You Say You Want a Revolution?

A few days after Christmas I saw two films on consecutive days , both of which are guaranteed to get a rise out of you: The Big Short, based on the best-selling book by Michael Lewis about the financial collapse of 2008; and Michael Moore’s new documentary, Where to Invade Next, about more humane and civilized ways to live than how life is experienced here in the U.S.

These two films, individually and in tandem, could spark people into doing something powerful: changing their lives, taking action about injustice, or even fomenting a revolution.

When I say revolution, I’m not talking about storming the gates – I’m talking about a Quantum Revolution.

A Quantum Revolution: one in which we create a more holistic, sustainable and enlightened world.

And the exciting thing is that in the movie Where to Invade Next, the blueprint for this world is laid out in front of us. It shows the civilized and humane approaches that various countries take to insure that its citizens are happy, healthy, sane, well-educated, and prosperous. And it discusses that many of the approaches that these countries have originated in the U.S.

So where have we gone wrong? Why have we become such a sick country – physically (we may be the unhealthiest country on the planet, and we have the most expensive health care system); emotionally (the level of depression and anxiety is through the roof, and antidepressant drugs are the most prescribed medications in the U.S.); and spiritually (where is the love, compassion, tolerance and concern for the greater good?)

Ultimately, to change the world, to create a Quantum Revolution, we need to change the way people think. We need to move past hate and move into being a more loving, compassionate people who place the emphasis first and foremost on the greater good.

As both The Big Short and Where to Invade Next point out, after the financial collapse, in the U.S. none of the people responsible went to jail, whereas in Iceland, a great majority of the bankers went to jail. As well as they should have, as it was their recklessness and greed that caused the collapse and the immense suffering that ensued.

In the Beatles song Revolution, the video of which you can see above, there are two sets of lyrics that stand out in my mind as the key to creating the Quantum Revolution:

1. “But if you want money for people with minds that hate
   All I can tell you is brother you have to wait”
2. “You say you’ll change the constitution
   Well, you know
   We all want to change your head
   You tell me it’s the institution
   Well, you know
   You’d better free your mind instead”

In other words, the Quantum Revolution cannot occur if we are attempting to change the world with hate in our hearts; and we need to free our minds to develop the expansiveness of thinking and behavior patterns in order to envision and bring to fruition what this new world will look like.

We can create this new world if we want to. So, you say you want a Revolution?