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Error rendering: Latest news item (paging view)Conflict Done Well FAQ - Arrogance and Teaching StagesThanks so much for your request that I respond publicly to this anonymous message! Whoever you are, you have inspired me to make a series of video responses to frequently asked questions and notions requiring clarification.
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Pay For My SupportWhen a culture normalizes advertising in all forms of contact, and then makes money and speech equivalent, we learn to want to be paid somehow before expressing approbation.
"I am pushed to wear and drive brands around, making money for some mega-corp by getting eyeballs on their brand 24x7. I'm not going to Like that dude's stuff in public. What's in it for me?"
Support becomes transactional, something we are less likely to provide each other without some squid pro quo (no offense to cephalopods everywhere).
I am a person. Help me do more because my work is good and can make our world a better place.
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Makes me think of Citizen's United. In the context where advertising is crammed into every cranny of your psyche, money is speech. Worse, the Little Gal's (Guy's) efforts to do good work and make a living, especially doing something new, can't get "heard" or seen because it doesn't already glisten with wealth.
Huston Smith+RecommendationsHuston Smith
To Whom It May Concern:
I would like to draw your attention to Brandon Williamscraig in hope that you will consider him for positions related to his areas of advanced study in mythology, psychology, religion, literature, and cultural studies that involve conflict and peace. His professional background has included teaching in the public schools, many hundreds of hours working with small groups to facilitate building community; teaching aikido and providing mediation and conflict facilitation; and a career in theater and liturgical music. He currently directs the non-profit Association Building Community in the San Francisco Bay Area where he co-founded the Guardians of Peace project.
On a personal note I can vouch for his dependability, facility for systemic thought and careful critique, and dedication to work toward the betterment of everyone in his sphere of influence. He will be clear about what he knows, doesn't know, and guesses at in the spaces in between. Collegiality and co-creation are two of his strongest suits and when he agrees to serve you, you may rely upon him.
I developed these impressions of Brandon during the many hours that he has helped me with computer problems and during our meetings for tea and to exchange ideas. If you would like his help in any of the above areas, I can assure you that you will be well served. [Dr. Smith wrote "If you have further questions please feel free to phone or fax me at the numbers given." He passed away on December 30, 2016.]
Sincerely yours,
Formerly Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Washington University, M.I.T., Syracuse University, and Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies UC - Berkeley.
David Becker+Recommendations"Brandon was great. Very professional, enjoyable and easy to work with."
David K. Becker, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor, UCSF Department of Pediatrics
Dhyana Iris+Recommendations"I just thought of a possible gig for you. I've been dealing with this sticky/issue laden interaction in one work relationship. As I was going out to the garage I thought, "Brandon would be the perfect person to de-escalate situations like this." And then I thought what a good fit it would be for you to be an on-call person to go to red line conflicts, and bring things back to sanity."
Dhyana Iris, Elder Care ProfessionalKatie Johnson+Recommendations"AH! Now I understand!!! Thanks. You are a patient teacher--a quality I know and appreciate in others."
Katie Johnson, Retired TeacherFoster Gamble+Recommendations"Brandon is a very bright and energetic problem solver with a deep commitment to Aikido in the world. I think he will do great if anyone can at this challenging time during the unnecessary and intentionally fabricated economic collapse.
Thanks to you for all you did and do in support. Your relaxed competence and generous spirit helped keep the whole event together and made it optimally enjoyable."
Foster Gamble, international entrepreneur and film-maker
Iris McGinnis+Recommendations"thanks for listening while i did my deep dive to the bottom.
thanks for not saying i was being extreme.
trying to get me to look at what was going well.
by doing that i was able to recover much more quickly.
and this morning have a more balanced perspective on how things are going."
Iris McGinnis, disability rights activist, family of choice, colleagueAll the news... (includes older items)