< Changing Worldviews.Commentary >

Words are powerful - Thoughts shape - Ideas have consequences

Debra Rae

Author, "ABCs of Globalism"
Posted September 13, 2004

The Octopus Chronicles
Arm 6: Technological Reach of Globalism

Since appearance of the Altair 8800 in 1975, the personal- or micro- computer has become widely accepted globally. In fact, the personal computer is a customary accessory among our youth, especially those with a vision and on a mission. This trend is certain to escalate if the likes of Bill Gates have say. In The Road Ahead, this Microsoft mogul gives a glimpse into tomorrow’s technology (e.g., the wallet PC). Times, they are a-changin’, but (for some) apparently not fast enough.

For liberal progressives to “transform unequal power structures, resist abuse of privilege, and break down disciplinary boundaries,” student-led reform is deemed necessary. Realizing that ours is a youth-centric culture, prominent cosmic educators (as Shirley McCune), progressives (as Teresa Heinz Kerry), futurists (as Paul Allen), and globalists (as Robert Muller) target and coach the young in search of a new and sustainable one-world order.

Reacting to alleged “adultism” (oppression of youth by their seniors) and “ageism” (exclusion of youth in decision-making), young visionaries are roused to involve themselves in communications, government, and grant making—more often than not by means of the Internet (http://www.soundout.org; http://www.yp3.org). Arguably, the cyberspace superhighway expedites global interconnectedness as nothing else can. No wonder technology and the liberal media are targeted as “liberating tools” to engage co-learners as co-creators of knowledge. Mind you, in the new paradigm, knowledge is a mere social construct not to be mistaken for “truth”— which by today’s definition is self-serving, relative, and situational at best.

For good reason, UNESCO’s International Implementation Scheme for its coming Decade of Education for Sustainable Development earmarks education as “the primary agent of transformation.” Trendy transformational learning emphasizes values, behavior, and lifestyles while, at the same time, it subordinates academics and eschews rote memory. The clear move is from constructive, socialized education to self-learning (called “de-schooling”). Contemporary young people partner to deconstruct and, then, re-image learning processes toward what they have been influenced to believe will become a more “just, sustainable, and peaceful world” (http://www.earthcharter.org).

Enter the left-wing Free Child Project. Simply put, its Internet-stated mission is to advocate, educate, and celebrate social change as led by (and with) youth from around the world. Founded in April 2000, the project promotes “radical democracy.” Adam Fletcher is its founder-director; its motto, “Only through action do words take power.” “Hopeful news for a just, compassionate, and sustainable future,” Yes magazine on the Internet promotes Kid Connection. With students as “agents of change,” adults are demoted to support status of “allies”—this, with apparent intent to subdue “ephebiphobia” (extreme fear of youth) that presumably signals internalized oppression.

A youth-driven training ground, the Free Child Project serves as think tank, yes, but also as an advocacy group, especially for those historically denied participation resulting from bias—socio-economic and/or racial. Politically correct youth champion rights for minority races, gays, women, and animals. They bemoan what has come to be known as the “digital divide,” oppose captive breeding, denounce medical testing, and champion the mantra “my-body—my-choice.” To mobilize youth for social change, the project collaborates with the Children’s Defense Fund (Washington out East) and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, OSPI (Washington out West).

Largely driven by a new generation of activists, the 21st-century peace movement confronts so-called tyrannies with “hard core action” propelled by what is acclaimed as “a spirit of resistance.” “Critical mass” signals strength in numbers. Authors David C. Korten and Paul Loeb join the rank and file in advocating in-kind protest against “violent” corporations. What is dubbed successful “direct action” frequently involves engaging in civil disobedience, boycotts, and occupation—not to mention demonstrating, picketing, striking, protesting, and breaking laws or ordinances (e.g., creating a mural without permit). According to NYC anarchist and Redwood Forest tree sitter Anita Roddick, this is “the rent we pay to live on the planet.”

