1) BOTH-SIDES-NOW, Equal-Time-Recorded-Dialogues
DIPLOMACY IS IN THE DIALECTIC (two-sided) DETAILS as found between the perspectives of any two participants. This approach for research collaboration and dispute resolution is 'debate' (French 'de' = 'undo' + 'bate' = 'the fight') centered. We consider it a dialectic right for any community resident or participant in any economy who is affected by any decision to be able to express their viewpoint dialectically (side-by-side with those who are affecting them). So as not to impede the livelihood focus and realities of other parties, dialectics or debate processes are practiced through formal procedures and in intervals. The recording of an equal time dialogue may be confidential between parties or be made public as they both will agree or as personal rights or public circumstances may require.
Special appreciation for artist Bill Watterson the creator of the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes for the above cartoon also included as part of three attached cartoons which illustrate dialectic principles in everyday life. Watterson illuminates concepts of 2 and 3 dimensional sensory and emotional dimensions in this Neo-cubist cartoon, an engaging cartoon on Perspective and another on Thinking Twice before we speak. Each of these brings understanding of sensory or neurological processes which are otherwise difficult to describe.
BOTH-SIDES-NOW, EQUAL-TIME-RECORDED-DIALOGUES
Perspective is valuable for understanding how our minds work. Differences between 2-dimensional and 3-D vision are found in similarities and differences between the images recorded by light sensors on the retina in each of our two eyes as well as diminishing size with distance. Each eye sees a slightly different image due to the slightly different ‘camera’ (C/C pupil to pupil 7 cm or 2 ¾ inches apart) locations. Each eye sees a slightly different 2-D side of an object and therefore can mentally triangulate or construct 3-D depth from the differences of visual information and from other senses.
In the same way that; eyes construct 3-D understanding from 2-D sensory data, so do human minds construct 3-D and more dimensions from individual experiences, understandings and through sharing perspectives as social creatures with our families and society. BSN-ETRDs as formal procedures provide an opportunity for individuals and organisations to engage each other for understanding more dimensions of our livelihood interaction and to construct harmonious effort with the world.
Formally each stakeholder group or ‘caucus’ (Iroquois = ‘grouping of like-interests’) gathers diverse perspectives and then engage other stakeholder groups. Within groups, similarities and differences between elders, youth, women, men, founders, workers, suppliers and consumers can be compared and complemented for policy and practice. Individuals engage through their affinity groups.
In the course of working and living together, we expect that there will be occasions where the differences of our individual perspectives require a forum in which they can explore differences and similarities. Continuing Research & Development as well as Conflict Resolution requires we have a forum among us to elaborate creative opportunities appropriate to our personnel and resources. The following two cartoons by Walt Kelly:
1. Albert Alligator is actually misquoting Francois-Marie Arouet de Voltaire, 1694 - 1778, French Philosopher, "I may disagree with what you have to say but, I shall defend to the death, your right to say it."
2. Walt Kelly's Pogo, "We have met the enemy and he is us." Both left and right have complementary roles to play in making this world a liveable place.
“
Traces of nobility, gentleness and courage persist in all people, do what we will to stamp out the trend. So, too, do those characteristics which are ugly. It is just unfortunate that in the clumsy hands of a cartoonist all traits become ridiculous, leading to a certain amount of self-conscious expostulation and the desire to join battle. There is no need to sally forth, for it remains true that those things which make us human are, curiously enough, always close at hand. Resolve then, that on this very ground, with small flags waving and tinny blasts on tiny trumpets, we shall meet the enemy, and not only may he be ours, he may be us. Forward!
”
—Walt Kelly, June 1953
3. Douglas Jack, Both Sides Now cartoon with the fellow on the left saying "Squares are greater than triangles". The fellow on the right accommodates the person on the left at the same time helping him to understand in the complementation of the two shapes that; "Triangles on top of squares create homes that we can live in." The most effective 'debater' is one who finds complementary and collaborative ways to integrate the concerns of the other or all the parties concerned.
Both Sides Now is attached below in Full and Short versions providing detail and overview for the dialogue process involved for individuals in the Corporation and each Association and Caucus to challenge other members as well as others in community at large to formal recorded equal-time dialogue. Indigenous peoples from around the world implemented and upheld Dialectic rights for community members. The word 'debate' from the French means 'de' = 'to undo' + 'bate' = 'the fight'. Rather than depending only upon Indigene or association Board of Directors BSN, members as well can discuss and issue challenges, creations or innovations on every level.
Both Sides Now Rights and Peace looks at applications to organisation, business, government and institutional relations as a systematic alternative to conflict, enmity and war.
