It would be most gratifying if across the biosphere, faculty and their students at universities and colleges, along with public intellectuals not directly affiliated with higher education were to stand up and speak out during Origins and Extinctions Days. They could make the necessary leap forward that is needed to secure the integrity of our biological and cultural heritage.
That is, Origins and Extinctions Days would mark the beginning of a massive effort by faculty and allies to work collaboratively work interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams, vigilantly leading the construction of essential knowledge and the analyses that lead to understanding of the core threats to humanity and the biosphere. These erudite teams would ensure coordinated investigative and analytical presentations, presented as both written and audiovisual communications will be produced by a media consortium, known as the Knowledge Integration Network. The network would have the acronym KIN, given that we humans and the rest of the biota, with whom we share DNA, are “all in this together.” The spatial headquarters of this network would be at the World Center for Survival of Cultural and Biological Heritage.
Both time-certain presentations and special, intermittent presentations would be made available for dissemination by student and faculty organizations at every college and university and all public radio and telecommunications facilities and other non-profit news outlets. These presentations must be informative and compelling to minds across the political-and-philosophical spectrum, and should be incorporated in upper level, interdisciplinary, liberal education courses at universities and colleges.
Several attention-level and depth formats for communicating with the public at large are recommended: 1) short introductory format such as is seen in blogs or science news reports written by individuals (easily linked to the network website), 2) a moderately longer pieces, and 3) longer, in-depth formats that will be buttressed by readily accessible citations (e.g., showcasing transformative books and papers in the major journals in the field) and links to the works of other transdisciplinary teams.
Moreover, when events demand, the KIN would be capable of rapid-response, responsible re-framing of the narrative. That is, a logical presentation of the knowledge, with clear analyses about causes, effects, and the inclusive values involved may obviate misinterpretations and detrimental actions and may motivate citizens to become part of the solution. These multi-media products should be part of a complete approach to effective, strategic communication. Sometimes the presentation will be targeted tactically, but it always should resonate with individuals across a wide spectrum in society. The presentations should appeal emotionally, aesthetically, and logically within the framework of the broader, inclusive values espoused in “Our Ethical Imperative.” We need to enable and empower others to enthusiastically and confidently work to secure and restore our biological and cultural heritage.
ORIGINS AND EXTINCTIONS 