Jeremy Rifkin - The Empathic Civilisation

Bestselling author, political adviser and social and ethical prophet Jeremy Rifkin investigates the evolution of empathy and the profound ways that it has shaped our development and our society.

[triathlete]

I actually stood up and clapped at home. Brilliant brilliant speech Mr Rifkin. I'm truly inspired to make conscious, globally empathetic changes and I now have hope for the survival of our biosphere. Let's make this happen! Thanks to the RSA for sharing

[TheSoundscapePoet]

This is one of the most outstanding and brilliant talks I've ever heard. Just thinking about the evolution of empathy makes me feel connected to the entire human race.

[jungian]

" If we do live in a participatory world and our very bodily experience is one of continuous engagement with others, then empathy becomes the means by which we enter deeply into each others lives."
I can't get enough of Mr. Rifkin's book :)

[Pillowpants]

The best and most important 50 minute lecture I've ever heard. First I watched the animated excerpt. Now this. And now I want to know even more. Did he write a book that discusses this in more detail?

[Nonduality]

Intelligent, deep, serious, a conversation worth listening to, essential to be known immediately!!!!

[eccemarco]

great speech. I saw another presentation on youtube from Rifkin introducing the same book and found it really inspiring. I will share it.

[MrYogibear]

Rifkin has helped me understand our humanity better and I am deepy grateful for this. My worry is the focus on Western Civilisation as the centre of the empathetic movement. He mentions other civilisations only in passing. When talking of extending empathy, he talks of women getting the vote, then empathy to people of colour, then to those of different sexual orientations, etc. The centre of the discourse seems to be the white, Western male. Please correct me if I have misunderstood.

[pablobarroso]

Well said, we need to educate ourselves in awareness and systemic thinking. Welcome to the 21 st century.

[Elle-Jay-Dee]

27:20 great way of explaining this...the "Nation state" - how we all become/feel like the 'same tribe'...just like when communists and socialists call each other "brother and sister" - this is a brilliant talk!!

[buhedwen]

As for #2 cause of global warning - beef etc. - they do say eating habits are the last thing people will give up? Well it does amaze me how people are so stuck in their eating habits that nation leaders dare not suggest that beef consumption should be significantly reduced. Then again, many deny global warming as a serious threat to begin with so why would they bother reducing meat intake. *sigh* 

[Hakkology]

There is one type of emphaty that's going to be our end sir,
"Customer rights"
I mean srsly, what kind of civilization would give rights to its customers when the world is about to deplenish ? What kind of civilization would encourage its people to consume ?

It was a lovely speech, really enlightening. Thank you for sharing this video.

[oooodaxteroooo]

"we have to think about ourselves as a big family." here's where he is with the german philosopher richard david precht. problem is - humans arent used to big families. it takes a lot more than energysharing and a talk that reminds us we are not alone on this planet to make it really happen.

[davefroman]

Empathy is not rooted in mortality. It is our natural social tendency that is responsible. It has nothing to do with death or fear. We desire happiness, security, and fulfillment. Thus when we see others struggling we feel empathy for them because we wish others to have what we desire as well.

[Moodzulu]

I am in love with Jeremy Rifkin. Jeremy I love you like I love Jacque Fresco and the Venus Project. You must meet Jacque Fresco. You are making me very very happy.
At last we have all the keys to our very near future evolution, we are going to EVOL ...VE

[Elle-Jay-Dee]

1 world - this Internet and social networking is helping us all to connect globally and empathise as a human race, :)

[heckyes]

How can this only have 37, 000 views!

We're not going to make it as a species are we :'(!

[rpm]

I try to share these ideas with everyone I know.

[rhYT]

In southern california, solar panels on roofs don't pay back for 15 years, & the solar cells lose efficiency over time. Also, if not regularly cleaned, efficiency drops further. But note that a roof of solar cells will not completely power the typical home. Only the sun belt states in the USA have this limited potential. It is not thought that solar cell efficiency will rise much based on limits of silicon. We must be sober about current alternative energy sources.

[shoemanroyale]

this is the most sense I have heard in a while

[rhYT]

Yet more on the importance of knowing some stuff: few need a supercomputer. the internet is too slow relative to local processor-to-memory transfer. cloud computing applications only make sense if they offer such amazing features that one could not afford to buy the software. And cloud applications charge for use - where is that money coming from, except via some use of energy resources. So it is probably wise to own the software and use it locally, and turn off the puter when not using it.