FALL 2020 ASU

THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY

PROJECT
CADE SPERONI
OGL 340: THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY: DIALOGUE IN THE WORKPLACE
DR. MICHAEL PRYZDIA 9 OCTOBER 2020

Total Word Count: 2458 words

 Part One: Seven Questions for Consideration

1. How can we integrate suspension and abandon assumptions when deciding between long term
decisions and reactive decisions? Can the conversations be had for a quick, reactive decision, while still
having a dialogue? Does thing bring more problems or more benefits?

2. What is the benefit of identifying a dialogues short term and long-term outcomes without
assumptions?

3. How can we continue to develop from our experiences and further develop our proprioception
thought muscles?

4. Can we continue to have effective dialogue by abandoning all assumptions if exterior parties refuse to
do the same? Is asking yourself this question an assumption in itself? Practice proprioception of your
thoughts here.

5. Is it in our human DNA to lack proprioception of thought or are we trained by our communities and by
ourselves to neglect that muscle? Are we better off without it or will that lead us to our doom?

6. Is our thought really personal? Is thought traced easier from an exterior perspective? If so, why do
humans develop the idea that thought is personal?

7. Is to gain proprioception of thought a personal journey that never end? If it never ends how can it help
us as humans?
 Part Two: Journal Entries

1. Journal Entry: Week 1 – 27 AUG 2020

a. My first Module and first journal entry begins with the ‘What is a System’ module. We begin
by reading The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge and here is where I find out that I have
purchased the outdated version from 1990, rather than the 2006 revision. Dr. Pryzdia
provided the first section for us so I plan to just roll with that and see if between my hard
copy and the scanned sheet I can manage. There is always the internet I can refer to and
purchase a digital copy. The Fifth Discipline began much more interesting than I had original
anticipated. “The organization that will truly excel in the future will be the organization that
discover how to tap people’s commitment and capacity to learn at all levels in an
organization (Senge, 1990, p. 4)”. This quote resonates with me because of my career. Being
in the military as an aircraft mechanic continual education and improvement, to me, would
not normally be a priority for an organization. Despite that we are constantly encouraged to
take classes, utilize our military tuition assistance, and develop our skills within and external
to the military. Internally we are forced to take courses in personal management skills to be
promoted. We are tested groomed to follow a standardized system for managements,
expectations, etc. That’s the military for you! The lessons are so dry and nearly unbearable!
Although, I am beginning to see where this information is coming from. I can see how the
military prepared these courses and why since taking Organizational Leadership courses.
The Air Forces approach is what is failing them. It is so monotonous and disorganized I felt I
could not digest the information effectively. Let along be able to assimilate it to my
workplace or professional environments. Since I started takes these courses, I feel my
understanding is much more comprehensive. I look forward to referring to these books one
day and applying these teaching. Even mentoring those below me with more evidence than
just my experience. I will have actual training, education, and practical literature!

2. Journal Entry: Week 2 – 3 SEPT 2020

a. David Bohm comments “the desire to compete is not a flaw in human nature, but a
mistake”. The tone of Bohm’s comment here really sets the stage for what we have learned
 about Bohm so far. He is not a physicist to become the best, to be studied and
remembered, or to follow the intentions of any competitive human nature. I can really
appreciate the fact that Bohm is able to stand by his understand despite the initial lack of
confidence from his peers. Bohm was not confrontational about it or pushy to get others to
accept his theory. He was able to execute it well and explain it effectively that even Einstein
praised him. I have always valued the saying “If you cannot explain it simply, you do not
understand it well enough”. David Bohm seems to have had such an unorthodox take on his
profession and career progression. Has a scientist he did not take everything he was taught
as law, he studied it, thought on it and then sought to improve it himself. The Aharonov-
Bohm (AB) effect really blew my mind! I thought this discover was so simple, yet so radical. I
suppose that is why it is even disputed today. Bohm did not just study science he began to
take on a very unorthodox approach to philosophy. The way Bohm integrates his
understanding of science, space and time, and humanity is exciting and unique. Studying
what we have so far, the information is easy to accept, does not seem farfetched. Yet, it
also does not feel intuitive. Bohm comments in “Art, Dialogue, and the Implicate Order”
from On Creativity “I think the scientific and the artistic spirit have something in common
(Bohm, p. 127)”. To me this was a completely different perspective than I would have
expected from a scientist. His way of though, the way he explains his perspective atones to
his genius and achievements.

