Do We Need Institutions? - Bonnitta Roy

Summary

The video script discusses the impact of institutionalization on human relationships and the relevance of institutions in today's society, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It raises questions about the necessity of institutions and the potential for a shift towards technology and community-based alternatives. The script also touches on the human desire for connection and autonomy, the challenges of returning to pre-pandemic routines, and the importance of understanding complex adaptive systems to avoid escalating complexity in our responses to global issues.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The script discusses the impact of institutionalized systems and their impersonal nature on human relationships and societal issues.
• 🏢 It highlights the inherent risks of institutions due to their 'one size fits all' approach and the lack of personal touch in their operations.
• 🌐 The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the constructed nature of institutions and questioned their relevance in modern times.
• 💡 The script raises the question of whether we need institutions and suggests that perhaps technology and community-focused solutions could be alternatives.
• 🏙️ It speculates on the possibility of a post-pandemic world where traditional office spaces may remain unoccupied, leading to changes in urban life and economic opportunities.
• 🔄 The discussion points out that the pandemic has forced a reevaluation of work-life balance and the importance of autonomy and personal reflection.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The script mentions how the experience of lockdown has led to a desire for more family time and a reassessment of the value of traditional work.
• 🎭 It describes the return to work as potentially more challenging than the lockdown due to the changed perspectives on the importance and meaning of work.
• 💥 The script touches on the energy and potential for conflict in the workplace as a way for the human system to create meaning.
• 🌟 It suggests that complex adaptive systems thinking is crucial in understanding and managing the unpredictability of societal and organizational changes.
• 🎁 The script ends with a promotion for the Future Thinkers community, offering resources for personal growth and understanding of the changing world.

Q & A

What is the main issue being discussed in the script regarding the current protests?

The main issue discussed is the problem of institutionalized patterns of relationship and the lack of human connection within large institutions, which are seen as problematic due to their 'one size fits all' approach and lack of personal touch.

How does the script describe the inherent risk with institutions?

The script describes the inherent risk with institutions as being that they operate on automatic without heart or mind, leading to a disconnection from what truly matters to a human being.

What does the script suggest about the relevance of institutions in the current era?

The script suggests questioning the relevance of institutions today, especially in light of the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced people to stay away from these institutions.

What alternative to institutions is suggested in the script?

The script does not provide a specific alternative but encourages the audience to think about why we need institutions and whether they are still necessary in the modern world.

How does the script relate the COVID-19 pandemic to the reevaluation of institutions?

The script relates the pandemic to the reevaluation of institutions by pointing out that the pandemic has forced people to stay away from institutions, leading to a realization of how constructed and irrelevant they can be.

What impact could the script foresee on real estate and city life if large buildings remain unoccupied?

The script suggests that if large buildings remain unoccupied, it could lead to lower rents and increased opportunities for minority businesses, potentially revitalizing inner city life.

What is the script's perspective on the human response to returning to work after the lockdown?

The script suggests that returning to work after the lockdown might be worse than the lockdown itself for some, as they have experienced a more open schedule and autonomy, leading to a reevaluation of their work and life.

How does the script relate the experience of isolation during the pandemic to the human desire for connection?

The script relates the experience of isolation to the human desire for connection by noting that the lockdown has made people want to get out of their homes and congregate in less protected spaces, showing a natural human tendency to seek connection.

What does the script suggest about the nature of complex adaptive systems and their response to strategies?

The script suggests that complex adaptive systems, like the coronavirus, respond to strategies by becoming more complex, and that our traditional approaches may escalate complexity rather than resolve it.

What is the script's stance on the idea of controlling complex adaptive systems?

The script's stance is that trying to control complex adaptive systems is fallacious, as these systems have a tendency to evolve and adapt in ways that our strategies cannot predict or control.

What opportunity does the script present for rethinking our approach to systems and complexity?

The script presents the opportunity to develop a new understanding of systems that does not lead to escalating complexity, suggesting that we need to be open to new ways of thinking about these systems.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Reflections on Institutional Relevance and Post-Pandemic Changes

The speaker contemplates the role and relevance of institutions in the context of recent protests and the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss how institutions, often characterized by a lack of personal connection and a 'one size fits all' approach, may not align with human values. The pandemic has exposed the constructed nature of these systems and prompted a reevaluation of their necessity. The speaker raises the question of whether we need institutions at all, suggesting that technological advancements could replace the need for physical infrastructures. They also touch on the potential for revitalization in urban areas if large buildings remain unoccupied, leading to lower rents and opportunities for minority businesses. The speaker highlights the disruption and the need for reimagining societal structures in the face of change.

