It’s an age-old fact about the way our brains work: If a tiger is chasing us, we almost certainly run, aided by a surge of adrenaline in our nervous system. We’ve survived as a species—each of us is here now—because those before us who were threatened with death figured out what they had to do to survive.
War and gun violence continue to plague too many of us—in America and around the world—on a daily basis. The great promise of living in the modern world is the opportunity to focus on matters beyond mere survival. And yet, there’s another side to this progress: The reality of our warming planet, the rising oceans, the melting ice, the growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events—and the accelerating prospects of an altered world that includes dangerously high temperatures, shrinking coastlines, dried rivers and lakes, and once-populated areas becoming uninhabitable.
Conditions like these might be enough to make you run or engage in battle, if the threat feels sufficiently imminent and you have the confidence that running or some other action would lead you to safety. If you lived in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina or in Puerto Rico now with the battering of Hurricane Fiona, the danger of catastrophe was and is no abstraction. Concrete action—fight or flight—is often the difference between life and death.
But many others who believe such perilous realities are many years or decades away assume the luxury to ignore the problem. Perhaps they are counting on the arrival of healthy solutions or meaningful mitigations that will limit the potential scale of disaster. But the failure to act now could make the threat of the “killer tiger” that much more likely to become real.
This week I participated in a conference focused on global futures where issues like this—how must society change, what kind of leadership and government do we need, how do we end dependence on fossil fuels, how do we increase equity and resilience, how do we reduce the spread of violence and hate, what voices must be heard—were front and center. The goal was to develop concrete responses to current and coming dangers. To employ our wit and our will to ensure better futures. I think that requires not only recognizing the threats but also embracing hope.
But the question that lingers for me is how can people be motivated to participate in driving change? That leads me to ask: Are you more motivated by hope or fear? And what spurs one or the other? As you might gather, I think the answer (and how it might influence the work of journalists and other storytellers) could not be more important. I hope this is a question you’ll both answer and share with others.
I am motivated DIFFERENTLY by hope and fear. Hope motivates me to make slower, steadier, more consistent progress toward a goal or destination. Fear motivates me to get off my keister and move — sooner than later with more urgency. I've been experiencing both in the last 6 years and am trying to utilize each as mindfully as I am able (when I am able!).
As an optimist I am more motivated by hope, but fear of the unknown is always present. Depending on who you listen to, the future looks pretty scary. Sometimes I think that folks are too much like the recent movie "Don't Look Up" which is how too many feel. It either isn't going to happen (conspiracy by Dems to scare the world?) or so what - what can I do? We can all do a lot by voting the idiots who espouse "Don't Look Up" and get our government back on track. As the strongest economy on earth allied with the our allies in Europe and elsewhere, we can make a difference, and I think this November will dictate a lot about where we are going. If the Trumplicans are able to pull off wins, we are screwed, but I am beginning to feel that this isn't going to happen. I think they have finally gone over the line with abortion/women's rights and meddling with our voting systems. Hope is eternal.
I wrote a post about this recently, Steven, and hope is abundance and fear is scarcity. I vacillate... but perhaps it’s a matter of perception given the situation.
These days, for me, fear is strong, hope is weak. Hope says, "well, I hope things will be OK, or will turn out fine". Fear drives me to act, to make decisions that may affect the future. Fear can motivate me to take action, then I can hope for the best outcome.
The problem is discussion advice action ends with adjournment. Congressional investigative committees end with no commitment. As for climate, the President can advocate his Green New Deal, but with the divisions prevalent in this country, we may as well wish upon a star. It has about as much backing and promise as an election speech. trump says wind towers cause cancer, makes a snowball and says what climate change, and 40 % of Americans believe him. With Republicans country wide disagreeing to anything advocated by Democrats, the cows will never come home or jump over the moon. The US, Russia, Iran are the top producers of fossil fuel. Does Manchin care? We can't even get Brittney Griner home. Iran-Ha! China produces almost half of the world's coal; are they going to jeopardize their economy? So regardless what the US can achieve, will the rest of the world cooperate, will the climate change for the better? Europe now is in a dither with Russian gas cut off.
As for war, when has it not existed? As long as there are power hungry people, there will be war. As long as no politician has the guts to ban guns and face the probable unanimous backlash from not only criminals but also those who think it is sport to practice shooting at a cardboard figure of a person, shootings will go on. As long as there is poverty, a lack of organizations except the YMCA for young, restless men, education improvement and support for better courses and teachers, as long as it is harder and harder to attain middle class, which, by the way, is slowly disappearing, shootings will continue.
I can hope Ukraine will win, I fear they may be overcome. I can hope the Ian hurricane will not affect central Florida where I live, but I fear that it will. I can hope I will lose some weight, but I fear I will continue to eat Hershey chocolate nuggets.
So, the old quote still has standing. Hope for the best, fear the worst. Maybe if lucky, we will end up in the middle somewhere.
James Baldwin: “To be [sane] and conscious in America is to be in a constant state of rage.” Nevertheless, I am full of hope that we can make the world better for all. Hope is an act of courage.
