Welcome to Change the Paradigm: An Introduction by Mike Andoscia
This webpage is an extension of The Andoscia Sociology Project and, in many ways, is the pinnacle of an almost Freudian model of my mind. Whereas Andoscia Sociology could be looked at as the pure sociology, the objective, academic corner of my consciousness, this is just a small parcel of what makes me who I am. I further express myself with the Journal of a Mad Sociologist. Here, I take the knowledge acquired through sociology and other disciplines and apply it to social action. Again, this fills in more of who I am as a sociologist and as a concerned, social actor. But there's more. There has to be. My existence is not narrowly defined within the parameters of sociology. No! I am a father and a husband, a writer and an artist, an activist and an animal lover...and so on. Too easily we find ourselves pigeonholed into the acute division of labor that defines the postmodern existence. "I am a sociologist." "I am a biologist." We are encouraged to specialize and become experts in tiny parcels of society. That becomes our realm and anything we have to say outside of that realm is not legitimate by virtue of the fact that we are not "the experts." We are, as Pink Floyd offered, just another brick in the wall.
This website rebukes this notion. Intellectuals have, historically, been multifaceted and multifascinated. The great minds of history were not just scientists, but also artists and architects and botonists...all at the same time. Science is an overall curiosity about the entire cosmos, not just one tiny pebble of knowledge that I can sit on and call my own and claim I "know" better than anyone else. Who cares? It's time we change the paradigms of what it means to be a scientist, an artist, an intellectual...a human being.
Changing the Paradigm
This website is a personal expression, but it is not meant to be "mine." Change the Paradigm is meant to be a free organization of human voices dedicated to expanding the definitions of humanity.The organization is founded on two related concepts.
- Society is global
- Society is a conversation
So I and a number of fellow travelers created Change the Paradigm to instill fear in the orthodox. Change the Paradigm is a collective of individuals dedicated to challenging the accepted realities that serve the interests of the powerful at the expense of humanity. This web page is meant to be a starting point for those interested in a different conceptualization of the cosmos, history and our place in both. It is meant to be a place where individual voices can contribute to a changing conversation.
Change the Paradigm is meant to be a forum for writing, art, philosophy and science dedicated to the betterment of humanity. It is a soapbox where those who are silenced can be heard.
Joining the Conversation
Change the Paradigm is an organization unlike most organizations you may find. Indeed, one goal of Change the Paradigm is to change the very definitions of an organization. As such, joining will cost you nothing out of pocket. You will not be solicited for gifts or contributions. You will not receive renewal notices, or "free" tote bags for your donations. But being a part of Change the Paradigm will cost you. It will cost you time and energy. To join, sign the GUESTBOOK and agree to the following obligations:1. You agree to become an active part of your community by joining or
founding organizations committed to making the world a better
place. As a member of these organizations you will take an "active" role
rather than a passive role. A passive role in an organization is
when a member pays dues every year and keeps a current
membership. An active role is when the member actually
does the physical work that makes the organization function, be it
participating on the organization's board of directors, participating in
voluntary functions, writing letters, making phone calls, etc.
2. You agree to contribute some work of your own creation to this web
site at least once every year. This work could be writing (prose/verse), art,
photography, video, music, commentary or any such expression of
your personal voice that you wish to share. You will get credit for any
work you submit. You will have exclusive rights to the project and
Change the Paradigm and the Andoscia Sociology Project will not
profit monetarily from your contribution. (though we will certainly
profit philosophically. )
Guiding Principles
Though Change the Paradigm is meant to be a free forum for ideas there are some guiding principles that should be adhered to by contributors.
1. Work should make a positive contribution to humanity. It should be
optimistic in its outlook. If your work outlines a problem there should
be the elaboration of a solution that is constructive and uplifting to
human evolution.
2. Work should be constructive rather than destructive.
3. Work should recognize the value and dignity of humanity.
4. Debate and disagreement can be constructive. Your work may be
subject to criticism and debate by others who participate in this
forum. That's all right. Debate is a way of making our voices stronger. But
debate and disagreement should adhere to the first three principles.
The world is full of paradigms that degrade humanity. Such paradigms include racism/ethnocentrism, sexism, nationalism, fascism, extremism. Participating in an organization and making contributions that expound on these negative paradigms is not appropriate to Change the Paradigm. For instance, you may believe that joining the Ku Klux Klan is making a contribution to your community. This is your right. But such an organization does not follow the Guiding Principles above and is not appropriate for this forum.
It is my hope that Change the Paradigm does just that. What's more, it is my hope that this website serves as a starting point for you and many others to become active participants in history and society.
Contact
To contact Change the Paradigm
submissions@changetheparadigm.org
To Join Change the Paradigm
member@changetheparadigm.org
Other Sites of the Andoscia Sociology Project
Andoscia SociologyJournal of a Mad Sociology