War and Peace in the 21st century -- the stories in our minds | Daniele Ganser | TEDxDanubia

Summary

In this TED talk, historian Csaba Lóki explores the paradox of war and peace in the 21st century, emphasizing the potential of renewable energy to reduce conflicts over resources. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from fossil fuels, highlighting our dependency and the vested interests that resist change. Lóki also critiques the role of the military and media in shaping narratives, using the example of 9/11 to illustrate the impact of war propaganda and the importance of questioning official stories.

Takeaways

• 🕊️ The speaker, a historian, emphasizes the importance of discussing peace in the 21st century, contrasting it with the typical historical focus on past events.
• 🌍 The current coexistence of war and peace in different countries is highlighted, with the ongoing war in Syria juxtaposed against the peace in Budapest where the gathering is taking place.
• 🔥 The Iraq war is cited as an example of a war for resources, specifically oil, with one million Muslims killed, suggesting that technology advancements like renewable energy could prevent such conflicts.
• 🌞 The speaker shares a personal anecdote about adopting solar energy at home and driving an electric car, advocating for renewable energy as a practical solution.
• ⚠️ A caution is issued against underestimating the difficulty of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy due to entrenched economic interests.
• 🏭 The coal industry in Germany is shown as an example of the 'old forces' resisting change, indicating that the transition to renewable energy will face significant opposition from established industries.
• 🚢 The world's daily oil consumption is quantified, illustrating the scale of our dependency on oil and the magnitude of the challenge in shifting to renewable energy.
• 💰 The economic motivations behind the coal and oil industries are underscored, suggesting that the drive for profit is a key barrier to change.
• ✈️ The military is identified as another significant challenge to peace, with historical data suggesting that military forces are not always forces for peace.
• 🗽 The American military's global presence and budget are highlighted, arguing that the U.S. plays a pivotal role in global war and peace dynamics.
• 📰 The influence of media in shaping public perception of events like 9/11 is discussed, urging the audience to critically evaluate the narratives presented by media and power brokers.

Q & A

What is the main topic the historian wants to discuss in relation to the future?

The main topic the historian wants to discuss is whether there will be more peace in the 21st century and how renewable energy might play a role in achieving that.

What is the current situation regarding war and peace around the world as mentioned in the script?

The script mentions that there is a simultaneous presence of war and peace in different countries, with an ongoing war in Syria while the gathering is taking place in peaceful Budapest.

What is the historian's personal contribution to renewable energy?

The historian has installed solar cells on his house in Switzerland and bought an electric car that he powers with solar energy, having driven it for 40,000 km.

What is the historian's view on the ease of transitioning to renewable energy?

The historian does not believe the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy will be fast or easy, due to the influence of old forces and vested interests.

What does the historian suggest about the role of the military in peace?

The historian suggests that despite the military's belief that they are a force for peace, historical data indicates otherwise, and he proposes reducing military spending.

How does the historian describe the dependency on oil and its implications?

The historian describes the dependency on oil as akin to a drug addiction, with the world taking greater risks to secure oil, including exploiting non-liquid forms like tar sands.

What is the significance of the third tower that collapsed on 9/11 according to the script?

The significance lies in the fact that World Trade Center Number 7 collapsed without being hit by a plane, which raises questions about the official narrative and suggests the need for further investigation.

What is the historian's stance on the term 'conspiracy theories' in relation to 9/11?

The historian views the term 'conspiracy theories' as a block to debate and urges the audience to go beyond it and question the narratives of power brokers.

What role does the media play according to the historian's analysis?

The media is seen as influential in shaping public perception, sometimes promoting peace and other times spreading war propaganda, which affects how we understand events like 9/11.

What does the historian suggest is the key to understanding war and peace in the 21st century?

The historian suggests that the key to understanding war and peace is to critically evaluate the stories we are told by the media and to question the narratives of those in power.

What is the importance of the passport found after 9/11 as mentioned in the script?

The importance lies in how the passport linked the Muslim world to terrorism in the public's mind, highlighting the power of media in shaping perceptions and the importance of what we have in our heads.