Difference between revisions of "Inclusion Culture"
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==Exclusion and elitism== | ==Exclusion and elitism== | ||
| − | The culture of exclusion is reinforced by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elitism elitism], the belief that a select group of people with outstanding personal abilities and specialized training are more apt to understand situations and should therefore make decisions for others. The | + | The culture of exclusion is reinforced by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elitism elitism], the belief that a select group of people with outstanding personal abilities and specialized training are more apt to understand situations and should therefore make decisions for others. The emergence of social elites at all levels is to some extent both inevitable and necessary, and can be particularly beneficial when social status is based on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritocracy meritocracy]. But elitism tends to reinforce social exclusion, particularly when combined with a philosophy of social darwinism. |
The focusing of attention and resources upon elites is especially marked in areas of rapid technological change, where know-how is critically important. Thus the field of the Internet in general, and of web startups in particular, is particularly prone to excesses of elitism and exclusion. This contrasts starkly with the supposed democratic and collaborative culture of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0 web 2.0], with its emphasis on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User-generated_content user-generated content]. I would suggest that this is the fundamental contradiction of today's web culture. (See also [[The Alterweb]]). | The focusing of attention and resources upon elites is especially marked in areas of rapid technological change, where know-how is critically important. Thus the field of the Internet in general, and of web startups in particular, is particularly prone to excesses of elitism and exclusion. This contrasts starkly with the supposed democratic and collaborative culture of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0 web 2.0], with its emphasis on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User-generated_content user-generated content]. I would suggest that this is the fundamental contradiction of today's web culture. (See also [[The Alterweb]]). | ||
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==Building a culture of inclusion== | ==Building a culture of inclusion== | ||
| − | As mentioned above, Ivan Illich wanted to counter elitism by strengthening the aptitudes of ordinary citizens, which would be a constructive way to counter exclusion. But it is also necessary to take deliberate steps to develop a culture of inclusion, as opposed to the dominant culture of exclusion. The first | + | As mentioned above, Ivan Illich wanted to counter elitism by strengthening the aptitudes of ordinary citizens, which would be a constructive way to counter exclusion. But it is also necessary to take deliberate steps to develop a culture of inclusion, as opposed to the dominant culture of exclusion. The first critical step is simply to raise the issue of exclusion, to point out, as the present text tries to do, that this cultural issue constitutes a problem. Once there is an awareness that exclusion is in fact a problem, one can begin to work on developing an Inclusion Culture as an alternative. |
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| + | The building of a culture of inclusion would involve trying to give citizens [[Convivial Tools]], and in particular [[Convivial Lifehacking Tools]]. But providing such means is less important than focusing on the ends. The aim should be to develop new cultural attitudes and behaviours that are more supportive to the ordinary members of any group. (It is well known however that cultural habits are what is the most difficult to change.) The habitual orientation of exclusionist groups or organisations should be inversed. Normally the rank-and-file give their attention and support to the elite leadership, and the latter proceeds to do great things in the name of the others. Turning this around means that whatever leadership emerges gives its attention and support to the rank-and-file, and helps the ordinary members to do things themselves. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
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*[[The Alterweb]] | *[[The Alterweb]] | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Dustbin]] |
