WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:03.020 Welcome back to the Diplomacy and Discourse channel. 00:00:03.240 --> 00:00:06.599 I'm your host, AR. And today we're diving into 00:00:06.599 --> 00:00:09.380 part two of our discussion on tackling wicked 00:00:09.380 --> 00:00:12.300 problems and the innovative approaches required 00:00:12.300 --> 00:00:16.019 to address them. Last time we explored systems 00:00:16.019 --> 00:00:19.300 thinking and its role in addressing the complexities 00:00:19.300 --> 00:00:23.260 of wicked problems. We also delved into the characteristics 00:00:23.260 --> 00:00:25.899 of these global issues and their implications 00:00:25.899 --> 00:00:30.100 for policy and society. In this episode, we'll 00:00:30.100 --> 00:00:33.299 transition into how design thinking complements 00:00:33.299 --> 00:00:36.619 systems thinking, along with real -world examples 00:00:36.619 --> 00:00:39.460 of how these approaches have shaped responses 00:00:39.460 --> 00:00:44.320 to complex global challenges. So just to recap, 00:00:45.140 --> 00:00:47.840 systems thinking looks at the bigger picture. 00:00:48.259 --> 00:00:51.020 It considers how different parts of a system 00:00:51.020 --> 00:00:54.659 interact and influence each other. It focuses 00:00:54.659 --> 00:00:59.119 on understanding the relationships feedback loops, 00:00:59.500 --> 00:01:03.140 and dynamics within a system, with the aim of 00:01:03.140 --> 00:01:06.819 finding effective solutions. But on the flip 00:01:06.819 --> 00:01:09.840 side, we have design thinking. Design thinking 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:12.400 is a human -centered approach to problem solving. 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:16.400 It involves understanding users' needs and perspectives, 00:01:16.780 --> 00:01:20.719 generating creative ideas, and prototyping and 00:01:20.719 --> 00:01:25.239 testing potential solutions. Design thinking 00:01:25.239 --> 00:01:29.620 emphasizes empathy, experimentation, and iteration 00:01:29.620 --> 00:01:33.060 to create innovative and user -friendly solutions. 00:01:34.579 --> 00:01:38.340 It can connect people and inspire creative ideas, 00:01:38.840 --> 00:01:41.700 and hopefully bring more innovative solutions 00:01:41.700 --> 00:01:45.859 to the world. While both systems thinking and 00:01:45.859 --> 00:01:48.599 design thinking involve holistic approaches to 00:01:48.599 --> 00:01:51.319 problem solving, they differ in their specific 00:01:51.319 --> 00:01:55.439 focus and methodology. Systems thinking focuses 00:01:55.439 --> 00:01:59.659 on systems interconnectedness and complexity, 00:02:00.239 --> 00:02:03.859 while design thinking emphasizes user -centered 00:02:03.859 --> 00:02:08.580 design and inventive problem solving. Design 00:02:08.580 --> 00:02:12.539 thinking was not mentioned before as it is a 00:02:12.539 --> 00:02:15.400 more recent approach to problem solving, which 00:02:15.400 --> 00:02:19.319 has only recently gained popularity. It emphasizes 00:02:19.319 --> 00:02:21.699 a user -centered approach to problem solving 00:02:21.870 --> 00:02:24.930 which can be a more effective way to solve wicked 00:02:24.930 --> 00:02:28.310 problems that are too complex to solve with traditional 00:02:28.310 --> 00:02:33.030 methods. By understanding users' needs and perspectives, 00:02:33.590 --> 00:02:36.669 generating creative ideas and prototyping and 00:02:36.669 --> 00:02:39.169 testing potential solutions, design thinking 00:02:39.169 --> 00:02:43.389 can help to reduce, persuade, protrude, and orient 00:02:43.389 --> 00:02:46.930 wicked problems. By blending systems thinking 00:02:46.930 --> 00:02:49.819 with design thinking, it is possible to gain 00:02:49.819 --> 00:02:52.460 a more comprehensive view of the problem and 00:02:52.460 --> 00:02:57.099 develop creative and innovative solutions. It's 00:02:57.099 --> 00:02:59.539 pretty clear that the Contemporary Democratic 00:02:59.539 --> 00:03:03.199 Organization is incapable of dealing with a series 00:03:03.199 --> 00:03:05.639 of wicked problems that are crucial to the functioning 00:03:05.639 --> 00:03:09.520 of democracy. These issues include a lack of 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:12.939 