Wisdom in fragments

To be a happy human being, we must each have an extraordinary life and an ordinary life. We need both to be connected and happy. We were born to find what we can be extraordinary at, alongside leading our ordinary lives. The important thing is to find both lives and hold onto them.

If I could change only one thing about public understanding of the meritocratic structures in our world, it would be to give more recognition to our hidden heroes. These are often people just below the levels we would consider as being 'the elite.' They don't even realise themselves that they are heroes because of the confidential nature of the work.

Connection is not a nice to have. When we lose the right kinds of connections with others, we start to feel we don't exist. Buried underneath the complexity and the contempt, there's something wrong with how we're connecting as a society that's fuelling the anger we see.

The most corrupting idea about power is that it gives you a set of techniques to enable you to get more of what you want, no questions asked. If we think about power in that way, our soul will get eroded. We need to start thinking differently, the Ubuntu interpretation would be that parts of us are hidden in others – that we will only fully exist if we explore and encounter.

the knowledge that we must die 'the worm at the core' of the human condition

Pioneering American psychologist and philosopher; founder of pragmatism

Ernest Becker proposed that we still worship, it's just that we worship money and political leaders or become members of cults, conspiracy groups or yoga! These are just different ways of dealing with death and anxiety.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Denial of Death

Without what Becker called 'cultural world views' we would be overwhelmed by existential terror. Beliefs about reality that we share foster psychological equanimity by giving us a sense of meaning and value.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Denial of Death

the distinguishing characteristic of humanity is our awareness that death is inevitable and the disinclination to accept that fact. Very simply, Becker says that we're just like all other creatures- we want to survive- but the difference is that we're able to do it using our vast intelligence. We can imagine things that don't exist and make them real.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Denial of Death

it is our knowledge that we have to die that makes us human

People knew they were risking their lives going out for George Floyd, for #BLM. People were sure that they were risking death when building mutual aid webs or asking for dignity on the streets. People are choosing humanity, dignity, freedom and equality as ideals even when they perceive a risk of dying.

Turkish journalist, author, and political commentator known for critical writings on democracy

Power requires oppression. In order to be powerful, you have to stand upon something. Strength comes from within. We are seeing the emergence of new political organisms with strength not power at the core. From Moscow to Hong Kong and India to the United States, powerless organisations are creating strong governance without power.

Turkish journalist, author, and political commentator known for critical writings on democracy

The idea of dialogue is overrated- sometimes you have to fight. There are certain issues we mustn't depoliticise, sometimes we must fight, and sometimes that fight is physical… that's just reality. As for 'building bridges' with fascists, sometimes there are no bridges, you cannot befriend someone who is trying to kill you.

Turkish journalist, author, and political commentator known for critical writings on democracy

Our system has never defined what it means to be 'good' – what is the ideal human being in capitalism? Is it Jeff Bezos? Is it Steve Jobs? They thrived, they profited, are they 'moral'? The ideal human profile of capitalism does not fit with our basic human dignity.

Turkish journalist, author, and political commentator known for critical writings on democracy

The will to live together is the fundamental pillar that keeps society going- and that pillar is now under threat. This new messy form of fascism that we have been subjected to in several countries is damaging these fundaments. We are losing the will to live together… What will we do when we lose the will to live together? That's one of the fundamental questions of our time.

Turkish journalist, author, and political commentator known for critical writings on democracy

Even in those very difficult moments, I had enough freedom to choose who I wanted to be in the face of that circumstance. For all of us, the challenge is to rise above our experiences and make choices to choose light over darkness.

Former Colombian Presidential Candidate & Hostage Rescue Survivor

I truly believe humans have the capacity to change. That's the definition of freedom… our ability to choose who we want to be.

Former Colombian Presidential Candidate & Hostage Rescue Survivor