Roman Krznaric: One Year Ago

In this conversation we discussed the many ways in which we can be Good Ancestors, from redesigning our political systems so they can take into account the long-term, how can individuals, such as you and me, live a lifestyle that makes us a Good Ancestor, we discuss six types of long-term thinking, and much more.

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Website - www.romankrznaric.com

Buy the book here with a 20% discount.

Twitter - @romankrznaric

Watch Roman's newest TED Talk here

— Highlights —

(5:56) The Good Ancestor: How To Think Long Term in a Short Term World. Why did this book emerge?

(6:20) We are currently living in an age of The Tyranny of the Now.

(7:01) How long is long term thinking?

(8:20) Tug of war between the short-term part of our brains versus the long-term part of our brains

(9:42) Humankind has colonized the future - WOW

(11:45) We must extend our moral circle so it includes future generations. We must extend our social circle not just across space, but through time - Roman Krznaric

(13:22) It never once occurred to me that we disenfranchise future generations in the same way that women and slaves have been  disenfranchised throughout history -Roman Krznaric

(16:00) The sense of wonder when thinking about future generations.

(17:03) Is knowledge of the future a contradiction by definition?

(18:15) Being a Good Ancestor means passing on a planet that is fit for all life. 

(18:50) Thinking Long-Term means falling in love, once again, with the ecosystems we inhabit.

(21:42) Creating an economy that stays within the boundaries of the living world.

(25:15) Where does long term thinking lie? in our brain? Our culture? Our institutions?

(29:20) Redesigning our political institutions for the long term?

(34:20) Does Democracy Reflect Long-Term Thinking?

(39:40) Having a relationship with Earth as a sacred place.

(41:10) How can we invite the regular individual to adopt a long-term thinking mindset? What habits, values, would we need to harvest?

(42:40) We are just a moment in the great cosmic story going back thirteen billion years -- the beginning of the universe - and at least five billion years forward to the death of the sun. And I think when you have that kind of sense of who are we in relation to time, that we are just tiny, that gives you what I call "deep time humility".  - Roman Krznaric.

(47:07) Viktor Frankl's 'Man's Search For Meaning' and its importance for our path into long-term thinking.

(50:20) How to prevent nihilism while thinking on deep time.

(53:45) How would you like to be remembered by your grandchildren, and their grandchildren?

(55:00) Thinking of my future kids, their future kids and being Good Ancestors; Applying the Golden Rule with future generations, and how being a good ancestor and living a good life are not mutually exclusive but rather excellent complements.

(58:30) The Long Now Foundation.

(1:00:30) The definition of freedom is always changing.

(1:03:20) Freedom vs. Responsibility.

(1:06:40) What effect does Roman think his book, The Good Ancestor, will have in the next 200 years?