transparency and accountability, as well as unequal 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:16.259 distribution of resources and increasing polarization 00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:20.620 within society. All of these have weakened the 00:03:20.620 --> 00:03:24.159 public trust in the democratic institutions and 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:27.379 the processes, making it difficult for democracies 00:03:27.379 --> 00:03:30.039 to effectively address the problems they face. 00:03:31.819 --> 00:03:36.199 To emphasize again, wicked problems have fragmentary, 00:03:36.539 --> 00:03:39.800 antithetical, and varying standards. Solutions 00:03:39.800 --> 00:03:43.599 are often difficult to identify and discern due 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:47.659 to naughty interdependencies. While attempting 00:03:47.659 --> 00:03:51.020 to remedy a wicked problem, the elimination of 00:03:51.020 --> 00:03:53.719 one of its elements may reveal or produce another, 00:03:54.099 --> 00:03:58.599 even more complex dilemmas. The obscurities of 00:03:58.599 --> 00:04:02.580 wicked problems challenge linear thinking, reductionism, 00:04:03.180 --> 00:04:06.659 and professional education. Foreign policy has 00:04:06.659 --> 00:04:10.180 provided some notable instances. For example, 00:04:10.520 --> 00:04:13.099 a foreign policy decision to deploy troops to 00:04:13.099 --> 00:04:16.660 a certain region may be seen as a solution to 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:20.259 a particular problem, but this could create a 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:23.600 variety of unintended consequences that could 00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:27.100 further complicate the situation and create new, 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:32.379 more complex problems. Every foreign intrusion 00:04:32.379 --> 00:04:35.740 in the Middle East by the West since the invasion 00:04:35.740 --> 00:04:40.360 of Gallipoli in April 1915, with the oftentimes 00:04:40.360 --> 00:04:43.639 disputed exception of Israel, when it was declared 00:04:43.639 --> 00:04:48.180 a nation in 1948, has been misunderstood, unsuccessful 00:04:48.180 --> 00:04:51.519 in its execution, and has fomented a new set 00:04:51.519 --> 00:04:55.759 of unanticipated problems. These interventions 00:04:55.759 --> 00:04:59.160 have destabilized the region, resulting in military 00:04:59.160 --> 00:05:02.819 coups, civil wars, and ethnic and sectarian conflicts 00:05:02.819 --> 00:05:05.800 that have cost thousands of lives and billions 00:05:05.800 --> 00:05:09.500 of dollars in destruction. Also, the interventions 00:05:09.500 --> 00:05:12.100 have often failed to address the root causes 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:15.379 of the conflicts, leading to increased radicalization 00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:20.199 and extremism in the region. This has had a ripple 00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:22.540 effect on other countries in the Middle East 00:05:22.540 --> 00:05:25.699 and beyond, with refugees fleeing to Europe and 00:05:25.699 --> 00:05:28.660 other parts of the world and the increasing presence 00:05:28.660 --> 00:05:31.899 of extremist groups like ISIS and al -Qaeda. 00:05:32.839 --> 00:05:35.399 The instability caused by these interventions 00:05:35.610 --> 00:05:38.569 has had devastating effects on the region and 00:05:38.569 --> 00:05:41.350 the world. And that's mainly because many of 00:05:41.350 --> 00:05:44.209 the interventions were primarily focused on short 00:05:44.209 --> 00:05:47.350 -term gains and not long -term solutions to the 00:05:47.350 --> 00:05:51.470 underlying issues. Some short -term gains of 00:05:51.470 --> 00:05:54.069 foreign interventions in the Middle East include 00:05:54.069 --> 00:05:58.310 gaining control of resources such as oil, establishing 00:05:58.310 --> 00:06:01.970 military bases, and curbing the influence of 00:06:01.970 --> 00:06:05.550 rival countries. As a result, the underlying 00:06:05.550 --> 00:06:08.910 issues remained unresolved and led to further 00:06:08.910 --> 00:06:12.750 radicalization