Recent BI and Substack Posts

An exercise for students (and everyone else). Instead of a single cause, think in terms of a chain of causes that explain why things happen. #mbi_activities

A story about an important new effort to get closer to the truth by encouraging people to admit and then work to correct their own misconceptions. #mbi_context

Before civility can provide an alternative to today's hyper-partisan dysfunction we need a clear image of what it is and isn't. #mbi_frontiers

Amid the ongoing proliferation of "rights," an argument for focusing on building support for a few fundamental rights. #mbi_context

We used to talk about coexistence between the US and the USSR. Now, is it time to talk about coexistence between the left and the right? #mbi_fundamentals

An argument that medicine not engineering offers a better model for dealing with the complexities of large-scale intractable conflict. conflict. #mbi_frontiers

For students, an article explaining why the promotion more constructive approaches to conflict is central to solving all of society's big problems. #mbi_cci

Beyond Intractability is launching a Go Fund Me campaign to raise a little money to cover core program expenses. Please contribute what you can. #mbi_challenge

What is power? The ability to get things done? The ability to push other people around? Which is right? (Actually, they both are.) #mbi_frontiers

Amid today's efforts to actually do something about oppression, it's worth stepping back and thinking about what the term actually means. #mbi_fundamentals

One of our Colleague Activities posts highlights Network Weaver's tools for strengthening large-scale complex systems. #mbi_colleague

Our biggest reason for optimism is the existence of a large number of sophisticated, ongoing efforts to address the intractable conflict problem. #mbi_colleague
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Successfully working with complex system requires us to challenge many of our assumptions and understand the limits of rational planning. #mbi_fundamentals

To be successful, any effort to advance the conflict field will require an understanding of, and a willingness to build upon, the field's existing insights. #mbi_fundamentals

We need to resist "divide and conqueror" efforts to control society by exacerbating and exploiting left/right tensions. #mbi_frontiers

The challenge of intractable conflict requires a willingness to consider, debate, and refine new ideas for advancing the frontier of the conflict field. #mbi_frontiers

One post from our Things to Do to Help section focuses on the many advantages of treating one's adversaries with respect. #mbi_to_do

While the conflict problem is extraordinarily complex, much of the solution lies in simple steps we can all take in our daily lives to help address the problem. #mbi_to_do

Before we can meet the many challenges posed by intractable conflict, we need to figure out how to get more people working on the problem. #mbi_cci

Intractable conflict is grinding effective public decision making to a halt, while also exacerbating social, economic, and environmental problems. We must do better! #mbi_cci

Beyond Intractability's many activities are focused on the enormous challenges posed by complex, large-scale, intractable conflict. #mbi_challenge

BI links to a wide range of articles that explain what makes intractable conflict so challenging and how these challenges can be met. #mbi_context

BI in Context links to articles like this one reviewing "Ill Winds" an important new book on the crises facing democracy. #mbi_context

This fall, Beyond Intractability is starting a new online seminar and taking the next step in its Constructive Conflict Initiative. #mbi_challenge

Recent upgrades to the BI homepage and website structure provide better support for the Constructive Conflict Initiative and better access to BI learning materials.