Use this POST DATE ORDERED BLOG for Colleague Activities posts. Individual entries can be drawn from links to information about colleague activities posted elsewhere on the web or from write-ups that we have done and posted on BI (see "MBI Core Content Basic Pages" coded as "Seminar/Discussion: College Activities") NOTE: Entries need to be made for all existing Colleague Activity posts using the same Title and Facebook-Length Summary. 

Going All The Way: The loneliness of the long-distance thinker

Facebook Length Summary

Ashok Panikkar reflects on the "cognitive state" of the US citizenry, observing that it is "abysmal. " It "wouldn't be out of place in feudal and despotic societies where we would be proud serfs and well-behaved subjects."

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Cynical interpretations of our adversaries' actions can amplify divides — and help our adversaries

Facebook Length Summary

Zach Elwood talks about the responses he has received to a controversial article that he published in The Fulcrum on the consequences of cynicism.

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‘UNDIVIDE US’ Film is Breaking Down Barriers for Civil Conversation

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From the Philanthropy Roundtable, guidelines for promoting more constructive ways of discussing controversial issues.

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Combatting Authoritarianism: The Skills and Infrastructure Needed to Organize Across Difference

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This 2022 article, by Maria Stephan and Julia Roig, is part of a series from leading experts with practical solutions to democratic backsliding, polarization, and political violence.

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Is Political Forgiveness an Antidote to Authoritarianism?

Facebook Length Summary

Authoritarian movements take hold because of the choices we make. While we can also make choices that that will reverse these trends, we have to recognize what is happening first.

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A Liberal Reader Criticizes Us for “Both-sides”-ism

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Starts with Us explains that examining polarizing behaviors from people across the political spectrum helps people on all sides see that they have an important role to play in healing our divisions and helping solve problems.

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Unlocking the Secrets of Misinformation with Samuel Spitale

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A conversation about how misinformation shapes our reality -- and what we can do about it.

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The Aspen Institute's Social Trust Index.

Facebook Length Summary

This social trust index, available for every US zipcode, looks at three measures of trust in neighborhoods across the country, and provides info on how to build more trust.

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Narratives of America Project

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This summer, the Narratives of America project has been part of important conversations with organizations and individuals who share a common goal: creating a new vision of social well-being where everyone can thrive. 

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Exploring the Dynamics of Project 2025 & Agenda 47 with Dr. Sean Evans

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From David Beckemeyer, an examination of two significant conservative policy initiatives and their potential implications for democracy.

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References BI Knowledge Base Post (incl. new student papers)