of local populations and increased 00:06:12.750 --> 00:06:17.509 presence of extremist groups. To address these 00:06:17.509 --> 00:06:20.689 multifaceted issues, a comprehensive and collaborative 00:06:20.689 --> 00:06:23.509 approach is essential. Here are some strategies 00:06:23.509 --> 00:06:26.970 that could pave the way for a more stable and 00:06:26.970 --> 00:06:32.089 prosperous Middle East. The first, empower regional 00:06:32.089 --> 00:06:35.189 diplomacy. encouraging Middle Eastern nations 00:06:35.189 --> 00:06:37.810 to take the lead in resolving their own conflicts 00:06:37.810 --> 00:06:41.329 can foster more sustainable solutions. Though 00:06:41.329 --> 00:06:44.110 the Abraham Accords have shown some promises 00:06:44.110 --> 00:06:47.350 in normalizing relations between countries, as 00:06:47.350 --> 00:06:49.649 well as promote dialogue and reduce tensions, 00:06:50.290 --> 00:06:53.129 nothing can truly be resolved unless the Palestinians 00:06:53.129 --> 00:06:56.110 have their own state, Israel concedes to the 00:06:56.110 --> 00:07:00.129 international laws, and Iran reduces its tension 00:07:00.129 --> 00:07:03.930 with Israel, and vice versa. as well as Israel 00:07:03.930 --> 00:07:07.589 reducing tensions with other Middle Eastern countries. 00:07:09.089 --> 00:07:12.269 By supporting regional diplomatic efforts, external 00:07:12.269 --> 00:07:15.129 powers can play a constructive role without imposing 00:07:15.129 --> 00:07:20.589 solutions. The second is invest in economic development. 00:07:21.449 --> 00:07:25.310 Economic instability often fuels unrest. Investing 00:07:25.310 --> 00:07:28.350 in infrastructure, education, and job creation 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:31.319 can provide alternatives to extremism and foster 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:34.959 hope for the future. Programs that support entrepreneurship 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:38.480 and innovation can empower individuals and communities, 00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:43.319 reducing the appeal of radical ideologies. The 00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:47.699 third, promote inclusive governance. Inclusive 00:07:47.699 --> 00:07:50.779 political systems that represent diverse populations 00:07:50.779 --> 00:07:54.519 can mitigate feelings of marginalization, encouraging 00:07:54.519 --> 00:07:57.759 reforms that promote transparency, accountability, 00:07:58.009 --> 00:08:01.509 and citizen participation can strengthen governance 00:08:01.509 --> 00:08:05.829 and reduce the likelihood of conflict. The fourth, 00:08:06.529 --> 00:08:10.449 enhance education and counter radicalization. 00:08:10.910 --> 00:08:13.649 Education is a powerful tool against extremism. 00:08:14.009 --> 00:08:16.910 Implementing curricula that promotes critical 00:08:16.910 --> 00:08:20.490 thinking, tolerance, and civic engagement can 00:08:20.490 --> 00:08:23.529 counteract radical narratives. Additionally, 00:08:23.970 --> 00:08:26.410 community -based programs that address the root 00:08:26.410 --> 00:08:29.439 causes of radicalization can be effective in 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:33.059 preventing the spread of extremist ideologies. 00:08:33.559 --> 00:08:39.279 5. Support civil society and human rights A vibrant 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:42.059 civil society can hold governments accountable 00:08:42.059 --> 00:08:45.320 and advocate for human rights. Supporting non 00:08:45.320 --> 00:08:48.519 -governmental organizations, journalists, and 00:08:48.519 --> 00:08:51.600 activists can contribute to a more open and just 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:54.820 society. Protecting human rights is not only 00:08:54.820 --> 00:08:57.970 a moral imperative, but also essential for long 00:08:57.970 --> 00:09:03.929 -term stability. 