Wonderbringers Newsletter with Monica Parker
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Hello Wonderseekers!
I had the opportunity to hear author and journalist George Monbiot speak this evening in London. He was discussing his new book The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism (& How It Came to Control Your Life)in which he examines the last 500 years of increasing privatization, wealth concentration, deregulation, and austerity and the ways they have infiltrated education, healthcare, leisure, and even mental well-being.
From his book:
We are astonishing creatures, blessed with an amazing capacity for kindness and care towards others. But this good nature has been thwarted by a mistaken view of our own humanity. We have been induced by certain politicians, economists and commentators to accept a vicious ideology of extreme competition and individualism that pits us against each other, and weakens the social bonds that makes our lives
worth living.
Though it is not the only factor, this has helped to usher in an age of loneliness, in which, on this crowded planet, we are disconnected from each other as never before. The result is an epidemic of unhappiness and of psychological and physical illness. The atomisation we suffer has eroded our sense of common purpose and sapped our belief that, by working together, we can change life for the better. It has undermined democracy, and allowed intolerant and violent forces to fill the political vacuum. We are trapped in a vicious circle of alienation and reaction.
By coming together to revive community life, we, the heroes of this story, can break the vicious circle. Through invoking the two great healing forces – togetherness and belonging – we can discover the central facts of our humanity: our altruism and mutual aid.
He suggests that we have been duped into believing humanity’s natural state is a dog-eat-dog, market-driven individualistic society, pitting us against each other, and destroying community and connection. Rather than the selfish gits we’ve been conditioned to believe we are, Monbiot argues that humans are in fact the most socially interdependent creatures in the animal kingdom (except perhaps the naked mole rat) and our innate desire is for societal structures that advocate for collective well-being over individual benefit.
It is increasingly hard to reimagine these collective societal structures in our hyperpolarised world, and Monbiot fears even calls for empathy and compassion are falling on deaf ears. Despite this, he remains hopeful, believing it is our very human desire for belonging that will cut through the noise of polarisation and lead the way to a safer, saner and more equitable world.
Some ways he suggests we find belonging?
Revive local community initiatives: Build grassroots projects that foster direct collaboration, such as mutual aid networks, community cares initiatives or volunteer networks that share resources, skills, and care.
Reclaim public spaces: Create communal gardens, libraries, or cultural hubs to strengthen neighbourhood ties.
Foster inclusive civic life: Encourage cross-cultural dialogue and projects that unite people across differences (e.g., ethnicity, class, education)
Rewrite the narrative: Replace individualistic myths with storytelling that celebrates collective action and interdependence.
What do you think? Is belonging the special sauce that can help us find connection?
Some wonderbringers for me this week:
Mice seen giving 'first aid' to unconscious companions: Young mice seemingly attempt to revive an anaesthetised cage mate.
How to make someone feel seen and heard: Learn validation skills to improve your relationships.
The need to belong: Why feeling like an outsider or an outcast can be psychologically crippling.
Registration invites have gone out to everyone who expressed interest in the Vision Board session. If you haven’t seen your, check your spam.
As a reminder, it will be held live Tomorrow, Thursday April 3th at 4:30pm UK (11:30am ET, 8:30am PT). A recording will be available for those who cannot join live. It is free for Wonderbringers subscribers, so if you have any folks who would like to join, forward them this email so they can subscribe to get access. Want to join? Register here!
See you tomorrow!
With wonder,
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