A modern, global culture supported by technology has disconnected us from the rhythms of the natural world. The winter solstice reminds us of them. I’m writing this in that liminal space of the calendar between Christmas and New Years. It’s just after the winter solstice when things are the darkest in my part of the […]
Seasonal Variations Read More »
In this latest in the Censemaking Methods Series we look at the Prototype Death Rate, a metric for assessing innovation productivity. When an idea has matured enough in our design process, it’s time to create a prototype. This is a tangible or digital ‘mock-up’ of the concept that serves as its first real-world representation. Before
A Metric for Innovation Productivity: The Prototype Death Rate Read More »
The shift in seasons or a new page on the calendar can be an ideal moment to instigate change. The Fresh Start Effect demonstrates that you can engineer opportunities for transformation at any time — simply harness the power of your calendar. “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second
Fresh Start Effects and Pathmaking Read More »
What happens when the AI-powered algorithms take what was once a peer-to-peer network and turn it into an AI arms race? Cory Doctorow has coined the term enshitification to describe the ways in which many large electronic media platforms from Google to Facebook to (now-called) X and others. He’s speaking to that feeling that I
Evidence and Learning in the New AI-driven Arms Race Read More »
In this latest in our Censemaking Methods Series we turn our focus toward applying design to generating impact through better events and gatherings. Crafting an unforgettable gathering is an alchemy of art and science. Through intentional design, we can learn from service design From board retreats, annual general meetings, to brainstorming sessions, a stellar event
Designing More Powerful Events For Greater Impact Read More »
Allostasis is a term that can make a big difference in shaping our understanding of change and what it means for us. Biological processes can provide explanations and metaphors that guide how we view and approach change. Among the most popular is homeostasis. Homeostatic processes view things from a set point or baseline and view
Allostatic Change And Why It Matters Read More »
Social innovation has stalled while its need has never been greater: How might we bring it back to life? This second of a two-part series that builds on a piece originally published on Medium. A new dawn for social innovation could be upon us if we look closely. As I outlined in an earlier article,
Social Innovation’s Update: Part 2 – An Opportunity and Future Read More »
Social innovation was once at the leading edge for social impact thinking and now seems stalled: what happened? This first of a two-part series builds on a piece I published on Medium and can be read here. Social Innovation was a term I used regularly to describe my field of interest. I loved how it
Social Innovation’s Update: Part 1 – A Complicated History Read More »
Complexity is straining the ability of traditional plans to function as designed. When mass systems change is afoot, the key is not to jettison traditional planning, but collaborate with complexity rather than ignore it. In an earlier post I made the case that the days of linear planning were over. I stand by that, but
Cooperative Complexity and Planning Read More »
What does systemic change at an exponential level look like? Look around and you’ll see why a new approach to perceiving the world is now critical. The first question above is answered below: Whether it’s area burned (above) or carbon emissions (below), the Canadian wildfire situation is a start and gigantic example of what exponential
Exponential Lessons for Systems Action Read More »
