Dec 20, 2021

The Messenger - Issue #12: On Citizenship

Citizenship is often paid lip-service, something that we all “respect” without doing anything in support. But citizenship isn’t window-dressing in a wicked world: it’s a necessary piece of the puzzle, for the wicked problems are too complex to be addressed by any institution howsoever powerful. The more we enable problem solving capacity in citizens, the more likely the challenges of Indian society will be addressed with competence and justice.

We are approaching the end of the year. The Messenger will take a couple of weeks off and we’ll be back in early January.

Who does the country belong to? Who belongs to the country?

Can we invert the power structure by creating a jury of migrants?

Can we sit in judgment? And who is the 'we'?

So many problems, so little time

Waiting for the verdict

Who wouldn't want these outcomes?

make it easier to act locally

economic rights are an important part of citizenship

So many ways forward!

How can we fulfill these needs?

The nation is in our shoulders

Afterword

This being the Socratus newsletter about citizenship, it’s fitting we read an article about Socrates the citizen:

The civic drama of Socrates trial | Aeon Essays

Conventional wisdom sees Socrates as a martyr for free speech, but he accepted his death sentence for a different cause

aeon.co • Share

I have always been a fan of the burnt rice at the bottom of the Pongal vessel - turns out many cultures treasure the charms of rice that’s stuck to the bottom. Here’s an article on how scorched rice is used all over the world:

The Thrilling Dare of Scorched Rice - The New York Times

When browned on the bottom of the pot by a skilled cook, the grain is transformed into a complex delicacy, one prized by food cultures around the world.

www.nytimes.com • Share

We are approaching the end of the year. The Messenger will take a couple of weeks off and we’ll be back in early January.

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By Socratus

Illustrating Wicked Problems

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