Thanks to Shefaly, I saw this excellent video on Aeon about “outrospection.” As opposed to discovering who we are and what we do in this world by looking inwards (introspection), “outrospection” is about discovering it through cognitive empathy – consciously looking to understand the perspectives of others, and going beyond the labels we might have made for them. The idea is that outrospection is the ask of the times we live in, and not introspection.
I quite disagree with that either-or view, and think both have their place in this era. They both work in tandem. For example, to let go of my prejudices, I’d have to understand why they exist in the first place and then proceed to change my perspective. Here outrospection follows introspection. Once I let go of my biases and listen more objectively, my worldview and my view of myself starts shifting again. In this case, introspection follows outrospection. As Lao Tzu says,
That being said, I fully agree that there never has been a better time to cultivate empathy and outrospection, simply because the internet has just exploded the ways in which we can communicate with each other, and organise. The entire idea of institutional realignment and the changing role of the organisation/corporation is rooted in that.
That’s why I found Kickstarter PBC so heartening. At the end of this post on Venture Beat on this subject, I read about the pamphlet that Kickstarter gives its employees on their joining, and the part of it that says “..f*** the monoculture”. Monoculture, as per Kickstarter is this – “It’s just the same-same, the world that gets created — everyone is trying to optimize for money,” Strickler explained. “Monoculture is a world of chains and banks and every top 40 hit written by the same four people. We all need to fight for a more diverse culture.”
I think, there is a lesson in it for corporations – both old and new. To go beyond the tyranny of the monoculture and intro/outrospect their place in the world, one that goes beyond profits and shareholder value. To take the lead in societal reconciliations and build a sustainable future for themselves and their workforce. If they do, then they will continue to be the institution and the algorithm, a tool. (context) Just the way technology should be. That, will be, a “nice start“.