05:00

🏠 Adjusting to a New Normal: Work, Autonomy, and Human Dynamics

This paragraph delves into the personal and societal shifts brought about by the pandemic, particularly the change in work dynamics and the newfound autonomy people experienced. The speaker notes how the lockdown has led individuals to reassess their careers and the meaning they derive from their work, often realizing the superficiality of their previous perceptions. The paragraph also touches on the human tendency to create drama in the workplace as a means of finding meaning. The speaker observes changes in behavior, such as increased aggression in children, possibly as a result of pent-up energy during isolation. They conclude by discussing the futility of trying to control complex adaptive systems, using the coronavirus as an example, and the need for a new understanding of systems that does not escalate complexity. The paragraph ends with a promotional message for the Future Thinkers community and its offerings.

Keywords

💡Protests

Protests refer to public demonstrations against perceived injustices or issues. In the video, they are linked to the critique of institutions and their systemic problems, suggesting a human desire for change and a reevaluation of established norms. The script mentions how the issues brought out by protests are about 'institutionalized patterns of relationship,' indicating a collective pushback against authoritative or bureaucratic structures.

💡Institutionalized

Institutionalized refers to practices or patterns that are deeply embedded within an organization or society. The video discusses how problems arise when human interactions are replaced by institutional ones, leading to a lack of personal connection and a 'one size fits all' approach that may not address individual needs. The term is used to critique the impersonal nature of large systems and their impact on human relations.

💡Authority

Authority in this context denotes the power or right to give orders, make decisions, or enforce obedience. The script suggests that authority's relationship with humans can be problematic when it becomes the dominant mode of interaction within institutions, overshadowing personal connections and leading to a sense of detachment and dissatisfaction.

💡Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy refers to a system of administration characterized by hierarchy, rules, and regulations. The video script uses the term to highlight the potential inefficiencies and dehumanizing aspects of institutional life, where processes become more important than people, leading to a sense of frustration and the desire for change.

💡COVID-19 (Kovat)

COVID-19, referred to as 'Kovat' in the script, is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The pandemic is mentioned as a catalyst for change, forcing people to distance from institutions and reconsider their relevance. It has led to a shift in how people view their work and social structures, prompting a reevaluation of what is truly important in life.

💡Isolation

Isolation in the video refers to the state of being separated from others, which has been a significant aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The script discusses how this isolation has made people realize the constructed nature of institutions and the desire for more meaningful human connections, as opposed to the impersonal interactions often found in institutional settings.

💡Infrastructure

Infrastructure refers to the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. The video raises the question of whether it is more efficient to continue investing in traditional infrastructure, such as real estate and transportation systems, or to shift focus to technological solutions that could reduce the need for physical presence in institutions.

💡Complex Adaptive Systems

Complex adaptive systems are systems made up of many interacting parts that can adapt and change as they respond to their environment. The script mentions this concept to describe how systems like institutions and even viruses evolve and respond to changes, and how attempts to control them can lead to unintended consequences and increased complexity.

💡Disruption

Disruption in the video context refers to a radical change or breakdown in expected patterns or systems. It is associated with the potential for both positive and negative outcomes, as seen in the shift to remote work and the reevaluation of institutional relevance. Disruption is presented as a catalyst for rethinking traditional structures and exploring new possibilities.

💡Autonomy

Autonomy is the right or ability to self-govern or make decisions without external influence. The script highlights how the experience of working from home during the pandemic has given people a taste of autonomy, leading to a desire for more flexibility and control over their work and lives, which contrasts with the rigidity often found in institutional settings.

💡Darwinian

Darwinian refers to the theory of evolution by natural selection, proposed by Charles Darwin. In the video, it is used metaphorically to describe the adaptation and competition seen in complex systems, such as the development of new viruses and the human response to them, as well as the struggle for survival and dominance in social and economic systems.

Highlights

Discussion on the nature of protests highlighting institutionalized patterns of relationship.

The problem with institutions being 'one size fits all' and lacking personal connection.

Institutional performance issues due to their large, bureaucratic nature.

The inherent risk of institutions operating on automatic without a human touch.

Covid-19's impact on revealing the constructed and irrelevant aspects of institutions.

Questioning the necessity and relevance of institutions in the modern era.

Speculation on the future of large institutions like real estate firms post-pandemic.

The possibility of a shift towards technology-based infrastructure instead of physical spaces.

The potential for revitalization and opportunity in minority businesses if institutions change.

The psychological impact of returning to work after experiencing lockdown.

The change in perspective on work importance after a period of isolation.

The natural arising of energy and drama in the workplace due to human interaction.

The idea of complex adaptive systems and their unpredictability in response to strategies.

The fallacy of trying to control complex systems and the need for a new understanding.

The advertisement for the Future Thinkers Members Portal and its offerings.

Invitation to join the Future Thinkers community for cognitive upgrades and adaptability.

