Michael Todd Fink

Kind Mind

Michael Todd Fink

  • Social Dominance and the Psychology of Climate Change

Social Dominance and the Psychology of Climate Change

Sunday 8th September 2019

Michael Todd Fink explores how social dominance influences climate change and advocates for a shift towards stewardship on 'Kind Mind'.
65 minutes
Thought-provoking
Informative
Engaging
Eye-opening
Hopeful

About this podcast

Kind Mind
Author:
Michael Todd Fink
Overview:
Categories:
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Mindful Recovery
Spiritual & Personal Growth Journeys
Entrepreneurship for Personal Growth
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
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Social Dominance and Climate Change: Unpacking the Psychological Ties

Social dominance actually promotes climate change and we think about it as the problem, but I'm saying it might be the symptom, and so I would just like us to reflect on some of that, and I encourage you to look at this scale- social dominance orientation- and see some of the difficult ones in there- they're subtle- and to think about what would it take to evolve and to share this with other other people.
Picture this: you're sitting in a room with the windows closed and the air conditioning off, feeling the heat rise uncomfortably. This, according to Michael Todd Fink, is a metaphor for how we often approach climate change—ignoring the discomfort until it becomes unbearable. In this thought-provoking episode of 'Kind Mind', Fink dives into the psychology behind climate change, shedding light on how social dominance exacerbates our global crisis.
He argues that climate change isn't just about rising temperatures; it's a symptom of deeper issues rooted in social hierarchies and power dynamics. Fink explains that social dominance has three main components: age, group, and gender. These elements create a system where the most powerful groups often contribute the most to environmental degradation. By examining these dynamics, Fink encourages us to rethink our collective behavior and prioritize the planet's health over maintaining power structures.
The episode also touches on the 'lottery of birth', highlighting how those born into affluent families have more resources to combat climate change than those who are not. This imbalance perpetuates a cycle of exploitation, making it crucial to shift our attitudes from dominion over nature to stewardship. Fink suggests that reinterpreting religious and cultural beliefs could help us make this shift.
Throughout the episode, Fink's insights are both eye-opening and actionable, offering a fresh perspective on how we can address one of the most pressing issues of our time. Whether you're deeply concerned about the environment or just curious about the psychological factors at play, this episode is a must-listen. It's not just about understanding climate change; it's about understanding ourselves and our role in creating a sustainable future.