3. Journal Entry: Week 3 – 10 SEPT 2020

a. This week read chapters one and two in David Bohm’s On Dialogue as well as practice the
H.E.A.R steps to effective listening. This effective technique was designed by my current
professor and his colleague who I have also taken a course with! This was really exciting
learn a technique designed by my instructor and applied successfully to organizational
leaders to help defeat huge egos! I absorbed the H.E.A.R process is a way break down the
communication steps in a way they discourage conflict and miscommunication. At the first
you must listen without interruptions. I can imagine this being very difficult for some of us
because depending on the length of the explanations you may forget points to return to or
just get stuck thinking about that one bit of information you stop absorbing the rest of the
conversation. Your mind becomes too preoccupied by your own thought you are only
having a conversation between yourself and your own thoughts. Dr. Pryzdia mentions how
 at first one on was actually listening and not interrupting. If step one is not done properly
the active listening process falls apart. It is very difficult for people to actively listen but Dr.
Pryzdia also mentions how the speaker in step one is a little uncomfortable! I found this
very understandable but unexpected results; we are not used to someone just listening. It is
very difficult to find someone willing to just listen. Having a conversation that does not
require you to convince, sell, or pitch an idea to someone is rare. Going along side of that it
is difficult to talk to someone and they honestly disagree with you and not turn into a battle
or hostile debate. The H.E.A.R process seems to have a good foundation to allow the
discussion to give an opportunity to review what the other person said, get clarity, and then
allow a rebuttal with your own opinion. Rather than shouting facts at each other to
continuously triumph the others idea or statement.

4. Journal Entry: Week 4 – 17 SEPT 2020

a. This week we met Jiddu Krishnamurti who is regarded as one of the greatest philosophical
and spiritual figures of the twentieth century. He did this with no association to any
organization, church, religion, or even allegiance to a nationality. Krishnamurti believed that
this boundless lifestyle was the best way to transform oneself through self-knowledge.
Krishnamurti has no home and travel the world teaching this. A supplemental article from
this module mentions Krishnamurti’s work extending beyond 100 million words over 60
years of work! That is commitment, passion, and success! The path Krishnamurti took did
not promise success or infamy, especially by todays standards. The pressures of society
today push us toward the fancy cars, buying a house, starting a family, and slaving away at
the corporate job to fund the debt. Krishnamurti went against his adopted mother original
intention for him to be a world teacher for the Theosophical Society. In the end
Krishnamurti disbanded the organizations and returned all the money and property
donated for his work to pursue his work. What a powerful person, what passion to leave the
security and stability to help others and study what became his life’s work. In Krishnamurti’s
video A light to Oneself he talks about us being put to sleep. We have been put to sleep by
all the philosophers, saints, politicians, etc. because of this we are not our own light. We are
not able to be our own light, with no shadow that is not put out by circumstance or sorrow.
This enlightenment allows us to use our mind without challenge and no self. This video was
powerful for me based on what I talked about earlier in the section. The pressures of society
 put us to sleep. They confine us to conform and follow standard we are not sure why are
correct but fear the alternative. Rather than investing in ourselves, in our own minds we
invest in the ideas of other people’s minds. What to buy, what is cool, what I should do,
how to look successful to other regardless of how miserable your life can be. The weight of
debt can really enhance this, the pressure against yourself and your family cause more
divorce than any other reason. The light we follow is not our own its imaginary, are we in
the dark and are we just asleep as a society?