6. Address refugee and humanitarian 00:09:03.929 --> 00:09:08.409 crises. The displacement of populations due to 00:09:08.409 --> 00:09:12.090 conflict has far -reaching implications. Providing 00:09:12.090 --> 00:09:15.230 humanitarian aid, supporting refugee resettlement, 00:09:15.690 --> 00:09:17.990 and addressing the root causes of displacement 00:09:17.990 --> 00:09:21.250 are critical components of a comprehensive strategy 00:09:21.250 --> 00:09:26.320 for regional stability. And lastly, number seven, 00:09:26.740 --> 00:09:30.299 reevaluate foreign policy approaches. External 00:09:30.299 --> 00:09:33.139 powers should reassess their strategies in the 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:36.320 Middle East, moving away from military interventions 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:39.720 toward diplomatic engagement and support for 00:09:39.720 --> 00:09:43.419 local initiatives. A focus on short -term partnerships 00:09:43.419 --> 00:09:46.600 and mutual interests can lead to more effective 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:51.169 and sustainable outcomes. Addressing the Middle 00:09:51.169 --> 00:09:54.870 East's complex challenges requires a multifaceted 00:09:54.870 --> 00:09:57.929 and collaborative approach. By empowering regional 00:09:57.929 --> 00:10:01.250 actors, investing in economic and social development, 00:10:01.710 --> 00:10:04.450 and promoting inclusive governance, there is 00:10:04.450 --> 00:10:06.850 potential to transform the region's trajectory 00:10:06.850 --> 00:10:09.629 toward a more peaceful and prosperous future. 00:10:11.389 --> 00:10:13.850 So let's talk about some of the wicked problems 00:10:13.850 --> 00:10:17.049 the world's facing right now and what might actually 00:10:17.049 --> 00:10:21.320 help move the needle. First off, terrorism. It's 00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:24.600 still a major threat that disrupts people's sense 00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:27.940 of safety all around the world. It's not just 00:10:27.940 --> 00:10:31.200 the violence, it's the ripple effects it creates, 00:10:31.700 --> 00:10:35.220 emotionally and economically. One of the real 00:10:35.220 --> 00:10:38.379 ways forward is investing in communities and 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:42.299 building trust locally. The more connected people 00:10:42.299 --> 00:10:46.080 feel, the less likely they are to fall into radical 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:50.159 networks. And globally, countries sharing intelligence 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:53.980 and coordinating efforts can go a long way. But 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:57.000 let's be honest, unless we tackle deeper root 00:10:57.000 --> 00:11:00.000 causes like poverty, broken political systems, 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:03.779 and social injustice, we are just putting out 00:11:03.779 --> 00:11:07.480 fires. Do you know about that Clash of Civilizations 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:10.320 theory? The one where cultures are supposedly 00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:13.100 doomed to collide? Yeah, that's been floating 00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:16.480 around since Huntington's theory in the 90s. 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:19.480 But while there might be real cultural tensions 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:22.620 out there, this idea oversimplifies things and 00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:25.240 often fuels division rather than helping us bridge 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:29.100 it. What we really need is more dialogue, more 00:11:29.100 --> 00:11:31.960 human to human interaction across cultures, more 00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:34.639 education that teaches kids how to think critically 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:38.480 about identity, and honestly, more shared experiences. 