In a recent blog post, Consolidation for Reformation, Henry Mintzberg, described the need for a second Reformation. Here is a clip:
What is known as the Reformation began with words on a door in Germany and ended with a realignment of power in Europe.
In 1517, with widespread outrage over corruption in the dominating religion, an obscure monk named Martin Luther challenged its prevailing authority by nailing a list of 95 theses (really grievances) to the door of one of its churches.
His words spread within weeks, carried by the new social medium of the time, the printing press.
A groundswell followed as angry people in communities confronted the corruption.
Eventually, new institutions formed, and some existing ones reformed. Much of the world changed.
Credit: Henry Mintzberg
I support Henry in his views, but we need to keep in mind that the Reformation led to the 30 Years War in Europe, which, in Wikipedia’s words:
[The 30 Years War in Europe is] considered one of the most destructive wars in European history, estimates of total deaths caused by the conflict range from 4.5 to 8 million, while some areas of Germany experienced population declines of over 50%.Credit: Wikipedia
The invention of the printing press fueled the Reformation, and it may be that we are having our Gutenberg moment. Social media is fueling a second Reformation, but like the first, however beneficial in the long term, it is likely to be initially extremely painful.
Knowledge Letter: Issue: 259 (Subscribe)
Tags: Gutenberg (5) | Henry Mintzberg (14) | protestant reformation (4) | social media (7) | thirty years war (2)
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Photo Credits: Midjourney (Public Domain)
