To start, it's required that you watch the following video. It's an RSA production that features professor and philosopher Roman Krznaric discussing empathy and how we can expand our empathetic potential. It's brilliant, and I'll use themes from the video to frame the discussion on empathy.
*** The rest of the blog assumes you have watched the video. Which of course, you should because it's fabulous.
Creating Mass Empathy Museums
Aren't empathy museums a genius idea? Wow! Roman, you had me at "A place which is not about dusty exhibits ... but an experiential and conversational public space!" Such potential!
Roman mentioned learning how sweatshops work, checking people out for conversations, etc. But I've thought of heaps of other ideas, and the possibilities are lacking in ends! In one room you could play the part of a teacher with 25 teenage students trying to impart a science lesson, in another you could be a waiter/waitress and spend 15 minutes trying to keep up with orders and balance plates and fill water glasses and remember orders and have people complain! In another room, you could be tasked with picking strawberries in a room heated to 35 degrees (100 F) and have to fill a crate and then get paid 10 pence/cents for it. This is one of those ideas where I just want to say, well, what are we all waiting for? Let's release our horses and go for it.
![]() |
Even in the 80's this was a tough job. |
If you have more Empathy museum ideas, please post them as comments on this blog. I'd love to hear them, and let me know if you'd like to collaborate on opening one of these museums in the future. Pssh. The Lourve is great, but what does it teach about The Love? Learning to love and care about a diverse range of individuals through a museum? Wow. Wow. Woah-wow.
So now that I'm done gushing about that idea...
We can build our empathetic capacity.
How? Well through museums. Wow! (See Above). Roman also mentions sensitive listening. Basically don't text while someone is talking, don't interrupt, focus on what other people are saying and show them that you truly care. And when necessary, share something about yourself, make yourself vulnerable and open up so that people know you are genuine. Do that, and you'll be amazed at what people tell you.
![]() |
I love spending time with you... |
Of course, sometimes it's proper to grease the conversation a bit with a few weighty queries. You can connect to people by asking powerful, specific questions that are significant without being invasive. What is your family like? How close are you to your family? How is your relationship with your Dad different than with your Mom? Have you ever read "A Life of Learning and Activism?". What's your favorite post? You know, these are just suggestions.
Flowering of Mass Empathy
If events like the Abolition of Slavery, Civil Rights, Women's Suffrage tell us anything, it's that such flowering can happen. I think the next great movement is developing our empathy across time, and in doing so taking meaningful action to prevent climate change. That's the great challenge of the modern world, and history tells us that's it's extremely and tantalizingly possible.
![]() |
Such an event might even be as beautiful as Oregon, but likely not. |
"The problem is that we don’t believe we are as
much alike as we are. If we
saw each other as more alike, we might be eager to join in one big human family
in this world, and to care about that family the way that we care about our
own. Invest in the human family. Invest in people. Build a little community of
those you love and those who love you.”
And empathy is how we make that happen.
-----
Kurt Berning
Great video and Post, Kurt. I love the grab a person to talk to room, as well.
ReplyDeleteYou know the idea of a living, breathing, empathy museum reminds me of The Village Free School in Portland, Oregon. Did you ever hear of it while you were there? It is an amazing, amazing place of learning, curiosity, freedom, respect, love and above all EMPATHY.
http://www.villagefreeschool.org/
It is such a beautiful thing to see human beings coming together, voluntarily, to teach, learn, listen, show, share, love, laugh and have fun. To just experience together; no material expectations, or ulterior motives. I imagine this is what you call Empathy.
I think we have lots to talk about, en Español, when we get together next.
Really enjoyed your post - thanks for spreading the word about the empathy revolution!
ReplyDeleteYour readers can find out more about my Empathy Museum ideas here: http://www.romankrznaric.com/outrospection/2010/11/28/696
There's also my article on The Six Habits of Highly Empathic People:http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_habits_of_highly_empathic_people1
Best wishes
Roman
Kurt, a great post. I love Roman's vision for empathy museums and I have already told him I'd like to be involved.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Tuesdays with Morrie is also one of my favourite books. About 10 years ago, when in Whistable for a weekend, Tuesdays with Morrie was shown on TV. Jack Lemon is Morrie and I just loved it...
When next in London, why not get in touch and maybe we could meet and chat more about the Empathy Museums:)
Have a read of my interview with Roman:
http://colourliving.co.uk/in-conversation-with-roman-krznaric
Take care,
Tina
Hello Kurt,
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
You know, we actually do have some "museums" here in Portland that fit the description: the MercyCorps action center downtown, and the Medical Teams International display in Tigard include interactive exhibits that help people understand the lives of people in the developing world. Both displays include practical responses.
And of course, part of what we do here at U.P. is get students out of their comfort zones to experience first-hand the lives of others, especially people who experience marginalization and poverty. Three days sleeping on the floor at St. Andre and working at places that serve people experiencing homelessness. A week with migrant farmworkers in Yakima. Talking with farmers in the fair trade co-op in Nicaragua.
canada goose uk
ReplyDeletelouis vuitton handbags
coach factory outlet
cheap pandora jewelry
michael kors handbags
hollister clothing
adidas nmd
michael kors outlet online
cheap true religion jeans
michael kors handbags
cincinnati bengals jerseys
michael kors outlet
canada goose sale
canada goose pas cher
coach outlet
polo shirts
coach factory outlet
true religion jeans
michael kors outlet
nike trainers uk
polo ralph lauren
toms shoes outlet
cheap ray ban sunglasses
gucci outlet online
adidas uk
coach factory outlet online
adidas nmd
louis vuitton
red bottom shoes
louis vuitton outlet online
ray ban sunglasses uk
kevin durant 9 shoes
nike air max uk
burberry outlet
oakley sunglasses wholesale
lebron 13 shoes
coach factory outlet online
rolex watches for sale
ugg boot uk
20168.10chenjinyan
longchamp handbags
ReplyDeleteadidas yeezy boost 350
ugg boots outlet
ugg
coach outlet online
adidas outlet store
mlb jerseys
nike air max 95
pandora bracelet
cheap jordan shoes
zhi20170113
toms
ReplyDeletecoach factory outlet online
coach outlet store online
air jordans
yeezy shoes
oakley sunglasses outlet
birkenstock shoes
michael kors outlet clearance
kate spade outlet
mlb jerseys
170606yueqin
ugg outlet
ReplyDeletecanada goose jackets
michael kors outlet
ugg boots
michael kors black friday
michael kors
ugg boots
polo outlet
coach outlet online
canada goose outle
20171010caihuali
converse shoes
ReplyDeletelebron 12
mac cosmetics
nike store
christian louboutin shoes
mac makeup
nike roshe
rolex watches
gucci bags
jordan xx9
20187.12huangliyue
You will agree with me that women are generally synonymous to fashion. And one of the fashion Coach Handbags Clearance that women adore so much when they want to look fashionable and thus look beautiful, is fine looking attractive and quality New Air Jordan Shoes. Thus, in as much as women love putting on quality fine looking Cheap Air Force Ones, research has confirmed that women just don't throw money around like their opposite counterpart, so quality fine looking MK Outlet they prefer, but they also prefer buying them cheap. An increasing number of people these days are finicky about the kind of Air Jordan Sale they wear. While almost everyone wants to wear the latest Michael Kors Factory Outlet and trendiest Cheap Yeezys not many are prepared to shell out exorbitant amounts of money for these. Therefore, if you want to know insider secrets to buy cheap Coach Factory Outlet Online read on to know more. (Article Source From Coach Outlet Clearance Sale)
ReplyDelete