Details on how to enter the Future Thinkers giveaway for a chance to win community membership.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Applause]

now thinking about that actually I

really wonder about these protests that

are happening because a lot of them the

the problem that they're bringing out is

about institutions and institutionalized

patterns of relationship and it seems

that the problem is because it's

institutionalized

it's not human relating to human is

Authority relating to human yeah or even

bureaucratic kind of institutions you

know they're it's it's the whole bet on

institutional performance that is is is

problematic one size fits all you know

institutions are great big huge things

so we're not talking about the

institution that is the bread store or

something you know we're talking about

huge systems that you know the funny

thing about an institution the funny

thing about institutional life is going

to tag with your aunt story but in a

funny way is that people can enter an

institution do very little like have a

job and the effects are very

powerful and this is yeah so this is a

built-in inherent risk with institutions

because there's no heart there's no

heart or mind there in many cases things

are just on automatic and I think one of

the things about the kovat is that we've

all been we have to stay away from our

institutions and people are starting it

doesn't take much to start to see how

constructed they are how irrelevant they

are to what is matters to a human being

you know and so that's an interesting

phenomenon what's the alternative to

institutions that's an that's a that's a

great question that's a great

for a community to to think about why do

we need institutions you know you can go

into those why's why do we even have

institutions maybe we needed them before

we had been in that maybe we needed them

during the industrial area maybe they

were relevant then are they relevant

today I start to ask that question you

don't even you know a lot of things are

possible today like all these big real

estate buildings and all those big you

know firms in New York City literally

they could never be occupied again we

literally have that chance what's easier

is it easier to boot up that again and

have them ready take the train and all

this stuff or is it easier just to spend

like a lot of infrastructure dollars on

technology so you don't to do that again

like these are choices these are choices

that are out there if if those big

buildings are not reoccupied then inner

city life will be the rents would be

much lower the opportunity force for

let's say black or minority business

would would be larger there could be a

revitalization there's so much

possibility in making just that one

choice you know and of course I'm not

saying one person shouldn't make that

choice but maybe there's many many

executives that are making that choice

and that's kind of an interesting place

to be standing now it's going to come

with disruption and disruption causes

these energy and just some local winners

and losers before but um yeah it's it's

at least you know kind of an interesting

experiment yeah one of the things I've

noticed with kovin is the kind of

anticipation of being out of work and

being at home all the time and kind of

the idea

like that isolation and closing in of

the world and then as things kind of go

back to normal

well at least in British Columbia

because they've been able to flatten the

curve quite a lot so they're unlocking a

lot I've noticed family and friends

going back to work and back to the old

way that's worse than the lockdown was

because they've had this exposure of

like more of an open schedule and more

autonomy to reflect reconnect this

family yeah yes that's a good point

because you know a lot of people do that

like it's once you've been if you've got

your career and you've been out of like

your career for a long time and there

are you go back now you can't see it the

way you saw it before now like you start

you start to see what it really is you

know like that little movie that's been

playing in your head like oh I've got a

big task and like I'm doing important

work it's not there anymore and you just

like walk in and you're like this is

crazy like this is like

crazy and you look at how you use your

time and it's just it's just I mean one

of the reasons why there's so much drama

in the workplace people are born yeah

it's just you know so then there's just

there's this natural arising of energy

to go and poke at someone or to

with someone and then that gets like and

then you got your deadlines and then and

then it actually is a way for the human

system to create meaning inside the

workplace and if you if you have the

good fortune one day of noticing that

when you walk into work it's like being

on a drugs you're like what you know

like you can't make any meaning out of

what's going on anymore

because you're not running that fantasy

in your head yeah I know that myself for

sure and it's been funny watching Alex

our son kind of like he's still pretty

young but you can see him get bored and

then start smashing things and getting

more and more violent and that's also

you know

of the the riots you know the energy has

to go somewhere and I like some of them

protests in the right in the right

states state of mind you know they

started to sing and dance when you see

it kind of like it kind of like releases

the energy also you know it's not

appropriate in every situation but some

of them have turned into almost like

people just want to be out there with

other people or something you know is if

this lockdown and isolation is making us

wanna get out of the house the exact way

these complex systems work so you know

you have more people congregating in

more less protected spaces faster than

maybe what happened before we don't know

but it just shows you the fallacy of

trying to control these things the way

we nor ordinarily have gone about things

and complex adaptive systems thinking I

tell my or when I when I coach managers

and like never try to strategize your

employees because they're smart to so

you didn't try to strategize them and it

goes underground you got all these other

games and this and that so this is why

complex adaptive thinking always

escalates complexity you know so the

corona virus virus is a perfect example

you know we adapt to them by vaccinating

and then they're going to get more

complex and then there's a pesticide

same thing there in the Darwinian

attitude is in the way we frame

complexity and in our response and the

question is can we come up with a

understanding of systems that doesn't

lead us to that response it doesn't

escalate the complexity now this is a

hole in our toolkit we don't know of one

but I think there

so it's interesting kind of or being

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[Music]