To accelerate social change by using technology to incite grassroots activism, Project Alchemy (Seattle 2001) helps get the job done. Be clear. The new youth peace movement is decidedly liberal—virtually without exception. Search the Internet for yourself, and you will find links to the Gay/Lesbian/Queer/Rainbow Alliances, Queer Union, Allied Sexual Orientations, PeTA, Sierra Student Coalition, Earth Spirit, Campus Greens, NOW, Planned Parenthood, Leftist Student Union, the Ruckus Society, and the ACLU. Perhaps not surprisingly, those in sync with its radical agenda took center stage in Boston at the 2004 Democratic National Convention—case in point, Teresa Hines Kerry, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and John Edwards. But they are not alone. Activist-historian Howard Zinn provides a needed theoretical base by means of his revisionist text, A People’s History of the US.

The nonpartisan Global Renaissance Alliance (1998) effectively creates an alternate political consciousness based on nonviolent principles of Mahatma Ghandhi. Pushing for a Department of Peace, the alliance quotes, among others, HH Dalai Lama and the Democrat Party’s 1984 vice-presidential nominee, Barbara Marx Hubbard. While the former claims to be “god,” the latter presumptuously rewrote the Bible book of Revelation and fingered Christians as “defective seed.”

Professedly to heal the community, nation, and planet, author Paul Loeb further clarifies The Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Cynical Time. An affiliate scholar at the Seattle Center for Ethical Leadership, Loeb has written pieces for the New York Times, Washington Post, Psychology Today, and Redbook. All the while assisting youth in defining core values toward “inner life integrity,” Loeb makes a compelling case for global interdependence and UN control.

Co-founder of Positive Futures Network and one of corporate capitalism’s most articulate critics, David C. Korten (MBA, Ph.D.) advances Marxism as “a good direction” in which to move (New Renaissance, Vol. 7, No. 3, May 1996). His NW Network Services boasts a full range of Internet connectivity products that further “living economies for a living planet.” Be certain that classic Marxism favors both “free trade” (to hasten social revolution) and the Robin Hood philosophy (to redistribute wealth). The latter is known more popularly as “sustainable development.”

In conclusion, progressives, futurists, and globalists target and, then, groom today’s youth. By accessing the Internet and liberal media, young activists are galvanized to pit themselves against “ephebiphobic” adult authorities and their presumed-to-be bankrupt ways. Transformational/activist learning incites “raising a ruckus” by “rethinking schools.” Victimization theories hook these youth; hard core action promises to ensure a just, peaceful, sustainable society in contrast. Revisionist history serves as its catalyst; and thanks to the likes of David C. Korten, Marxism assumes center stage in directing the social revolution at hand. In support of youth self-expression, organizations as the Daughters Sister Foundation (underwritten by the Pride Foundation) educate, inspire, and empower our young people toward realizing a new one-world order bereft of ostensibly obsolete sovereignty, traditionalism, and capitalism.

The sixth arm of globalism is summarized, as follows:

The tools: Internet and liberal media
The objective: A new global one-world order/ “just, peaceful, sustainable society”
The pawns: Young people/ “agents of change”
The enemy: “Ephebiphobic” authority figures/ “allies”
The direction: Marxism
The catalyst: Revisionist history
The hook: Alleged victimization
The means: Activism/ “hard core action”

© Debra Rae 2004 Reprinted with Permission

Debra Rae received her Master of Education degree from the University of Washington, and her Bachelor of Theology Master of Ministries degrees from Pacific School of Theology. Her work spans pre-school through adult education, including teaching at the American School of Kuwait, during which time she tutored the daughter of Kuwait's Head of Parliament. After marrying Debra joined her husband in further exploration of Africa, Asia, East- and West- Europe, North- and South- Americas -- about 70,000 miles their first year of marriage! One trip featured a memorable jaunt on the elegant British Concorde. Her book, ABCs of Globalism has prompted numerous radio interviews aired across the nation, the Western Hemisphere, Russia, and the Middle East. And her latest, the ABC’s of Cultural-isms is its sequel.