In the ’50s a constant theme of scifi was the benevolent alien who tried to persuade Earthlings to stop fighting. Of course the scifi writers were orthodox Deepstaters, so Klaatu was always talking to the “aggressive” “Communists”, never talking to the “gentle” and “peaceful” US bombers and intel agencies.
Now we have an interesting invasion from India. Three new leaders are doing remarkably similar tutorials in civilized behavior. Vivek in US politics, Sunak as British PM, and the new president of Tufts University.
Vivek constantly shows us how to conduct a CIVILIZED discussion, and how to calm down partisan excitement. The twitterites are convinced this is all a stunt.
THAT’S FINE. EVEN IF IT IS A STUNT, it’s still a valid EXAMPLE of how to get people working together.
Sunak is running a tutorial for British politicians. He’s doing something unheard of in modern US/UK government: CANCELING a failed project. Breaking Parkinson.
Sunil Kumar, the new leader of Tufts, is pushing in the same direction.
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“Having never been inaugurated before, I didn’t know what to expect. Now I know—it is like being the groom in a traditional Indian wedding. You are important, but most of it isn’t about you at all,” Kumar, who is the first person of color to lead Tufts, told the crowd. “It’s about everybody else at the wedding.”
That demonstration of humility was just one way Kumar shifted the spotlight from himself to the broader Tufts community throughout Inauguration Week.
He spoke about the many people he has met over the past few months on the Medford/Somerville campus, the Boston health sciences campus, and the Grafton campus of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. He asked them, “What makes Tufts tick?” The common sentiment was that Tufts is a truly special place. He hypothesized that was because Tufts is a unique mix, offering a tight-knit, student-centered, liberal arts experience while carrying out world-class research.
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What’s the constant here? Listening and respect. Treating people as adults. No American or British politician or leader has tried it since 1945.
Putting it my way, in the linked clip Vivek is concretely implementing Carver’s rules for science and life.
LOOK ABOUT YOU. Vivek notices a protester who is trying to disrupt his speech with singing.
TAKE HOLD OF THE THINGS THAT ARE HERE. Vivek goes out and shakes the man’s hand and pats him on the back.
TALK TO THEM. Vivek invites the man to come inside and take part in the discussion.
LET THEM TALK TO YOU. Vivek listens respectfully without the usual Cable TV outraged interruption tactics.
Polistra's Mill 