Engagement for the Greater Good

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Comment by Terrence Seamon on August 11, 2009 at 8:27am

One thought that occurs to me (as I read your comment that "too many people simply are not at a high level of “satisfaction” societally") is that what may be keeping some from great engagement is that their level of dis-satisfaction may be too low. Once that level rises high enough --say with regard to their local school system, or local taxes, or with issues at a higher level of society-- then people start to engage around efforts to change and improve things.

I think that may be part of the psychology that Pres. Obama is currently using in his talks about the health care system, saying that it's broken and unsustainable. Appealing to people's level of dis-satisfaction.

Judging by the town hall disruptions, however, I don't think his appeal is working. It may be that people's level of dis-satisfaction is much higher with regard to unemployment, downsizings, taxes, and corporate greed.

Terry

Comment by Craig Althof on August 10, 2009 at 10:01am

Hi Terrence. Thanks for joining in. I'm really curious where this will go. It seems I am always looking for a meaningful, personally engaging cause. The title of this group reflects that.

I’d like to briefly explain what I’m looking at….hypothesis: the issues education in America is facing are societal as well as academic. And societal issues are deeply impacted by disengagement. Therefore, if we can determine HOW engagement works, and point that knowledge toward academic and societal issues, we can collectively make a huge impact on world welfare.
This is extremely meaningful to me as a business person, parent, grandparent, educator and simply as a camper who wants to leave the campground in better shape than I found it.

I posted a discussion here a while back that waas modified for "general" consumption at my blog. Excerpted, from Tribes, Society and Engagement
(modified from a discussion on the EEN) ...There is an unacceptably high level of social disengagement-we do not have a strong set of shared values or social expectations. Not to mention that too many people simply are not at a high level of “satisfaction” societally. I have stated elsewhere that…
1. Engagement is contagious. You can catch it from others just as you can “infect” others.
2. Engagement ripples the surface of the pond…it spreads by association. If I am an engaged person at work / in my position, I am probably engaged elsewhere. And it will show, and will trigger #1.

Is engagement important? YES, on many levels—personal, professional, societal.

Comment by Terrence Seamon on August 10, 2009 at 8:05am

Great idea for a group, Craig.
Terry