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The New Social Order!

Date
October 11, 2023
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A Critical Examination about a New Concept called The Inner Development Goals

In his article, Jacob Nordangård a Swedish researcher, author, lecturer, and musician. Ph.D. in Technology and Social Change at Linköping University. Master of Social Science in Geography, and Master of Social Science in Culture and Media Production discusses his critique of the Inner Development Goals. Here are his main criticisms:

  1. Criticisms of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs):
    • The IDGs, initiated by Thomas Björkman and his Ekskäret Foundation, aim for the development of skills and qualities for inner growth. However, they are critiqued for potentially employing social engineering and psychological manipulation to align people’s mindsets with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
    • The concept encourages collective intelligence and adherence to a unified cultural software, which might leave limited room for individual and independent thinking.
  2. Comparison with Historical Movements:
    • Björkman's initiatives and ideas have been compared to previous movements and organizations, including the American Aspen Institute and Ervin László’s Club of Budapest. Some parallels are drawn regarding their objectives, methods, and in the formation of global cultural consciousness.
  3. Potential Political and Philosophical Influence:
    • The IDGs might have been influenced by various philosophical and political ideologies and thinkers, like Goethe and Schiller, and has been critiqued for potentially fostering a form of ideological indoctrination.
    • There’s a critique about potentially creating “agents of change” while alleging not to be politically indoctrinating.
  4. Skepticism regarding Objectivity and Impartiality:
    • Critics are skeptical about the real-world application and impartiality of such a program, pointing out that while it aims to help individuals “find themselves,” it may simultaneously guide them in a predefined direction, impacting free thought.
    • Some statements, like those concerning surrendering to the idea of being underdeveloped and the necessity of raising our consciousness under guidance, are viewed as potentially cult-like.
  5. Associations and Support:
    • The project, having support from major corporations like Google, Ericsson, and IKEA, and advisories from universities like Harvard and MIT, raises questions about its extensive influence and potential global impact.
    • Critics wonder about the intent and outcome of such gatherings and the alignment of large, influential corporations and academic institutions with the IDGs.
  6. Conflation with Environmental Urgency:
    • There are claims that the IDG and its proponents are using the urgent narrative of environmental crises (like those presented by figures like Johan Rockström) to promote and validate their agenda, provoking questions about the genuine nature and ultimate goals of such an initiative.

In summary, while the Inner Development Goals project purports to foster inner growth and address global challenges, critics are apprehensive about its methodologies, influences, and the potential manipulative fostering of a particular mindset among its participants and society at large.

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