I was chatting with the climate scientist Dr. Catherine Hayhoe on Twitter about climate communication and discouraging signs and I related my two novels Warm Front and Heat Wave that came out in 2012 and were started in 2005 that no one read due to lack of a major publisher and marketing. Also the subject matter of global warming turned people off in those days if not now as well. She said she changes her approach if the message isn't working. I would change nothing about what I wrote. The science is real and true. Now, as then, we are the characters. Still timely after all these years. Soldier on.
I think one needs a workable balance. Specifically, one needs to have and retain hope even while recognizing that there exists very real events that can provoke fear. In other words, fear should not have the final say in our life but should always be used constructively with action and hope. For example, the threat of climate change is real. It’s natural to have fear of what could happen. Indeed, if we didn’t have fear of the consequences, we would end up climate change deniers. But it’s what we do about it that gives us hope for the future.
I am mostly motivated by hope. Hope that there can be a better world if I do what I can in my tiny sphere. Hope that human dignity will once again overcome the hatred that is so pervasive. Hope that tomorrow we take a step towards truth and away from propaganda and outright lies. Hope that my granddaughter will have a works still full of wonder, but also a world of peace and beauty. I do have fears, as we all do. But one day I had a child with a severe birth defect. The doctor told us “he will die before 11 years old. You put baby in institution. Go home have more babies”. We took him home and did our best with hope in a good life. He’s 42, lives in his own home, has a job working with students. Fear may motivate us, but it can also paralyze us. I choose hope, because I have faith
I am motivated by hope and that is why I am a Democrat because it is the party of constant hope and tireless effort to improve our society for all. Fear however drives me to donate. 👍
I try to remain motivated by a belief in myself to make good decisions that will impact my actions as I try to look beyond this moment..I hope that I do not become paralyzed by the fear of a collective failure to crush this fascist movement in the defense of our Democracy..
I'm motivated by the challenge of solving problems, Going into the unknown and working it.
As to Change, I highly recommend the work of Noel Tichy. He was/is an important thought leader in organizational change. But consider America..an organization!
The fundamental precept is: Create the NEED for change.
This should be deep, true, obvious when explained sufficiently.
Think of working our American situation as part Problem Solving, and part Marketing. Marketing is NOT really advertising. It's fundamental is NEEDE assessment. Needs, some say, and I agree, pre-exist. Example... Napoleon "needed" an iPad and Sats.etc... he just was unaware obviously.
So Create the Need for Change. Then elaborate and build buy-in.
The most important NEEDS for America are literally established by the Declaration of Independence. By self definition, these words are Universal and Timeless Invariants. They apply to all people, all the time, everywhere. They are the most important words, as Lincoln led off with in his Gettysburg Address.
We hold these TRUTHS, to be self-evident.
That all 'People' are Created Equal.
Endowed by Their (own individual determination) Creater with the Inalienable Rights:
Life
Liberty
Pursuit of Happiness
Aren't these stating the ever lasting Vision for America?
Pehaps our Need.... is to strive to achieve them... and place the Change Agent right in frontnof them
I am motivated DIFFERENTLY by hope and fear. Hope motivates me to make slower, steadier, more consistent progress toward a goal or destination. Fear motivates me to get off my keister and move — sooner than later with more urgency. I've been experiencing both in the last 6 years and am trying to utilize each as mindfully as I am able (when I am able!).
As an optimist I am more motivated by hope, but fear of the unknown is always present. Depending on who you listen to, the future looks pretty scary. Sometimes I think that folks are too much like the recent movie "Don't Look Up" which is how too many feel. It either isn't going to happen (conspiracy by Dems to scare the world?) or so what - what can I do? We can all do a lot by voting the idiots who espouse "Don't Look Up" and get our government back on track. As the strongest economy on earth allied with the our allies in Europe and elsewhere, we can make a difference, and I think this November will dictate a lot about where we are going. If the Trumplicans are able to pull off wins, we are screwed, but I am beginning to feel that this isn't going to happen. I think they have finally gone over the line with abortion/women's rights and meddling with our voting systems. Hope is eternal.
I wrote a post about this recently, Steven, and hope is abundance and fear is scarcity. I vacillate... but perhaps it’s a matter of perception given the situation.
These days, for me, fear is strong, hope is weak. Hope says, "well, I hope things will be OK, or will turn out fine". Fear drives me to act, to make decisions that may affect the future. Fear can motivate me to take action, then I can hope for the best outcome.
Inspired by hope.
Motivation isn’t as important to me as inspiration.
It’s the difference between positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement.
Positive reinforcement provides freedom which in turn provides more hope which in turn leads to more creativity.
Works for all sentient beings.
