> dependence -> independence -> interdependence
Dave, I am pretty sure that you are advocating moving beyond independence
to an interdependent society. I can see why this might have been very
necessary in the organized world where the requirement to participate in
organized structures such as transportation systems and buildings caused
many social problems such as gangs, queues/ road rage, personal abuse,
racism and so on. People, trapped within and subject to societal systems,
often came across people in coerced, non-voluntary situations. In such a
society, interdependence would be a positive thing- because I would
realize that that idiot trying to get me to drive faster is in fact a
fellow human being and potential friend and team member of mine.
What I believe will happen increasingly in the future is that each
individual will be able to take control of all of their transactions and
avoid the tyrannies of time and place- they can work from home, with whom
they want, when they want. As such, they will choose to actively shape any
transactions they participate in- they will control their business and
social transactions. These transactions will in turn be welcomed by other
approached parties provided the transaction initiator has a non-extreme,
non-threatening manner and reputation. The market confers the ultimate
accountability in such a voluntary rather than coersive society.
In such an unorganized world, independence is the idea state of affairs
for each and any individual. The ability to determine oine's own destiny
and who to apprach to help live that dream. Independence is having viable
exercisbale choices. The independence from coercion- and the knowledge
that interdependence is a positive choice and who to be interdependent
with and on is a choice too. In such a world, ANY interdependence IS NICE
BUT NOT NECESSARY. I may benefit from having books published by a
traditional publisher or working with a traditional management
consultancy, but these things are not necessary for me to meet my dreams-
I have choices. Of course the traditional dependence of women on men is
reduced too, given the ability to control birth and participate in work
systems- given if they are over-organized.
Interdependence a la Covey at al is the search for solutions to today's
organized society's problems. Instead we should once again reassess basic
principled and accepted wisdom and ask ourselves how we can change the
underlying society to solve this problems. Increasingly, we can, and
should!
Regards sincerely Simon Buckingham http://www.unorgn.com
--Simon Buckingham <go57@dial.pipex.com>
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>