Image Originally Published in: Klisanin, D. (2010). A grand synergy: Applying the integral operating system to evolutionary guidance media. Journal of Integral Theory and Practice. 5(4).
Evolutionary guidance media is a discipline offering a paradigm for the design of conscious media, green media, socially-responsible media, integral and transformative media, arising from the convergence of ideas derived primarily from the fields of systems science, humanistic and transpersonal psychology and integral theory.
Evolutionary guidance media is defined as “media designed both in content and context specifically for the purpose of guiding and/or facilitating the societal emergence of transpersonal consciousness – specifically planetary consciousness” (Klisanin, 2005). Planetary consciousness is “the knowing as well as the feeling of the vital interdependence and essential oneness of humankind, and the conscious adoption of the ethics and the ethos that this entails” (Ervin Laszlo, 1997, p. 143).
The evolutionary guidance media framework was designed using a generic blueprint for the creation of evolutionary guidance systems as described by Bela H. Banathy (1996, 2000). Evolutionary guidance systems are systems designed such that human beings can take responsibility and control for their own evolutionary processes.
Dr. Klisanin began exploring this area based on many “voices” calling for transformative change and stewardship of media, most notably Duane Elgin, Ervin Laszlo, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Gail Holland, the National Organization for Women, and the Association of Transformative Media Arts. Over the years, many new voices have been added to the research base.
In addition to Bela H. Banathy’s design of evolutionary guidance systems, EGM includes various aspects of the works of humanistic and transpersonal researchers including Abraham Maslow, Roberto Assagioli, Ken Wilber, Stanley Krippner, Maureen O’Hara, and Donald Rothberg. A key aspect of EGM is research drawn from ten or more interactive dimensions of human activity including: social action, economic, moral, wellness, design (or learning), environmental, scientific, technological, aesthetic, and political. These areas are not value neutral but rather value-laden (geared toward promoting a more just and equitable quality of life for all beings). The collection and use of such data is an integral aspect of the research, design, and production of evolutionary guidance media.
Fundamental to the design of evolutionary guidance media is the concept of transception, a term coined by Klisanin (2005) that posits the pairing of compassionate-seeing/action with that of cyberception, or humankind’s rapidly advancing technological abilities.
The core values of evolutionary guidance media include “the promotion of values that support conscious evolution, planetary consciousness, transpersonal experiences, and superconscious learning. These include but are not limited to being-values, compassion, love, personal and social responsibility, creative altruism, peace and conflict resolution skills, gender and racial diversity” (Klisanin, 2005).
Dr. Klisanin’s research in this area has been published in a number of academic journals.
