement, and it will provide a means for achieving mutual cooperation.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series. Podcast #34 marks the beginning of a new series (Part VIII) on "Living in the Future Tense." Today’s episode, Podcast # 34, is the first in the series on: Living in the Future Tense. This series will look at specific examples of exponential changes that are taking life in the Post-Modern Era to the limit. These will be the defining moments for taking America forward (not back). The key concept in today’s podcast is to understand that today is tomorrow: the choices we make to day will be our own future.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode, Podcast # 33, is the fourteenth in the open-ended series of positive approaches for addressing the many specific contemporary economic, social and political issues that challenge our capacity for having a future in the 21st Century. The key concept in today’s podcast is that the dominate cultural beliefs of the Modern Era have led to economic and political policies that have produced climate change, threatening the capacity of the planet to sustain human life. Immediate fundamental changes in the civic control of the institutions of wealth and power are essential. But, there is a trans-generational communications gap between the new Millennials and the Boomers who form a demographic wall between the Millennials and their future. A joint effort is required between the current Establishment and the youth of today who share a single future. This is the Millennial Challenge.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode, Podcast # 32, is the thirteenth in the open-ended series of positive approaches for addressing the many specific contemporary economic, social and political issues that challenge our capacity for having a future in the 21st Century. The key concept in today’s podcast is that the population of the world is approaching the carrying capacity of the planet. Unless we reverse the total impact of economic growth and human behavior to stop destroying the capacity of the planet to sustain life, the result will be the end of human progress in our immediate future. To do so would only require 20% of people to educe their impact by 2% over the next decade, and in each of the next three decades, for an additional 20% to double the effort. The end result would be 80% of the population reducing their overall impact by 16% by the year 2050. We have the knowledge and technology to accomplish this modest goal. The issue is whether we have the political will to do so; it is our choice for our lifetime.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode, Podcast # 31, is the 12th in the open-ended series of positive approaches for addressing the many specific contemporary economic, social and political issues that challenge our capacity for having a future in the 21st Century. The key concept in today’s podcast is that for a surgeon to continue to perform a more expensive and intrusive procedure when a less expensive and intrusive procedure exists, without informing his patients of the alternative, is an approved medical practice according to the review process of the Florida Department of Health.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode, Podcast # 30, is the eleventh in the open-ended series of positive approaches for addressing the many specific contemporary economic, social and political issues that challenge our capacity for having a future in the 21st Century. The key concept in today’s podcast is that the financial crisis of 2008 -- 2009 has made clear that the economic pirates of the Modern Era have stolen the American dream by subverting, if not destroying, the very promises that shaped the nation. Clearly, it is time to look ahead and to ask what beliefs and values are required to see the future as inviting and hopeful. I suggest there are three old 20th Century concepts that we need to “let go of.” They need to be replaced by 21st Century beliefs that provide an exciting and hopeful future -- it is time to create the American Dream.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode, Podcast # 28, is the ninth in the open-ended series of positive approaches for addressing the many specific contemporary economic, social and political issues that challenge our capacity for having a future in the 21st Century. The key concept in today’s podcast is that we know we have some worn out beliefs. That recognition is what accepting change is all about. There is a need for reconsidering our core economic, social and political beliefs. Many are discouraged because the issues all need to be solved quickly. Yet, the task seems too complicated to be solved at all, let alone quickly. But, conceptually, these challenges are really not that complicated, and we know what the technical solutions are.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode, Podcast # 26, is the seventh in the open-ended series of positive approaches for addressing the many specific contemporary economic, social and political issues that challenge our capacity for having a future in the 21st Century. In today's podcast, the key concept is that media has not born witness to what we have done to either to Iraq or to ourselves. A war with no visible pain is a war that should never have been fought. Never again should we let the government or the media keep us in a bubble of isolation to protection us from our personal endorsement of the choice for war.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I have resumed the series. The continuation applies the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode, Podcast # 24, is the fifth in the open-ended series of positive approaches for addressing the many specific contemporary economic, social and political issues that challenge our capacity for having a future in the 21st Century. In today's podcast, the key concept is what is wrong with the current bailout to the financial crisis of 2008-2009, and what needs to be done instead.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I am now ready to continue the series. The continuation will apply the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I have created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode, Podcast # 21, is the second in the open-ended series of positive approaches for addressing the many specific contemporary economic, social and political issues that challenge our capacity for having a future in the 21st Century. In today's podcast, I suggest globalization is our inescapable new reality. Thus, the issue is how to make globalization work by relinquishing old inappropriate beliefs from the Modern Era and replacing them with new ones that can embrace and contain our new realities.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I am now ready to continue the series. The continuation will apply the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I have created a three-part “Review and Transition” (Podcasts 17-19) to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode, Podcast # 20, is the first in the open-ended series of positive approaches for addressing the many specific contemporary economic, social and political issues that challenge our capacity for having a future in the 21st Century. In today's podcast, I ask five rhetorical questions. If you answer the questions the way most people do, you should be in favor of the United States adopting a universal health care system.

After taking one year off to teach “Forums for a Future” as a university honors course, I am now ready to continue the series. The continuation will apply the concepts developed in the first 16 episodes to an open-end list of contemporary social issues. As a way to get started, I have created a three-part “Review and Transition” to provide a brief summary and introduction for those new to the series, and a quick review for the original subscribers. Today’s episode is a summary of audio Podcasts # 15 and 16. The key concept is that humanity now has the knowledge to make the choices required for creating a sustainable life on this planet. What is in question is the human capacity for doing so.