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:41.860 When people work together, whether it's through 00:11:41.860 --> 00:11:46.059 education, art, or business, Those imagined divisions 00:11:46.059 --> 00:11:50.340 start to look smaller. Then there's the whole 00:11:50.340 --> 00:11:53.059 political dilemma of telling the truth versus 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:56.879 winning elections. It's a tricky one. Politicians 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:59.820 often feel like they have to choose between honesty 00:11:59.820 --> 00:12:03.559 and electability. But if voters are better informed, 00:12:03.960 --> 00:12:07.000 maybe the truth wouldn't feel like such a political 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:10.139 liability. That's why things like independent 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:13.360 fact checkers and voter education campaigns matter. 00:12:13.610 --> 00:12:16.190 They give people tools to separate substance 00:12:16.190 --> 00:12:20.090 from spin. And maybe, just maybe, if we made 00:12:20.090 --> 00:12:23.149 campaign promises more transparent and held leaders 00:12:23.149 --> 00:12:26.190 accountable for keeping them, we'd see more trust 00:12:26.190 --> 00:12:30.350 in the process. Let's move on to something else 00:12:30.350 --> 00:12:33.009 that's been under fire lately, the scientific 00:12:33.009 --> 00:12:36.970 method. In a world where doing your own research 00:12:36.970 --> 00:12:40.429 sometimes just means scrolling TikTok, it's getting 00:12:40.429 --> 00:12:43.590 harder to separate fact from fiction. And that's 00:12:43.590 --> 00:12:46.250 dangerous. We've got to get back to the basics. 00:12:46.830 --> 00:12:49.690 Education systems need to reinforce critical 00:12:49.690 --> 00:12:52.330 thinking and science needs to be communicated 00:12:52.330 --> 00:12:55.429 in ways that actually make sense to the average 00:12:55.429 --> 00:12:59.029 person. We can't have policies driven by vibes. 00:12:59.570 --> 00:13:03.210 They've got to be grounded in solid, tested evidence. 00:13:04.769 --> 00:13:07.389 Speaking of vibes, how we consume information 00:13:07.389 --> 00:13:10.669 today is wild. With social media, people want 00:13:10.669 --> 00:13:13.450 news instantly. but they don't always want the 00:13:13.450 --> 00:13:16.990 whole story. The result? A false sense of knowing. 00:13:17.610 --> 00:13:20.070 People see headlines, think they got the gist, 00:13:20.330 --> 00:13:23.610 and move on. But without real context, it's easy 00:13:23.610 --> 00:13:26.389 to make poor decisions. We've gotta start teaching 00:13:26.389 --> 00:13:29.610 media literacy like it's a survival skill, because 00:13:29.610 --> 00:13:33.529 honestly, it is. Platforms should do their part 00:13:33.529 --> 00:13:37.190 too. Flagging misinformation and boosting legitimate 00:13:37.190 --> 00:13:40.700 sources. But ultimately, We've got to diversify 00:13:40.700 --> 00:13:43.320 where we are getting our information from and 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:47.840 slow down a bit before reacting. Then there's 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:50.899 the climate crisis. And man, progress has been 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:54.059 frustratingly slow. Part of the problem is that 00:13:54.059 --> 00:13:57.179 climate change is a global issue with local politics. 00:13:58.039 --> 00:14:01.000 Every country's got its own priorities and red 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:03.320 lines and it makes coming to a real agreement 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:07.539 super difficult. What might help? Actually enforcing 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:10.169 international agreements listening to the voices 00:14:10.169 --> 00:14:13.429 of smaller or more vulnerable nations, and getting 00:14:13.429 --> 00:14:16.330 everyday people more involved. Climate activism 00:14:16.330 --> 00:14:19.230 at the grassroots level can push governments 00:14:19.230 --> 00:14:23.750 to stop dragging their feet. Political debates 00:14:23.750 --> 00:14:26.169 aren't doing so hot either. Let's be honest, 00:14:26.269 --> 00:14:29.610 they have gotten pretty polarized and often more 00:14:29.610 --> 00:14:33.450 about scoring points than solving problems. That's 00:14:33.450 --> 00:14:36.720 not helping anyone. We need to bring some structure 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:40.340 and seriousness back into how we discuss politics. 