"When we remove freedom from people, it's a social death. We are killing them. We are killing their relatedness to the world because we are closing them off from their relations."
In today’s episode, I’m joined by a very special guest: TysonYunkaporta. He’s an Aboriginal academic, thinker, and founderof the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Lab at Deakin University in Melbourne. He is a member of the Apalech Clan from Far North Queensland, and you might know him as the author of Sand Talk, Right Story, Wrong Story, and most recently, Snake Talk. Tyson’s work centers on using Indigenous methods of inquiry to address global existential threats and develop regenerative responses to crisis.
I first read Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking CanSave the World some time ago, and it sparked a deep curiosity about Tyson’s work and the relevance of Indigenous knowledge systems to today’s global challenges. That curiosity led to this conversation, which I’m really excited to share with you. Let’s dive in.
Key Highlights
• Our thinking should be shaped by creation, not the other way around.
• Wealth isn't inherently bad, but linking it to power can be dangerous.
• The binary of good and evil oversimplifies complex realities.
• Disconnection from nature leads to a distorted understanding of our place in the world.
• Colonialism is not a thing of the past; it continues to shape our realities.
• Indigenous knowledge systems can provide valuable insights for modern challenges.
• AI has the potential to be a relational tool, not just a utility.
• Tools should be integrated into our communities and lives as relatives.
• Storytelling is a powerful way to convey complex ideas and values.
• We must learn to think like a fox to navigate our relationships and environments.
Chapters
00:00 The Wrong Side of the Story
03:01 Wealth, Power, and Freedom
05:48 The Illusion of Separation from Nature
08:11 Complexity vs. Simplicity in Human Systems
11:11 Religion and the Human-Nature Divide
14:08 Colonialism and the Narrative of Progress
16:59 Indigenous Knowledge and Modern Challenges
22:49 Creating a Complex Ecosystem of Investments
24:13 The Importance of Dialogue in Cultures
25:28 Exploring Serpent Stories and Their Wisdom
26:52 The Ten Commandments of the Serpent Law
29:10 The Connection Between Women and Snakes
32:47 Navigating Relationships with Invasive Species
34:59 The Impact of AI on Human Intellect and Community
39:42 The Role of Tools in Community and Relationships
40:38 Storytelling as a Means to Convey Wisdom
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