{"id":21248,"date":"2024-05-03T08:47:34","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T07:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennethsorensen.dk\/?p=21248"},"modified":"2026-05-11T14:11:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T13:11:10","slug":"let-us-understand-each-other","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennethsorensen.dk\/en\/let-us-understand-each-other\/","title":{"rendered":"Let Us Understand Each Other\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why does the news always sound like the world is ending, when most of life is quietly constructive? An essay written on the brink of war, calling for constructive news, real cross-cultural contact, and the slow work of clearing prejudice on both sides of the Atlantic.<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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By Roberto Assagioli<\/strong>
First published in The World Observer<\/em>, Vol. 1, No. 2, August 1937. [i]<\/span><\/span><\/a>
Doc. #21853, Assagioli Archives, Florence.
Edited with notes and formatted by Jan Kuniholm [ii]<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editorial Note<\/strong>
The abstract and contextual subtitle in this online edition have been added by the editor, Kenneth S\u00f8rensen, to support readability, navigation, and archival consistency. The original wording has not been altered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Abstract<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Two years before war, Assagioli wrote this appeal for American readers of The World Observer<\/em>, the short-lived magazine edited by Alice and Foster Bailey. The press misleads us, he argues, into thinking Europe is only conflict. The reality is a powerful, fermenting, surging new life of constructive effort that journalists rarely cover. He warns against superficial sightseeing as a substitute for understanding, and urges Americans and Europeans to clear away their misconceptions through reliable information and personal contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As the ship which carried me across the Atlantic was nearing the American coast, I realized that, in a very small and humble way, I was a messenger from Europe. I felt that while I was going to be greatly enriched and inspired by my visit to the United States <\/span><\/span>[iii]<\/span><\/span><\/a> and would be able to bring back much to Italy, my country, I should also say something about what is happening in Europe and address to you an appeal.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first point of my message is one of hope and cheer. Two great trends are now predominant in Europe: one which is separative, competitive, combative, and one which is constructive and creative.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe that unfortunately you are hearing mostly, if not almost exclusively, about the former, because according to the mistaken notion prevailing among journalists, it is believed to make more interesting, exciting and dramatic news. In reality the constant reports of fights, rebellions, strikes, bombardments, etc. (on both continents), are monstrous enough; their repetition has deprived them of any thrill.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What instead would <\/span><\/span>really<\/span><\/span><\/em> make exciting news, if vividly presented, are the constructive efforts which are being made in every country of Europe; the high visions and the struggles against material difficulties; the fierce fight which is going on <\/span><\/span>within<\/span><\/span><\/em> each nation between old and new ideals, principles and methods; the strange mixture of noble heroism and of fanaticism, of almost superhuman self-sacrifice and of primitive passions; of glaring mistakes and of amazing achievements.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n