Ishmael, Chapter 12, Nicole Follini and Drew Bissell

Concept 1: According to Ishmael, the Takers believe that evolution has stopped with humans and that the Takers are removing themselves from the “community of life” and the rules that make the Earth sustainable. This will lead to the lack of intelligence and growth within a community.

Concept 2: Ishmael helps the narrator see that humans have a lack of self awareness and guidance, which is leading to the destruction of Earth. Without either of those traits it is hard for there to be role models for people to follow and help rethink their ways of life in order to be apart of something positive instead of a free fall.

Concept 3: The idea of captivity is brought up again by Ishmael. He suggests that humans cannot see what is holding them back from changing, so humans are trapped in a detrimental cycle. Change will only happen when humans can see the bars that are holding them back.

Concept 4: When the teachings are complete Ishmael tells the narrator that after the teaching are over is where his pupils failed. In order to make such a huge change in the world, one must educate people to help them come to their own insightful conclusion. Ishmael says, “You can’t just change things with laws. You must change people’s minds.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjOlDJB34ws