Why the World Needs More Builders — and Less “Us vs. Them” | Daniel Lubetzky | TED
Understanding Extremism and Building Bridges
The speaker discusses the prevalent "us versus them" mentality in society and proposes a shift towards unity against extremism.
The Problem of Division
- Society is divided into various factions, fostering hate and dehumanization.
- Blaming others for societal issues hinders collaboration on real solutions.
Unity Against Extremism
- Proposes reframing conflicts as all of us versus extremism rather than us versus them.
- Calls for unity among the majority who value dignity against extremist ideologies.
Mindset Shift for Problem Solving
- Emphasizes that the enemy is a mindset, not individuals, advocating for practical problem-solving over conflict.
- Distinguishes between destroyers (extremists) and builders (peaceful individuals), urging common-sense problem solvers to take action.
Building Communities Through Cooperation
The speaker shares his experience of fostering cooperation through business ventures to bridge divides in conflict regions.
PeaceWorks Initiative
- Founded Kind snack company based on promoting cooperation in conflict regions.
- Established PeaceWorks to unite neighbors in conflict zones through economic relationships and shared humanity.
Global Response to Extremism
- Recognized the need for human infrastructure to combat extremism globally.
- Launched a platform to promote builders worldwide and engage citizens in constructive solutions.
Initiatives for Bridging Divides
Initiatives aimed at countering polarization by promoting critical thinking and citizen-driven solutions are discussed.
Builders Media Content
- Produces content in multiple languages to strengthen critical thinking skills rather than dictate opinions.
Citizen Solutions Program
- Encourages engaged citizens to propose practical solutions, revealing hidden consensus on divisive issues.
Negotiation Success Story
New Section
In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of adopting a builder's mindset in addressing societal issues and promoting unity over division.
The Builder's Mindset
- Builders focus on uniting rather than dividing, staying resilient while upholding values.
- A builder's toolkit is being developed to encourage critical thinking, replace cancel culture with respectful debate, and empower individuals to drive change in their communities.
- Builders aim to create social enterprises, bridges, jobs, and societal change by being proactive protagonists in their lives.
New Section
The speaker shares a personal story about his father's experience during the Holocaust, highlighting the impact of kindness and humanity even in dark times.
Story of Resilience
- Recounting a harrowing experience from his father's past involving an act of compassion amidst extreme adversity.
- Despite facing immense darkness, a glimmer of light was found through an unexpected act of kindness that saved lives.
- Reflecting on the power of human interactions to combat hate and prevent history from repeating itself through individual actions.
New Section
The speaker underscores the pivotal role builders play in shaping a positive future by fostering kindness and assuming positive intent in all interactions.
Power of Kindness
- Emphasizing that if builders do not take action against destructive forces, history may repeat its worst chapters.