Blog | Ricken Patel

rickenpatel

Nov 5, 20249 min read

5 Lessons from Trump’s Election Win

Like millions of other people, I am currently digesting the news tonight that Donald Trump has won a sweeping victory in the US...

rickenpatel

Aug 30, 20246 min read

Honouring My Dad

Sharad Ramanbhai Patel passed away yesterday morning, at the age of 86. His memorial page is here . Usually memoriams are filled with...

rickenpatel

Jun 3, 202413 min read

Trigger Spirals vs Wisdom Spirals

The Timeless Battle for Our Lives, Our Loves, and our Democracies WATCH the video above, or read below. Images are clearer in the text!...

Identity Politics is Not the Answer to Authoritarianism, It's Bait

rickenpatel

Apr 24, 20249 min read

Identity Politics is Not the Answer to Authoritarianism, It's Bait

For decades now, progressive foundations and activists, particularly from the US, have had one central grand strategy towards advancing...

rickenpatel

Apr 17, 202411 min read

From Fake News to Fake Views

The internet, and social media, are largely fake, and "fake views" are increasingly powerful. Will the bots destroy democracy?

The Nut: How Emotions Undermine the Communication Needed to Resolve Conflict

rickenpatel

Apr 2, 20246 min read

The Nut: How Emotions Undermine the Communication Needed to Resolve Conflict

It might seem enormously cliche and common knowledge, but I’m shocked at how little this simple insight is clearly taught in our schools,...

The Road to Hell is Paved With Selective Empathy

rickenpatel

Oct 13, 20233 min read

The Road to Hell is Paved With Selective Empathy

I’ve been struck over these last few days by how few perspectives are offered in our mass media and social media that truly empathize...

The Terror of Cancel Culture is the Heart of the Authoritarian Playbook

rickenpatel

Apr 4, 202315 min read

The Terror of Cancel Culture is the Heart of the Authoritarian Playbook

I’ve spent the last few years studying and working to counter authoritarianism in our democracies. There is clearly a playbook, a formula...

The Magic of Finding Your “Special Spot”

rickenpatel

Mar 17, 20232 min read

The Magic of Finding Your “Special Spot”

Like it or not, we are creatures of our environment. As much as you might cultivate a legendary Buddha-like ability to keep your mind...

Love Science, and Beware the Cult of the ‘Expert’

rickenpatel

Jan 17, 202310 min read

Love Science, and Beware the Cult of the ‘Expert’

I love science. And education, and skilled professionals. My wife had a c-section, and she and my kids would probably not be alive...

It’s Time to Rekindle our Passion for Truth and Fairness

rickenpatel

Oct 12, 20226 min read

It’s Time to Rekindle our Passion for Truth and Fairness

You come up against a commonly recurring problem as an activist. Simplicity is often essential to motivate people to action, but...

rickenpatel

Sep 24, 202213 min read

What it’s Actually Like to Be a CEO

The populist image of CEOs is far from reality

“Make it Stink” - To Save the World, Slay Cognitive Distortions

rickenpatel

Jul 17, 202215 min read

“Make it Stink” - To Save the World, Slay Cognitive Distortions

The world is waking up to the extent of our mental health challenges, particularly of anxiety and depression, and particularly in...

“Cumulative Extremism” and the Conflict Industrial Complex

rickenpatel

Jun 1, 202211 min read

“Cumulative Extremism” and the Conflict Industrial Complex

After 20 years of campaigning, I’m still surprised how rarely those of us engaged in the fight understand the big picture we’re part of....

Woketivism and a Better Way to be a Better Human

rickenpatel

Feb 10, 20216 min read

Woketivism and a Better Way to be a Better Human

Some of my first memories as a human were of being in kindergarten, the only kid at my rural school who was neither white nor indigenous...

rickenpatel

Feb 8, 20213 min read

The Journey - Introduction

This Moment Maybe we all feel it. A deep unease. A sense of something impending, unfolding. 70% of us believe the greatest challenges...

rickenpatel

Feb 8, 20214 min read

Wonder and the Big Cahuna

When I think about what life is all about - what makes it feel most meaningful - what makes me feel most ‘alive’ - wonder is high on my...