Problem solving, Foucault style

Foucault talks about power differentials in society and the injustices they create in terms of forces colliding. When two forces come into conflict, one ends up dominating, and the other submitting.

Unless, violence ensues.

The recent riots in London are an example of colliding forces, different values, and conflicting desires. One shop owner called the rioters "feral rats." That is really interesting considering the following quote by Banksy, London stencil graffiti artist:

"Like most people I have a fantasy that all the little powerless losers will gang up together. That all the vermin will get some good equipment and then the underground will go overground and tear this city apart."

That is from his book "Existencilism" which I bought in 2007. Rather prophetic. . .It was written under pictures of his renderings of rats setting off explosives, with the title "The Rat Pack."

Conflict is a part of human life, perhaps it is essential to all life on Earth. Our eyes can't see without the contrast between light and dark. Meaning, at its most fundamental level, can only exist in the difference between two things. Like a bump in the surface of a piece of paper to someone reading braille, it is a difference in the surface the reader feels that conveys a tiny unit of meaning.

That tension of difference is painful, meaningful. . . and beautiful. Can we come to a place where we recognize conflict, difference and tension, learn from it and respond seeking the benefit of everyone?

In any case, avoiding it makes it impossible to resolve it peacefully - a problem which is not recognized will never be solved. . .

Sources: Foucault (Knowledge/Power); Bateson (Mind and Nature); Fanon (Les Damnes De La Terre); Schucman (A Course in Miracles); Banksy (Existencilism)