Why Is Talking About Systemic Change So Difficult?

 

Climate change, ecological degradation, unsustainable economic growth, poverty, inequality, endless wars… almost everyone can have a conversation about what’s going wrong in the world today. But the moment you try to talk about the need to implement radical systemic changes — changes that question the very foundations of our economic models, political institutions, and cultural assumptions — the conversation suddenly becomes “too complicated.”

You mean I have to think?!

Oh no, thinking is too difficult… and all your solutions sound utopian!

It’s a strange paradox: people see that the current system is unsustainable, yet reflexively dismiss ideas that might actually address its root causes.

Here’s why this happens:

Psychological inertia & fear: 

Truly rethinking the system means confronting profound uncertainty. Many instinctively fear losing what little stability they feel they have, even if that stability is harmful or unsustainable.

Cognitive overload: 

Systemic problems are complex and interconnected. They demand sustained critical thinking, which can feel overwhelming in a world full of distractions and superficial debates.

Cultural narratives: 

For decades, we’ve heard “there is no alternative.” Neoliberal ideology frames systemic thinking as naïve, utopian, or even dangerous, so bold ideas are dismissed almost automatically.

Interests & power: 

Those who benefit from the status quo subtly shape media and political discourse to keep systemic thinking at the margins, while presenting incremental change as the only “realistic” approach.

And there’s a tragic irony here:

The very problems that make systemic change necessary feel so overwhelming that many people retreat into denial, cynicism, or fatalism.

Calling solutions “utopian” becomes a convenient way to avoid thinking deeply. Yet history shows us that ideas once considered impossible — universal suffrage, abolition of slavery, weekends, public education — became reality because people refused to accept the idea that nothing could change.

How to Talk About Systemic Change Without Triggering Defensive Reactions.

First, let’s be honest:

Some people are simply too “far gone“. Their minds may never be able to go beyond diagnosing the problems and proposing simplistic or contradictory solutions — even when their own lives are directly affected. When you encounter someone like this, it’s often best not to push conversations about systemic change. Otherwise, you risk making them defensive, driving them away, or deepening their cynicism.

For those of us who support The Venus Project, it’s crucial to recognize that the paradigm shift we advocate can feel overwhelming. Instead of confronting people head-on in debates that often lead to nihilism or frustration, it’s usually better to inspire curiosity.

Here are a few strategies that help:

Start with shared values and experiences

Talk about common concerns everyone feels: the stress of economic insecurity, frustration with waste and inefficiency, the sense that politics isn’t working. Show that you understand how people feel, instead of immediately presenting abstract solutions.

Tell stories instead of theories

Abstract blueprints are hard to grasp. Use relatable examples: communities using circular design, cities experimenting with participatory democracy, or local projects using automation to reduce drudgery. Stories make ideas tangible.

Introduce ideas as questions, not answers Instead of “We need a resource-based economy,” ask: 

“What if we could design a system where basic needs didn’t depend on money?” This opens space for dialogue instead of debate.

Use metaphors and analogies

People often relate better to metaphors than charts or jargon. For example: “Our current system is like trying to patch a sinking ship instead of building a new one designed to float.”

Emphasize evolution, not overnight revolution

The Venus Project is about systemic design, but that doesn’t mean everything changes instantly. Explain it as a transition: an iterative process of replacing obsolete systems with more intelligent, humane ones.

Model the values you advocate

If you’re calm, respectful, and curious, people are more likely to open up. If you come across as dogmatic or combative, they’ll shut down — even if your ideas are sound.

Final thought

The goal isn’t to “win” debates or convince everyone overnight. It’s to plant seeds of curiosity and show there are coherent, well-thought-out alternatives to the status quo — alternatives grounded in scientific understanding, technological possibility, and human well-being.

Some seeds won’t sprout.

Others might take years.

But even the most so called “utopian” idea can become reality when enough minds begin to imagine it.