We the unique people…

When you think about it, individuals are unique and different. Yet, our history of human existence on this earth is filled with two very important things – community and communication.

Our history has shown without community, there would be no survival. In forming community, individuals can seek to be with those who share the same qualities, characteristics and values, or they can seek to form a community with whose differences complement their weaknesses and blind spots.

Our history has also shown that without the ability to communicate effectively, our knowledge would not advance. Without advancing knowledge there is no innovation. Yet, historically communities of like-kind individuals who communicate effectively still struggle to survive. While blended communities of shared knowledge form melting pots of ideas and innovation and pioneer the future.

At different times in history, invaders and wars formed new communities and melting pots of blended the people, cultures, values and ideas. The United States of America was once the largest melting pot, even though some parts of our nation clung to the old values, defending the ways of slavery and the extermination of the aboriginal people.

The science and innovations that drove an industrial revolution, advancing technology – railroads, automobiles, airplanes, radio, television and computers are all products of blended communities – while the old ways of closed communities like slavery did not survive. Just looking at the problems caused by Prohibition in the United States, it becomes clear that driving a nation in reverse by looking through the rear-view mirror is never a good idea.

The same is of course true for social change – new knowledge drives social evolution. Remember, it was the “new thinking” of Jesus and the “new thinking” of Muhammad that spread around the world, and transformed a 1500 year old way of thinking about God.