I’m a believer. Masses of people house the collective brainpower, creativity, and energy to make small work of even the largest “problems”.
This is growth on my part. I used to think I was the smartest guy alive. This is a slight exaggeration of course, but I have always been a lone wolf when it came to projects, papers, or professional undertakings.
Under the caring tutelage of those who know stuff I don’t, I have come to be a huge proponent of (mass)collaboration and collective intelligence.
My fervor was further cemented as I read the book Wikinomics, right up until the point when I realized: If (mass)collaboration and collective intelligence are so powerful and clairvoyant, why is the world in its current state of social, economic, and ecological disarray? Shouldn’t all this collective wisdom have solved these issues and redirected us to a happy, prosperous, and abundant world? [Read more →]
I know, I know. Trite. Cliché. Heard it all before. Been there done that. That’s what I used to say too.
Then I remembered—knowing is only half the battle. The other half is applying what we know. Consistently. And getting back on the wagon when we fall off.
I recently rediscovered that when I keep what I want at the forefront of my mind, and make all decisions based on whether it will bring me closer or farther from creating the life I want I am most likely to get there.
So what was my starting point? Deciding what my life mission is. What’s my goal, or life direction. What do I want my life to look like—all facets of my life.
And then I make discrete decisions based on this vision.
Cliché? Perhaps. But it’s working, so I’m going to keep on doing it!
Cutting edge housing developments seem to keep landing in my inbox this week. I thinks it’s because Jeana and I have been attracting it. We’ve put it out to the universe that we will be renovating a building we’ve yet to find or buy in order to create an inspiring living space and passive income source. Here’s the email I got today:
Montreal design team wins national eco-housing competition!
This week it was announced that the Montreal design team, Abondance Montreal, has been named as one the winning teams in a national competition to create zero energy housing.
I just received an email from a person I respect, on behalf of a very well intentioned group of people trying to spark global change. So why am I so disappointed? It all has to do with marketing. Or, more specifically, branding.
The thrust of the email I received revolved around the following paragraph:
The essential question: As a species, now that our biggest problems result from our size, is it still appropriate to hold growth as a primary goal [refering to "growth of the economy"]? Or do we accept that we have reached a mature size and now need to re-direct decision-making toward the goal of long-term well- being? It is a question of direction.
My problem is that I agree with 98% of what this group is getting at. I agree with their sense of urgency and the scope of transformation required. I even agree we need to change direction and that “long-term well-being” would be one fantastic result of our efforts.
The 2% disagreement, and the source of much frustration, is in the way many praiseworthy people frame their vision. Being against “growth” means needlessly going against the grain–in this case long held mindsets, and perhaps even human nature itself. And it certainly goes against mother nature, which has grown healthy abundance for over 4 billion years.The concepts of “growth” and “more” excite people. Growth itself is a beautiful concept with many powerfully positive connotations: Trees grow. People grow. Food grows. Likewise, few people actively strive for “less”. Both “growth” and “more” reach us at a visceral level. Mainstream businesses and political entities understand this when they make branding decisions.The fact that the word “growth” has been used to describe expanding a flawed paradigm does not mean that “growth is bad”.The problem is not with the word / concept of “growth”. The problem is with the paradigm and with what parameters we choose to measure this paradigm’s success. So, instead of being against growth—and going against the grain—why don’t we focus on “growing” a world we wish to see. Let’s focus on what this would look like, and how we can bring it about. Then perhaps we could increase (ie: grow) “well-being” as a measurement of our success in designing and implementing this new paradigm.The question is not “Growth or No Growth?”, but rather “What do we want to grow?”(William McDonough taught me this)
Interested in the future of housing? Living in or near Point St. Charles? Interested in living in the Point? Then check out the email / event below, and the press release.
The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds, and words return to us sooner or later, with astounding accuracy. – Florence Shinn, writer (1871-1940)
I don’t I really need to add anything to this, except that if you doubt it, you’re missing out on the Secret (to life, the universe and everything. And no, it’s not 42!)
Wow, now things are really cooking…I’ve gone from blogging neophyte to YouTube celebrity in a couple of days. Fine, “celebrity” is a bit of positive projecting (I’m the only one who has viewed my video to date) and I clearly need interview coaching. But I’m smiling nonetheless. This whole interactive, collaborative, collective intelligence world that is evolving is fun, hopeful, and energizing.
Oh yeah…why am I on You tube? Last Wednesday, I attended a David Suzuki presentation in Montreal. The theme was What would you do if you were Prime Minister of Canada? Audience members were asked to share with the Suzuki Foundation’s cameras what we would do. Here’s my share:
I’m beginning to think that wisdom is eternal–it just gets dressed differently as time goes on.
For example:
Confucious: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Wayne Gretzky: You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
Julia Cameron: Artistic success consists of one simple step: show up at the page
Houdini: Leap, and the net will appear.
Since the beginning of time, it seems we’ve know that the first step is the most important.
What I’m slowly starting to realize is that it need not be the hardest. The difficulties I had posting my first blog, and the other 2 today, were all made up in my head. In fact, almost every time in recent months I have hesitated in doing that which my heart knew was right for me was a result of my protective brain stepping in with fear based noise. The result has been over-complicating some simple decisions, and hesitating follwoing through on decisions already made.
That’s it. This is my public declaration that I’m going to listen to my gut more often. Dot.Com it is! (inside joke)
Of course, the above can probably be summed up by another wise person:
“Think you can, or think you can’t. Either way, you’ll be right.” — Henry Ford
I believe I can make a meaningful contribution to the blogsphere, so I’m going to keep at it. Besides, now that I’ve finally gotten started, this blogging thing isn’t so bad.
One last thought: what if I become addicted…?
(Ooops, there’s my mind trying to take me out of the game again. Thanks for training me to catch this Harv!