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:44.299 Maybe that means better moderators, new formats 00:14:44.299 --> 00:14:48.179 or public forums where real conversations can 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:51.580 happen, not just sound bites for Twitter clips. 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:56.039 And speaking of messy political landscapes, one 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:58.740 of the biggest barriers right now is how divided 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:02.750 everything feels. Ideology often trumps evidence, 00:15:03.230 --> 00:15:06.029 and power struggles drown out collaboration. 00:15:06.769 --> 00:15:09.590 That's why bipartisan approaches matter. When 00:15:09.590 --> 00:15:12.350 leaders can find even small common ground, it 00:15:12.350 --> 00:15:15.570 can open the door to real progress. It also helps 00:15:15.570 --> 00:15:18.710 when policy makers are open to input from a variety 00:15:18.710 --> 00:15:23.710 of voices, not just the loudest ones. This brings 00:15:23.710 --> 00:15:27.669 us to the role of political elites. They hold 00:15:27.669 --> 00:15:30.919 a lot of influence, and reform isn't going anywhere 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:34.320 unless they are a part of it. The challenge is 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:37.879 getting them to buy in. Sometimes that takes 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:40.840 a little incentive, a little transparency and 00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:44.019 some collaborative platforms where they are working 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:47.100 alongside communities rather than dictating from 00:15:47.100 --> 00:15:51.200 the top down. Another piece of the puzzle is 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:54.509 the collapse of institutions. Things like churches, 00:15:55.029 --> 00:15:57.450 welfare organizations, political parties and 00:15:57.450 --> 00:16:00.769 even the military in some cases. A lot of people 00:16:00.769 --> 00:16:03.529 have just lost faith in these institutions and 00:16:03.529 --> 00:16:06.090 with tech changing how we connect, it's easy 00:16:06.090 --> 00:16:09.529 to understand why. But rebuilding trust means 00:16:09.529 --> 00:16:12.529 making these spaces relevant again. Updating 00:16:12.529 --> 00:16:15.409 them for today's values involving local communities 00:16:15.409 --> 00:16:18.750 and opening up the decision -making process could 00:16:18.750 --> 00:16:23.379 give them a second life. Of course, corruption 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:27.000 is always in the mix too. Whether it's corporate 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:30.240 lobbying, personal interests over public goods, 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:34.700 or shady backdoor deals. That stuff erodes everything. 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:38.480 Strong anti -corruption bodies, protection for 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:41.519 whistleblowers, and citizen education campaigns 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:45.460 could help tilt the scales back toward integrity. 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:50.019 Foreign affairs and defense policy haven't been 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:53.629 immune either. Short -term thinking and inconsistent 00:16:53.629 --> 00:16:57.210 goals weaken national security and global partnerships. 00:16:57.990 --> 00:17:01.370 What we need is long -term strategy, clear communication, 00:17:01.830 --> 00:17:04.950 and strong alliances. Stuff that can outlast 00:17:04.950 --> 00:17:08.089 election cycles and bring some stability back 00:17:08.089 --> 00:17:12.910 into international relations. And finally, we 00:17:12.910 --> 00:17:15.569 got to talk about how government deals with budget 00:17:15.569 --> 00:17:20.089 deficits. Relying only on cuts, selling off public 00:17:20.089 --> 00:17:23.009 assets, or borrowing without fixing the revenue 00:17:23.009 --> 00:17:26.650 side is a recipe for disaster. A more balanced 00:17:26.650 --> 00:17:30.549 approach, fair taxation, smart investments, and 00:17:30.549 --> 00:17:34.069 trimming