The BreakThrough Newsletter

May 30, 2018

Inclusive, expansive disagreement Last week, we told you about our vision for more productive events. We believe that Achieving Disagreement enables us to move past the pre-rehearsed talking points and toward new, productive starting points. But events only happen a few times a year, with a limited audience. So how do we practice dynamic disagreement in every aspect of our work? We recently started a podcast (Breakthrough Dialogues) to better engage with ecomodernist influencers. As we navigate the hyper-polarized politics of the Trump era, we're doing our best to ask thoughtful questions, conduct inclusive research, and offer productive platforms. It's part of a larger commitment at Breakthrough to move beyond the tribalism and polarization that too often characterizes environmental thought and politics today. By conversing with some of the leading thinkers on the topics of food, energy, conservation, and climate — like-minded and not — we hope to shift from problem- to solution-driven narratives. It's been such a treat to chat with leaders we admire. We have four episodes up so far: Charles Mann on human exceptionalism, Jenny Splitter on the environmental case for feedlots, Jonathan Symons on how to ethically hack the climate, and Tisha Schuller on how working in the oil and gas sector pushed her to rethink, and reclaim, environmentalism. The people that influence us >> Emma Brush & Alex Trembath, co-hosts of the Breakthrough Dialogues, in action. What we've been listening to "Mega-Identity" Politics: Yes, identity politics is breaking our country. But it’s not identity politics as we’re used to thinking about it. Lilliana Mason talks to Ezra Klein about how little it takes to activate a sense of group identity in human beings, and how far-reaching the implications are once that group identity takes hold.  Couples Therapy: Writer Anand Giridharadas talks to Yascha Mounk about identity politics, the best way to respond to offensive questions, and how to win a lasting social peace for “the only country I have.” Political Tribes: Humans are tribal. We need to belong to groups. In this same way, politics can be tribal, too. While groups can strengthen communities, we should also be wary of groups' ability to divide us. Amy Chua speaks live at the Commonwealth Club.

Staff Corner: Tali Perelman on creating a better climate movement   I listen to podcasts constantly. It’s such a human medium. When we record the Breakthrough Dialogues, we’re present, thinking only about the people and ideas in the room at that moment. We’re creating relationships, voicing concerns, clarifying lingering doubts. We get to react in real time, and get real responses. This may sound trivial, but I think it’s a crucial piece of creating a better climate movement. I always think of one of my favorite pieces ever written, on what the climate movement must learn from religion. Climate scientists and activists have tended to be accusatory, emphasizing hard facts over human emotion; religious leaders offer open hands, listening ears. “Let’s walk through it together,” they say. So: let’s learn to deal with the hopes and fears and solutions of climate change together; otherwise, it isn’t, and won't ever be, a movement. We're hiring! Breakthrough is looking for a Food and Agriculture Analyst to join our team. In this role, you'll research ways in which technology and innovation can improve the sustainability of food and agricultural systems. The position is full time and based in downtown Oakland. Get the details here.

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