We explore the semantic trap of mistaking abstract political maps for the actual reality of the Earth. We define "Provincialism Masquerading as Principle" through the lens of the American Civil War and contrast it with the Aboriginal Australian Songlines—a living, melodic way of mapping the territory through relationship rather than ownership.

Homework:

1. Interrupt your routine to look up an"Earth at Night" satellite photo of a border area (like North and South Korea or the US-Mexico border) and see how the "Map" disappears in the dark.
2. Write down one questionyou have after this episode or doing homework #1. If no question comes to mind, write: "no question."
3. Optional:Journal about a time you judged someone based on "where they were from" (their map) rather than "who they were" (their territory).

Learning Topics:

• The Map is Not the Territory (Korzybski).
• The Semantic Gap and Cognitive Bias.
• The American Civil War: Sectionalism as Provincialism.
• Aboriginal Songlines: Navigation through song and relationship.
• AIATSIS Songlines Project: Protecting ancient indigenous knowledge.

Resources & Links:

• Follow the podcast as we launch into the first semester of this new peace school.
• Join the Community / Get the Books: www.AvisKalfsbeek.com
• Podcast Music: Javier Peke Rodriguez “I am late, madame Curie” https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QuyqfXEKzrpUl6b12I3KW