simon anholt

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TEDSalon Berlin 2014

Which country does the most good for the world?

the species of humanity is capable of producing extraoridinary progress if it works hard and acts together

we’re not making a lot of progress.. we’ve somehow got to get our act together. and figure out how to globalize our solutions better so we don’t become the victim

we’re still organized as a species the same way we were 200 yrs ago.. ie: 200 or so nation states

7 billion will solve – but how are they organized.. the nation makes rules for us to behave in certain ways.. wrong for solution of global problems because it all looks inward.. they behave as if every country is an island…

the way we are organized is not fitting for globalization..

this is the problem – countries competing with each other, fighting with each other

this is clearly not a good arrangement.. we clearly need to change it

why won’t we do that.. ? why is it our leaders still insist on looking inwards? well – one reason is that’s what we tell them to do.. unless we start asking our govt to start thinking outside.. we can hardly blame them..

problem w/politicians/govt

1 – govt minds of microscope rather than macro

2 – govt’s like all the rest of us are cultural psychopaths – lacks ability to empathize with other human beings. they don’t see other human beings.. the see cardboard cut outs.. aren’t most of us not really good at empathy? esp when it comes to those really different than us..?

3 – the belief that the domestic and international agendas are incompatible..

we don’t like to change – sensible not to do anything new because it might kill you – ie: we did them in the past and didn’t die

what could be that self-interest that would encourage most of us to look more outwardly...

countries depend enormously on their reputation

we admire countries that make things good – they contribute

the more you collaborate the more competitive you become

why competitive?

the good country index – countries that look outward

it’s not about rich countries giving to poor countries – not about money – but about attitude

i’ve even had enough hearing about happy countries – because that’s looking inward

when you think about your own country/company – start using the word – good –

not good the opposite of bad – but good the opposite of selfish

not enough to live in a rich, or happy, or fast-growing/competitive country – i want to live in a good country

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