A Turning Point in the “WEIRD” World: A Call for True Systemic Change

We seem to be standing at a tipping (or have we tipped?) point for the “WEIRD” world—Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and still nominally democratic societies. These nations, with their emphasis on industrial growth and technological advancement, have driven profound change but at great ecological and social costs. It’s clear that we are, in many ways, a “trauma culture,” This trauma is woven into the very fabric of our society, manifesting in deeply ingrained power structures that, according to depth psychologist Bill Plotkin, reflect a kind of perpetual adolescence—an unwillingness to truly mature and evolve. Wholeness lies at the heart of genuine healing. Much like author and activist Joanna Macy, (I wrote about her here) who is often cited in Plotkin’s Wild Mind, he suggests that real, global change begins with each person nurturing their own sense of wholeness. This involves connecting deeply with the four core aspects of the Self and recognizing both the strengths and limitations of our inner subpersonalities. By acknowledging and developing these psychological resources within us, we can uncover the unique gift—our “soulcraft”—that each of us is meant to offer to the world.

Figures like Kamala Harris and Obama bring hope and progress in many ways, and their goals were inspiring, but despite the attempt Harris made to lead America recently, way too late in my opinion, nobody would currently be positioned to overhaul the entire system effectively and equitably. True, healthy systemic change remains elusive. (It is not lost on me that the US richest white men are going for a far more terrifying systemic change – via Project 25 or similar ideals).

The events of recent days have shed a clearer light on something a growing number of people are finally recognising: the system we live under isn’t malfunctioning; it’s functioning precisely as it was designed to. It’s part of the evolution of the planet so far. Its purpose has for many years now been to keep power centralized within a small elite – historically older white men. Today, wealth can come at a younger age and from a wider array of backgrounds, but fundamentally, the system remains steadfast in its structure, ensuring power stays concentrated at the top (elite or rich).

More people than ever are beginning to understand this reality. The challenge we now face is not to “fix” this system but to recognise that it’s functioning exactly as intended. To address the root of our problems, we need a transformation that goes far beyond incremental reforms—a complete redesign of our social and political structures that shifts power from the few to the many, respects our planet, and nurtures collective growth rather than endless profit.

As we stand at this inflection point, the question before us is whether we’ll seize this moment to build a future aligned with equity, sustainability, and true democratic values. The choice is ours, and the time is now.

This is a conversation we need to to open.

If our goal is to support complex life on Earth—to cultivate both human and non-human flourishing within a vibrant, interconnected web of life—then we need a new system. The old paradigm is crumbling, and its collapse is often painful to witness. It’s clear to many of us that the structures we’ve relied on are now sound their death-rattle, clinging desperately to outdated patterns of power and control as they crumble with devastating impact. It’s not pretty.

What’s striking, though, is that this realization has taken root among those who long for a fair, just, and sustainable world, not among the faction of society that responds to change with division or even violence. Many of us believe that a thriving human population within a thriving biosphere is not only possible but essential. And we’re seeking ways to connect, to understand, and to build bridges that can support this vision of an equitable world.

Before recent elections, those of us who thought leaders like Kamala Harris might win were discussing how we could reach out to each other and foster genuine connection. We were exploring ways to create a space where systemic change could be embraced with resilience, compassion, and openness. We wanted it to be okay—not just for those who support a more equitable society, but for everyone who envisions a world where communities thrive alongside the environment.

But alongside this movement for connection, we’ve also seen a stark contrast. A recent tweet from misogynistic, white supremicist and anti semitic Nick Fuentes, the far right MAGA influencer, recently read, “Your body, my choice” and reveals the opposite mindset—a disturbing desire for control rather than collaboration, for domination rather than shared stewardship. This has in the last few days led to an increase in the number of attacks on women in the U.S.

At this inflection point, the choice before us is clear. Will we move forward by building systems that uplift all forms of life, or will we allow the remnants of the old, self-centered structures to dictate our future? If we want a future of shared responsibility and care, now is the time to choose it and to join together in creating it.

As we watch the foundations of our old system crack, including the erosion of democracy itself, it becomes clear that clinging to the past is holding us back. The sooner we release our desire to return to “the way things were,” the sooner we can focus our energy on building something genuinely new.

Even if leaders like Kamala Harris had won, we’d likely still see many of the same destructive practices—bombing, fracking, deforestation—that strip the Earth of its resources and threaten our shared future. These are deep-seated, systemic issues that no single leader can fully overturn without a broader commitment to transformative change. This applies equally here in the UK as the government disappoint its electorate.

We are in the process of wiping ourselves out through ecological and climate disaster.

What is left for us to do? What can we shape from where we are now?

All that is left is to build communities, find purpose and passion. Find what brings us allive and thrive and join together with others who do the same things. Join a local choir, make art with friends, form a reading or support group online, write bad poetry, join a gardening group or a waste ground revival group, help a neighbour, make tea for three friends, collect rubbish out in the world together and dispose of it appropriately (I mean that metaphorically as well as literally). Where do we find healthy joy in simple things? Where are we in the web of life and how can we keep it intact, repairing, re-spinning and shaping its form into one which places joy, aliveness and thriving at its heart? Connect with others in the web and work to include those who are marginalised.

Let’s step beyond the immature grasping and desiring of ‘stuff’ and ‘power to get stuff’ and attempt a paradigm shift together, beyond the understanding of those rich, white men. Let’s make a bid for a more feminine approach centering care, friendship and joy in whatever small way we can. Bind together locally and through the technology we have now to unite more widely.

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Go out, be in the world, love it and tell about it.

A bientôt,

Clare