At left is a cartoon discussion on relative values. Both parties sit upon a see-saw with a sand-clock teeter (base). The person on left begins by stating that squares are greater than triangles. The person on left offers that a triangle plus a square build a house together. Debate is best understood as a means to build solutions together. Please see the section D. PARTICIPATORY STRUCTURE subsection 3) ECONOMIC MEMORY for more perspectives on the neurology of single stakeholder control and competition in our society. 'Competition' from the Latin means 'com' = 'together' + 'petere' = 'to seek'. Exogenous society has changed the context of competition from positive complementary collaboration to rival exclusion.
FEELING
Often individuals operate from a 'feeling' level without deconstructing these feelings into the contributing factors from which they are formed. Given the complexity of feeling as multi-sensory inputs (including multi-dimensional thought, readings, sight, sound, smell, taste, kinetic, etc) over lifetimes, there is no exact 'plumbing' which one can prescribe (each of us are unique), but in deconstruction & meditation, we can discover the patterns of formative events, perceptions & relationships from which our worldviews arise.
O.E. felan "to touch, perceive," from P.Gmc. *foljan (cf. O.S. gifolian, O.Fris. fela, Du. voelen, O.H.G. vuolen, Ger. fühlen "to feel," O.N. falma "to grope"), from PIE root *pal- "to touch, feel, shake, strike softly" (cf. Gk. psallein "to pluck (the harp)," L.palpare "to touch softly, stroke," palpitare "to move quickly"). The sense in O.E. was "to perceive through senses which are not referred to any special organ." Sense of "be conscious of a sensation or emotion" developed by late 13c.; that of "to have sympathy or compassion" is from c.1600. To feel like "want to" attested from 1829.
Socrates 470-399 BCE formed 'academia' (a garden in Athens) based on the rights and duties of students and all citizens to be able to debate teachers or other fellows equally in the exchange of perspectives, ideas & concepts. At the time autocratic Sophist education did not provide students opportunity to speak their minds. Unfortunately the 'academia' which he founded no longer respects the rights of its participants to dialogue formally and openly on matters of institutional or cultural process among themselves or the nature of the truths they are engaging. The following are a number of quotes from Socrates:
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” “It is not living that matters, but living rightly.” The unexamined life is not worth living.”
“The end of life is to be like God, and the soul following God will be like Him.”
“How much there is in the world I do not want” “I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.”
"The fewer our wants the more we resemble the Gods." "Once made equal to man, woman becomes his superior."
"Let him that would move the world, first move himself." "I am not an Athenian, nor a Greek, but a citizen of the world."
Imagine if dialect rights through debate or Both-Sides-Now, Equal Time Recorded Dialogues (attachments below) were practiced as a right in every home, multi-home, business, commerce, industry, government, institutions, organisations, schools, military and between people in all associations. Groups of stakeholders would talk through and unite their positions to be able to challenge other stakeholders formally through BSN. Debate needs caucussing or grouping of like interests so that the times of all parties is respected. If these dialogues were then published in appropriate media. There would be no need for aggression and no war. Individuals could talk through their feelings and experiences at the significant places and circumstances in their lives. People would reorganise society in the best way that they know how, both from words and from action. Indigenous practices from the Production Societies using Time-based accounting and Progressive Ownership recognition, complement debate in providing people with processes by which they can 'Walk the talk' as well as 'Talk the walk'. It is important to implement debate as a right across whole societies in every facet of relationship.
Cartoonist Bill Waterson
BOTH-SIDES-NOW, EQUAL-TIME-RECORDED-DIALOGUES
Perspective is valuable for understanding how our minds work. Differences between 2-dimensional
and 3-D vision are found in similarities and differences between the images recorded by light sensors
on the retina in each of our two eyes as well as diminishing size with distance. Each eye sees a
slightly different image due to the slightly different ‘camera’ (C/C pupil to pupil 7 cm or 2 ¾ inches
apart) locations. Each eye sees a slightly different 2-D side of an object and therefore can mentally
triangulate or construct 3-D depth from the differences of visual information and from other senses.
In the same way that; eyes construct 3-D understanding from 2-D sensory data, so do human minds
construct 3-D and more dimensions from individual experiences, understandings and through sharing
perspectives as social creatures with our families and society. BSN-ETRDs as formal procedures
provide an opportunity for individuals and organisations to engage each other for understanding more
dimensions of our livelihood interaction and to construct harmonious effort with the world.
Formally each stakeholder group or ‘caucus’ (Iroquois = ‘grouping of like-interests’) gathers diverse
perspectives and then engage other stakeholder groups. Within groups, similarities and differences
between elders, youth, women, men, founders, workers, suppliers and consumers can be compared
and complemented for policy and practice. Individuals engage through their affinity groups.
Harnessing diverse perspectives holistically, Douglas Jack, eco-montreal@mcgill.ca