The Two Pigs In The Python
Seventy-five million Baby Boomers and seventy-six million Millennials are the two “pigs in the python,” causing massive disruptions as they go through successive stages of life. But, they are not too crazy about each other. Why?
Many Millennials believe that they are facing the most frightening financial future of any generation since the great depression. The Millennials point to the faulty strategies and bad judgments made by the Baby Boomers. And, what do the Baby Boomers think?
Talk to the Baby Boomers, it is all Millennials’ fault. According to them, the Millennials are lazy and expect entitlements.
So what?
While the “pigs” are busy arguing, the “power elites” are engaged in the political, economic and social maneuverings to make structural changes to the nation-state. The power elites are the corporations and institutions, the armed forces, and the politicians (the politicians are actually sitting in the pockets of companies and organizations). Whose best interests are they going to serve?
You got it! The power elites enrich their own best interests and couldn’t care less for the “pigs” or the masses. They are using intense propaganda to divert the attention to the trivial issues. Nothing new here. It is the age-old “divide and rule” strategy. So, how do the “pigs” avoid getting sucked into their maneuvering?
The “pigs” need to get out of the circular debate. Leaders of at least one of them need to make a well thought out (maybe a single issue), proposal. The other side then may build on that to something that both pigs can accept. Together they can compel the power elites (the politicians, assuming they want to be re-elected) to create the desired change.
Only Proposals Advance Negotiations
Often I see negotiators getting involved in a circular debate. The attack-defend spiral, interrupting and not listening, scoring cheap points, being sarcastic – – arguing and persuading – is typical of a circular discussion. How do you get out of that and advance a negotiation?
You make a proposal. Only proposals advance negotiations. Of course, to make a well thought out proposal, the parties must understand and acknowledge each other’s priorities, motives, risks, and needs. If they have a constructive dialog, usually they can come up with a plan that satisfies both sides.
