“I see you.”
Think about this for a
bit… “I…. see… you”. In my universe, we all take this line from
“Avatar” to heart, intentionally living up to the conceptual depth of what is
meant by really seeing another
person, understanding and mutually edifying each other's experiences... In my
universe this pleasant, enriching, fun form of Utopia has a fighting chance. In
my universe, all is possible.
But my little universe,
the one within my sphere of influence, isn’t the whole universe, unfortunately,
and thank goodness. On the unfortunate side, I am reminded daily of history
that is wrought with examples of scientific and technological innovations that
were implemented with a blind eye, with devastating effects on life. There are
also wonderful examples to the contrary, because one person stopped, “looked”
and understood, took action, who was then followed by another, then
another…both views exemplified in “Avatar,” but this is not a movie review...
This is my take on an
important aspect of the STS community. As
a new citizen, I believe that part of my training is a reshaping of the way in
which I care about others and take action, in part being trained to be, amongst
other traits, that one person that “stopped, looked, understood.” For me, the very nature of the name of CPSO’s PhD program – Human and Social
Dimension of Science and Technology… “Human Dimensions…Social Dimensions” – encompasses this idea. I
believe that I am joining a community that has as its foundation the desire to
preserve the sanctity of life in conjunction with, and maybe in spite of, the
scientific and technological advances we witness daily. I believe there is a
desire to give voice to those who can’t speak, to ask the “why this matters”
questions, to help build and shape policy, and create safe and nurturing
communities grounded in empathy and compassion.
For me, “Human
Dimensions” is inclusive of this capacity for compassion. When we – the STS
community – stop, look and ask questions, do we do this with intentional
compassion? For the most part I believe
we do, as evident to me in the good work being done in CSPO/CNS. I also believe we can always to better. Thank
you, Karen Armstrong, for providing a means by which to do better by creating
the Charter for
Compassion. Thank you, TED for acknowledging Ms. Armstrong’s work and
awarding her the TED prize to help her manifest
her “one wish to change the world.” Her
universe, TED’s universe: together, their spheres of influence already are having
their ripple effect, wherein some 38,000+ other individuals and 100+ organizations
worldwide have to-date affirmed and taken action around this ideal toward a
positive change. Wow.
If an embedded humanist
or a STS-trained social scientist had been among the decision makers in “Avatar,”
how would the story have been different? I don’t know, but I hope for the better. I want to believe stories such as this, and
stories of “might over right,” “my way only/oppressiveness” will become
obsolete. I want to believe that our own positive ripple effect of the work
done through the STS community continues to encourage people to stop and really
see each other, and change forever the way in which we may ultimately live in
harmony. Maybe by the time we create
warp drive and the Vulcans stop by to say “hi,” we have extended our concerns
and support for “human dimensions” to that of “dimensions of all life,” and
will embrace the Vulcans instead of wanting to imprison or hurt them.
Thank goodness my little
universe is not everything; it gives me room to learn from others. I believe
great things can happen, are already happening. Thank you, STS community, for
showing me a different way to “stop and look” and shape the way I may manifest
my own “one wish to change the world.”
On the heels of
Valentine’s Day, I encourage you to reflect on the compassionate nature of the
work you do, and to share those stories with the rest of our community so we may
all be inspired, so we may all find our own, unique way to say “I see you” and
really mean it.
Thank you for
listening…
About the Author: Brenda Trinidad is a doctoral student in the Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology
Program.
