Non Violent Communication

I just watched this video of a workshop that Marshall Rosenberg gave in 2000. I came to it through my association with Extinction Rebellion (XR). XR is a movement with non-violent direct action as its core method for bringing about change. But it also has progressive (that's not really the right word) principles such as holacracy, self organising systems, regenerative culture, and empathic communication at its heart too. So I was primed for interest in non violent communication. In fact I've tried to use some of the tips that XR provides when talking to people on the street at actions. It's quite a challenge finding an effective way to communicate with people who some of the time - even if they do agree with our point - disagree with our method.

I don't know whether his method is scientifically tested or proven. It feels a little contrived at times. But the insights and ideas seemed profound and I would even say sometimes quite moving - this central idea of clearing away destructive methods of communication and replacing them with a genuine attempt to understand another's needs. Either way, it's an original format for a puppet show and quite laugh out loud funny in places. A better way to spend 3 hours than binge watching another box set (e.g., the disappointing series two of Mindhunters).

Anyway, it's the sort of thing that makes you wish you'd come across it much sooner. Definitely some times in my life when I could have done with some ideas that might have made communication more successful. Highly recommended.

https://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/nonviolent-communication-basics-2000/

P.S. the website that this film is on is a pretty useful resource too: https://www.filmsforaction.org/