real waste is the only way forward if 00:17:34.069 --> 00:17:37.549 we want to fund services and avoid economic crises 00:17:37.549 --> 00:17:43.089 down the line. Overcoming or addressing key barriers 00:17:43.089 --> 00:17:46.130 can be a daunting task when the nature of these 00:17:46.130 --> 00:17:49.490 barriers is inherently strained. This strain 00:17:49.490 --> 00:17:52.230 is particularly evident in the context of wicked 00:17:52.230 --> 00:17:55.789 problems, such as climate change and jihadism, 00:17:56.210 --> 00:17:59.769 which present enduring challenges. Additionally, 00:18:00.329 --> 00:18:02.890 the extended duration of political cycles and 00:18:02.890 --> 00:18:05.769 the persistent effort of corrupt dictators and 00:18:05.769 --> 00:18:09.400 officials to retain power can disrupt democratic 00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:13.680 processes. Conversely, media cycles operate within 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:16.920 much shorter timeframes, often losing interest 00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:21.720 in a story within a mere 24 hours. Reflecting 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:25.660 on the impact of the IT revolution, a significant 00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:29.319 misconception emerges. The IT revolution is the 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:32.740 rapid expansion and adoption of information technology 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:36.789 enabled by advances in computing power. as well 00:18:36.789 --> 00:18:39.490 as the growth of the internet and the emergence 00:18:39.490 --> 00:18:43.470 of mobile devices. It has led to the digitization 00:18:43.470 --> 00:18:46.789 of many aspects of life including communication, 00:18:47.329 --> 00:18:50.890 entertainment, commerce, and other areas. While 00:18:50.890 --> 00:18:53.609 many initially believed that access to innovative 00:18:53.609 --> 00:18:57.069 technology would broaden horizons and encourage 00:18:57.069 --> 00:19:00.349 the pursuit of universal long -term interests, 00:19:00.849 --> 00:19:04.789 the reality has been quite different. Technologies 00:19:04.789 --> 00:19:08.589 like the smartphone have, instead, reinforced 00:19:08.589 --> 00:19:12.269 the personal realm. Social media platforms with 00:19:12.269 --> 00:19:15.190 their emphasis on accessibility and reinforcement 00:19:15.190 --> 00:19:18.609 of existing viewpoints exemplify this shift. 00:19:19.210 --> 00:19:23.089 This casts a different light on the initial expectations 00:19:23.089 --> 00:19:27.859 surrounding technological progress. If we're 00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:30.440 going to take on these wicked problems, we really 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:33.519 need to think big picture in systems and apply 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:37.099 design thinking. We should also strive to recognize 00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:40.519 our personal shortcomings and focus on personal 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:44.160 development. This way we can become more innovative 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:47.619 and influential leaders, helping to make a positive 00:19:47.619 --> 00:19:50.809 impact on the world. Ultimately, this is the 00:19:50.809 --> 00:19:53.490 best way to work towards diminishing wicked problems 00:19:53.490 --> 00:19:56.509 and creating a more equitable and sustainable 00:19:56.509 --> 00:20:22.589 future. and approach challenges. Thank you so 00:20:22.589 --> 00:20:24.869 much for hanging out with me for this deep dive 00:20:24.869 --> 00:20:28.369 of wicked problems. As we wrap up, remember that 00:20:28.369 --> 00:20:31.630 change starts with understanding, empathy, and 00:20:31.630 --> 00:20:34.630 collective effort. Don't forget to like, subscribe, 00:20:34.789 --> 00:20:37.029 and follow the Diplomacy and Discourse channel 00:20:37.029 --> 00:20:40.130 for more episodes where we unravel complex global 00:20:40.130 --> 00:20:43.009 issues and their solutions. Catch you on the 00:20:43.009 --> 00:20:45.369 next one, stay sharp, and take care.