Can trimtabs save democracy? | Simon Holmes à Court | TEDxSydney

Summary of YouTube Video

Key Concepts:

• Trim Tab: A small mechanism that can steer a large ship, metaphor for individual action causing significant change.
• Community Independents: Political candidates chosen by and representing their local community, not a political party.
• Deep Listening: A process of engaging with the community to understand their needs and concerns.
• Spaceship Earth: Bucky Fuller's concept of viewing the Earth as a closed system with finite resources.
• Redemocratizing Democracy: The process of returning power to the people and making democracy more participatory.

1. Introduction: The Power of Trim Tabs and Buckminster Fuller

• The video introduces the concept of "trim tabs" – individuals or small groups working to democratize democracy.
• Richard Buckminster Fuller (Bucky) is presented as an inventor and futurist whose ideas have had a significant impact.
• Bucky's inventions include the geodesic dome, the Dymaxion map, and the Dymaxion car.
• His most significant contribution was his thinking, particularly his concept of "Spaceship Earth" and the idea that humanity's needs could be met without depleting resources.

2. Bucky Fuller's Epiphany and the Trim Tab Metaphor

• Bucky Fuller experienced a period of despair after business failure and the death of his daughter, leading him to contemplate suicide.
• At the edge of Lake Michigan, he had an epiphany: to dedicate his life to a grand experiment to see how much impact one person could have on the betterment of humanity.
• This led him to the concept of the "trim tab," a small mechanism on a ship's rudder that can steer the entire vessel.
• The example of the Queen Elizabeth passenger liner is used to illustrate the power of the trim tab. A small trim tab creates a low-pressure region that pulls the entire rudder, requiring minimal effort to change the ship's course.
• Bucky saw himself as a human trim tab, believing that one person acting in the right place at the right time can make a big difference.

3. The Community Independents Movement in Australia

• The video highlights the emergence of the community independents movement in Australia as a real-world example of the trim tab principle.
• The movement began in 2012 in the rural seat of Indi, where a group of people felt their member of parliament was not representing their community.
• The group, Voices of Indi, engaged in "deep listening" through kitchen table conversations, town hall meetings, and street stalls.
• They selected Cathy McGowan as their candidate, who won the 2013 election, demonstrating that small collective actions can alter the course of politics.
• The Indi victory inspired similar movements in other parts of the country.

4. Success Stories: Waringa and the 2022 Federal Election

• In 2019, Zali Steggall, a barrister and Olympic gold medalist, defeated a former prime minister in the seat of Warringah, further demonstrating the power of community independents.
• The 2022 federal election saw a significant breakthrough for the movement, with seven new community independents elected to Parliament.
• These campaigns focused on putting people before parties and prioritizing the community's interests.
• In the 2022 election, 1 million Australians voted for an independent, and one-third of Australians are no longer voting for either major party.
• The movement aims to shift away from a political system that favors division over debate and power over purpose.

5. The Future of the Movement and Bucky Fuller's Legacy

• The video notes that in one in four electorates, the community had an independent to vote for.
• The movement didn't achieve all its goals, but it demonstrated that consistent pressure applied over time can create real change.
• The video concludes by returning to Bucky Fuller's story, emphasizing that he could have chosen a different path but instead dedicated his life to making a positive impact.
• Bucky's legacy is not just his inventions but also the simple idea that trim tabs can change the world.
• The video encourages viewers to become human trim tabs, working together to reclaim the democratic process and redemocratize democracy.

6. Notable Quotes:

• Bucky Fuller: "Takes almost no effort at all." (referring to the trim tab's ability to steer a large ship)
• Bucky Fuller: "The little individual can turn the giant ship of state and that's me."

7. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Geodesic Dome: A spherical structure made of interconnected triangles, known for its strength and efficiency.
• Dymaxion Map: A map projection that attempts to represent the Earth's surface with minimal distortion.
• Hyperpolarization: Extreme division and polarization of opinions within a society.
• Social Cohesion: The degree to which people in a society feel connected and united.

8. Logical Connections:

• The video begins with the abstract concept of "democratizing democracy" and then grounds it in the specific example of the community independents movement in Australia.
• Bucky Fuller's story and the trim tab metaphor provide a framework for understanding how individual actions can lead to large-scale change.
• The success stories of Indi and Warringah illustrate the practical application of the trim tab principle in the political arena.
• The video concludes by urging viewers to embrace the trim tab mentality and work towards a more democratic and participatory society.

9. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The video argues that significant change can be achieved through small, targeted actions by individuals and communities. The "trim tab" metaphor, inspired by Buckminster Fuller, illustrates how a small force applied in the right place can steer a large system. The community independents movement in Australia serves as a real-world example of this principle, demonstrating that grassroots efforts can challenge established political norms and create a more representative democracy. The video encourages viewers to become "human trim tabs" and actively participate in shaping the future of their communities.