I Dream…

I was at a meeting the other day. People were struggling to understand the complexities of economic development within our town. Professional consultants in the field led the workshop. Elected leaders of the town were the primary participants, but so too were the senior staff of the city. The latter are immersed in the day to day operations of the city and have career-long concerns about what is emerging on the horizon for their areas of expertise.

These people know how to run their departments with the current resources. They can well imagine times when those resources will be either absent or in short supply. Yet another scenario: resources will be plentiful to solve future problems because they have prepared for them, positioned the community to acquire the necessary resources and, quite importantly, planned in depth for alternative scenarios should things not work out as well as hoped.

I turned to a colleague who has academic credentials at college level. He thinks as deeply as I on matters of public concern. He wonders what impact current decisions will have on the community, and I wonder how we can make decisions that will improve and sustain the community and its dreams of the future.

He and I agreed that there exists a method of discussing highly interdependent topics that benefit from one another. The symposium panel is the magical tool.  Here’s how it works.

First, the topic to be discussed is selected. Next, a list of specialists, maybe even experts, in a cross section of areas having impact on the selected topic, are gathered to discuss the topic. The actual discussion to follow will share knowledge of each area of expertise. Assumptions and conclusions that appear to be of central importance in understanding the topic, problem, and possible solutions, are aired. Those ideas which emerge as consensus are recorded. From this consensus comes the conscious formation of questions which the group feels must be researched and answered if meaningful progress on solving topical problems are to be found.

It is important to recognize that consensus is not 100% agreement but rather a general agreement on matters that can be used to further research and think out the areas of discussion. Also, pre-eminence of one field over another is strictly avoided; each area is allowed its own importance of value and function as it relates to solving the area under discussion.

A final item of importance is this: the group’s progress toward finding workable solutions to a problem is based on its ability to work together as harmonious as possible while colliding ideas eventually work towards conclusions that are sustainable for the long term.

It is this process of respect for ideas and logical thinking that leads to practical application of education, knowledge and expertise to solving problems worth solving for the common good.

Example: energy consumed by the globe is nearly entirely dependent on fossil fuels. Modern physics, on the other hand, are well aware of alternate energy sources having nothing to do with fossil fuels. Inasmuch as fossil fuels currently deplete the planet’s resources and place in peril the quality of our air, water and soil, doesn't it seem well worth our while to move determinedly toward the new energy sources?  Shouldn't we be researching these sources and determine if they can be safely used without producing major, offsetting side effects? Currently atomic energy produces atomic wastes which are deadly to human life. Are there means to eliminate the harmful attributes of the wastes or use them for alternate purposes while neutralizing their harmful effects?

The latter has been under study for decades. Progress has been made. Breakthroughs are tantalizingly near at times but funding for conclusive research remains elusive. When it is understood that such energy resources may very well cause electric, natural gas and automotive industries major dislocations and disinvestment, it is no wonder that politicians protect the old industries while hampering the research which may very well solve enormous problems for mankind.

I dream that this industrial protectionism disappears. If we Americans believe in free markets, then the market of free ideas should be allowed to take us to new heights. As gasoline, oil and other energy prices rise to reflect scarcity of supplies, then alternate energy is needed to maintain public safety and order. It is a function of government to do this. It is not a function of government to protect industries from changing costs associated with change.

I dream that the people’s work will be accomplished with open minds and safety ensured. This will require decision makers to be focused on long term results not short term benefits of key players.

Such is true in health, energy, education, defense and commerce. These are the basic endeavors to ensure quality life of our citizens. Why are finance, politics and ideology allowed to obstruct mankind’s progress?

Now that would make for an interesting symposium!

March 5, 2014