5. Journal Entry: Week 5 – 24 SEPT 2020

a. This week I was really moved and intrigued from Corey Anton’s video. Anton tells us about
Bohm’s teachings on observing thought. Bohm explanation of suppression and suspension
feel very powerful and wise. To be able to suppress the observation of thought feels like we
are listening and observing thought, but Bohm argues we are only adding fuel to the fire. If
someone is aware enough to say “I shouldn’t do that” or “That shouldn’t bother me” seems
more mature than a reaction or to have anger or sadness come from it. Although the way
Bohm talks about suppression this just adds to the chaos and disorders. To be able to
suspend and study the even unfold is to observe thought. Understanding and observing our
thought will teach us the power our thought has over us. I should illuminate the problems
we create and immediately try to solve through thought. Anton explains suspension as
observing thought, feelings, and reactions in a nonjudgmental way. In a way that keeps us
from getting caught up in the actual thought. I can’t help but relate this to Buddhism
wisdom or mentalities I have learned. I am not a Buddhist but after taking the religious
study course I know a little bit. Being able to observe your thought, the way it affects your
body, mind, and even soul is such a powerful thing. Controlling emotions is difficult enough
but mastering suspension would be extremely powerful and maybe an element toward
enlightenment! Either way, anyone could benefit from this but does not seem simple to do.
The concept is difficult enough to grasp but in addition that practicing proprioception of
your own thought is a skill with no master! There is no one sharing your thoughts guiding
you or reminding you. This is a very personal journey on multiple levels.
6. Journal Entry: Week 6 – 1 OCT 2020

a. Finishing up this week, everything begins to click! I feel that I can track the conversation
more completely, I feel I understand and digest the information this week in a way that
naturally mends with the earlier material. I also feel I am weaving this information into my
own thoughts and constructing it to society. Davis Bohm often talked about society but that
was during the Cold War. It is interesting how almost 59 years ago (almost to the day Oct.
6th) President Kennedy was urging American’s to build bunkers in the event of a nuclear
attack. That fact that the world was in that state must have been extremely unsettling. We
came out of that era safely but the same conversations Bohm and Krishanurti had to us
about ego and being ruled by thought still apply today. Have we not developed out ability to
suspend thought, we have not strengthened our proprioception of thought. We are being
used by our thought, rather using thought! Our society is very reactive, our ego and
assumptions muddle everything it seems. We lack trust in anyone’s opinions or thoughts
because of deceptions or our ego deems us better than them. It seems we lack the ability to
differentiate someone’s skill for downfalls, we expect everyone to be perfect. At the same
time, we don’t trust what the ‘picture perfect’ person is doing behind doors. More often
than not the truth comes to light but that’s just another assumption! If we had the
willingness to learn the power of perspective, be able to suspend our assumptions, and
strengthen the proprioception muscle of thought we might unit. Not only as a country but
as a planet. Imagine how far along we could be if we utilized all of our resources for
common goals internationally. We went to the moon 60 years ago and we are in a
technological revolutions but continue to divide and slow our efforts to global success.
7. Journal Entry: Week 7 – 8 OCT 2020

a. This week we read the short chapter “The Indivisible Whole” in Peter Senge’s The Fifth
Discipline. In this chapter we learn of astronaut Rusty Schweickart life shifting perspective
from space. He tells us of the daily visual routine of a cosmonaut; the day began above the
middle east, through the Mediterranean and North Africa, shifting around India and Eastern
Asia, finally met by our home continent. This perspective is much different than anything
relatable to here on earth. One of my first managers when I worked at the mall ventured on
a similar journey in perspective. Jared had always lived in Tucson, he went to the University
of Arizona, and was now a store manager of Hollister. Jared was savings and planning for a
while before he spontaneously did it. He quit Hollister to go on a trip around the country.
Jared had about a truck, planned on camping through most of it, and budgeted his savings.
He planned it so his apartment lease was up and he thinned out his cluttered items. I
believe he spent four months traveling, sightseeing, meeting new people, and experiencing
our homeland in a way few ever will but many dream of! Being sixteen this seemed like the
coolest idea, I always wanted to do that. I joined the military right out of high school, and
this was not the exact same result as Jared’s, but it did afford me the opportunity to see
much of the country and much of the world. When and where is not set to my will like
Jared’s situation but I have always taken full advantage of every opportunity. Spending time
around the country, and around Europe has shifted my perspective. My way of though and
understanding. My appreciation for culture has developed and excites me. Seeing the world
through your own eyes, feeling the people, tasting the food, sensing the environment
changes everything. This enlightenment cannot be truly captured through textbooks and
photos, they are most powerful through firsthand experience. Peter Senge mentions this
when talking about Rusty’s new perspective “Rusty discovered the first principles of systems
thinking. – not at a rational or intellectual level but at a level of direct experience (Senge,
1990, p.370-371)”.