Recent BI and Substack Posts

Destructive escalation is the most dangerous force on the planet. The "enemy" is not the other side, it's the escalation. We must learn how to control it. #mbi_fundamentals

In order to win the struggle against oppression, you need to understand its multifaceted nature. This recently updated series of essays can help. #mbi_fundamentals

Political rhetoric has been moving toward increasingly dehumanized enemy images. If we want to save democracy we have to reverse this trend--NOW! #mbi_cci

Like, beauty, "justice" is "in they eye of the beholder. " Or is it not? Can it be objectively measured? #mbi_fundamentals

Stories from people with vast experience in de-escalating and resolving the most difficult racial, ethnic, and sexual orientation conflicts. #mbi_cci

To prevent violence, you need to respond to more than the immediate incident. You need to look at the structures and processes that led to it. #mbi_cci

Expressions of anger and unfocused demands are unlikely to fix things. You need a workable plan and a strategy for building the needed support. #mbi_cci

This black/white, there's only room for one of us in this space is not a recipe for peace or justice.  It's a recipe for war. #mbi_cci

Better framing can contribute to depolarization, mutual understanding, productive dialogue, and real problem solving. Why don't we work on that? #mbi_cci

As we struggle to do what we can to help address today's tough problems, it's worth thinking about our areas of influence and how they might be expanded. #mbi_cci

This essay catalogs the many theories of change used by peacebuilders with the goal of giving us all ideas for increasing our effectiveness. #mbi_fundamentals

1988 Civil Liberties Act, with all its imperfections and incompleteness, is proof that the United States is capable initiating reconciliation #mbi_knowbase

Civil discourse is not intended to change minds of others, but to help the participants to be curious and grow themselves. #mbi_knowbase

Our conflict problems are largely media problems--problems that lead us to wildly different images of the nature of problems like COVID or racism. #mbi_cci

In today's troubled times, it's important to remember that learning how to handle conflict more constructively is a long-term process. #mbi_cci

It's not enough to figure out how to solve problems, we have to figure out how to solve the problems that are preventing us from solving problems. #mbi_frontiers

An overview of common mistakes that people make when trying to deal with uncertain situations like COVID-19 (and strategies for avoiding them). #mbi_cci

President Obama shows us how leaders can respond to crises in ways which bring us together in a spirit of real problem-solving. #mbi_context

This video lecture, which I put together earlier in the Trump presidency, seems especially relevant now. We are entering a very dangerous period. #mbi_frontiers

For a time in which so many have good reasons to think of themselves as victims, it's worth thinking about the implications of victimhood. #mbi_fundamentals

Looking for something worthwhile to do amidst the COVID lockdown? Try reviewing the fundamental building blocks of the conflict and peacebuilding fields. #mbi_fundamentals

Humanity needs to make a choice.  Will we travel down the route of disunity, or will we adopt the path of global solidarity?   #mbi_colleague

Yes, COVID-19 is growing exponentially. But so, too, is goodness and trust, which can be harnessed to counter the virus.  #mbi_colleague

Fight despair by taking action--doing something relevant to you to address our personal and collective predicament.  #mbi_colleague

COVID-19 has brought us to a crossroads. We can continue our destructive, us-vs-them confrontations or we can learn to work genuinely together. #mbi_cci