The problem is discussion advice action ends with adjournment. Congressional investigative committees end with no commitment. As for climate, the President can advocate his Green New Deal, but with the divisions prevalent in this country, we may as well wish upon a star. It has about as much backing and promise as an election speech. trump says wind towers cause cancer, makes a snowball and says what climate change, and 40 % of Americans believe him. With Republicans country wide disagreeing to anything advocated by Democrats, the cows will never come home or jump over the moon. The US, Russia, Iran are the top producers of fossil fuel. Does Manchin care? We can't even get Brittney Griner home. Iran-Ha! China produces almost half of the world's coal; are they going to jeopardize their economy? So regardless what the US can achieve, will the rest of the world cooperate, will the climate change for the better? Europe now is in a dither with Russian gas cut off.
As for war, when has it not existed? As long as there are power hungry people, there will be war. As long as no politician has the guts to ban guns and face the probable unanimous backlash from not only criminals but also those who think it is sport to practice shooting at a cardboard figure of a person, shootings will go on. As long as there is poverty, a lack of organizations except the YMCA for young, restless men, education improvement and support for better courses and teachers, as long as it is harder and harder to attain middle class, which, by the way, is slowly disappearing, shootings will continue.
I can hope Ukraine will win, I fear they may be overcome. I can hope the Ian hurricane will not affect central Florida where I live, but I fear that it will. I can hope I will lose some weight, but I fear I will continue to eat Hershey chocolate nuggets.
So, the old quote still has standing. Hope for the best, fear the worst. Maybe if lucky, we will end up in the middle somewhere.
James Baldwin: “To be [sane] and conscious in America is to be in a constant state of rage.” Nevertheless, I am full of hope that we can make the world better for all. Hope is an act of courage.
This is perfect! For me rage is definitely fueled with hope!
I am motivated by hope, much more than fear, Steven.
Hope always. I’m too comfortable to be afraid of anything right now, but that could change at any time I suppose.
I was chatting with the climate scientist Dr. Catherine Hayhoe on Twitter about climate communication and discouraging signs and I related my two novels Warm Front and Heat Wave that came out in 2012 and were started in 2005 that no one read due to lack of a major publisher and marketing. Also the subject matter of global warming turned people off in those days if not now as well. She said she changes her approach if the message isn't working. I would change nothing about what I wrote. The science is real and true. Now, as then, we are the characters. Still timely after all these years. Soldier on.
I think one needs a workable balance. Specifically, one needs to have and retain hope even while recognizing that there exists very real events that can provoke fear. In other words, fear should not have the final say in our life but should always be used constructively with action and hope. For example, the threat of climate change is real. It’s natural to have fear of what could happen. Indeed, if we didn’t have fear of the consequences, we would end up climate change deniers. But it’s what we do about it that gives us hope for the future.
I am mostly motivated by hope. Hope that there can be a better world if I do what I can in my tiny sphere. Hope that human dignity will once again overcome the hatred that is so pervasive. Hope that tomorrow we take a step towards truth and away from propaganda and outright lies. Hope that my granddaughter will have a works still full of wonder, but also a world of peace and beauty. I do have fears, as we all do. But one day I had a child with a severe birth defect. The doctor told us “he will die before 11 years old. You put baby in institution. Go home have more babies”. We took him home and did our best with hope in a good life. He’s 42, lives in his own home, has a job working with students. Fear may motivate us, but it can also paralyze us. I choose hope, because I have faith
I am motivated by hope and that is why I am a Democrat because it is the party of constant hope and tireless effort to improve our society for all. Fear however drives me to donate. 👍
Probably by both: fear for the future but hope for the future. Fear, if we do not turn this ship around and hope if we do..
I try to remain motivated by a belief in myself to make good decisions that will impact my actions as I try to look beyond this moment..I hope that I do not become paralyzed by the fear of a collective failure to crush this fascist movement in the defense of our Democracy..
https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:9497d134-d950-3a56-b266-c01de527d33a by Noel Tichy on Change
I'm motivated by the challenge of solving problems, Going into the unknown and working it.
As to Change, I highly recommend the work of Noel Tichy. He was/is an important thought leader in organizational change. But consider America..an organization!
The fundamental precept is: Create the NEED for change.
This should be deep, true, obvious when explained sufficiently.
Think of working our American situation as part Problem Solving, and part Marketing. Marketing is NOT really advertising. It's fundamental is NEEDE assessment. Needs, some say, and I agree, pre-exist. Example... Napoleon "needed" an iPad and Sats.etc... he just was unaware obviously.
So Create the Need for Change. Then elaborate and build buy-in.
The most important NEEDS for America are literally established by the Declaration of Independence. By self definition, these words are Universal and Timeless Invariants. They apply to all people, all the time, everywhere. They are the most important words, as Lincoln led off with in his Gettysburg Address.
We hold these TRUTHS, to be self-evident.
That all 'People' are Created Equal.
Endowed by Their (own individual determination) Creater with the Inalienable Rights:
Life
Liberty
Pursuit of Happiness
Aren't these stating the ever lasting Vision for America?
Pehaps our Need.... is to strive to achieve them... and place the Change Agent right in frontnof them
And the media proves it, unfortunately. But that's not who we are, is it? That we read these missives proves we have hope, I say.