1. Global problems
Imagine us people as cells and our professions as organs in a social organism. See global problems as diseases, and their roots in the dysfunction and deformities of the organism.
(We employ the systemic way of looking, without the technical terminology: We look at the larger social system through the metaphor of the organism; we enquire into the state of its vital systems and organs, and see what it might need in order to become, and stay, alive and well.)
View 1. Financial services industry (in the US popularly known as 'Wall Street') has a central function resembling the cardiovascular system: As the cardiovascular system brings nutrients and oxygen (energy and building materials) to all organs and cells, so do the 'financial services' supply and allocate money, and in that way all other resources. This influences the vitality off the organism directly; it also determines in what way the organism will grow and evolve. REFLECTION: Reflect on the material provided in the 'Financial services industry' node: How well is this organ serving the organism?
View 2. Journalism has a key function in the social organism's immune system—to alert the cells when it is necessary to do repairs.
REFLECTION: Reflect on the material provided in the 'Journalism' node: Can journalism still be relied on in its role?
View 2. Governance (in the US popularly known as 'Washington') has the function to repair and rebuild dysfunctional organs and tissues.
REFLECTION: Reflect on the material provided in the 'Governance' node: Does it still work?
View 4. Academia is rather like the brain— its role is to think freely and find answers and solutions.
REFLECTION: Reflect on the material provided in 'Academia;' contemplate Erich Jantsch's observation that "the university should make structural changes within itself toward a new purpose of enhancing society's capability for continuous self-renewal."
View 5. Education revitalizes and rebuilds the social organism.
REFLECTION: Reflect on the material provided in the 'Education': How well does it serve?
View 6. Religion (as we choose to define this word) is what binds us to our purpose, and to each other.
REFLECTION: Reflect on the material provided in the 'Religion' node: Can religion be something else than what it tends to be today?