Social Innovation on Big Issues
Some problems have deep roots, seem intractable and resist change. Our first social innovation might be understanding that change is
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social change
Foresight, Growth and the J-shaped Curve
The business of futures is to see what possibilities lay ahead to better anticipate how to meet them when or
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Smart goals or better systems?
If you’re working toward some sort of collective goals — as an organization, network or even as an individual —
Read moreConfusing change-making with actual change
Change-making is the process of transformation and not to be confused with the transformed outcome that results from such a
Read moreThe Finger Pointing to the Moon
In social innovation we are at risk of confusing our stories of success for real, genuine impact. Without theories, implementation
Read moreMythmaking about speed and scale in social innovation
Yes, but does it scale? – Question asked at nearly every presentation on a social innovation ever made* It is
Read moreThe PR Problem for Design, Evaluation,and Complexity
The same might be true of design, evaluation and complexity if we let it. It’s not a surprise that these three concepts are intimately tied together, as those training to apply design thinking and strategic foresight learn. Perhaps its time to start giving these ideas away, but to do so we first need to rehab their image and apply some design thinking and brand development strategy to all three ideas. As practitioners in any or all of these fields, giving away what we do by educating, reinforcing, and ensuring that the work we do is of the highest quality is a way to lead by example. None of us is likely to change things by ourselves, but together we can do wonders.
Read moreDesign for Social Norms or Social Change?
Just as we create path dependencies for one set of values, so too can we do the same for others and with other people. The focus on the outcomes of systems rather than their design is problematic if we want change. Starting with design and values at the outset, being conscious of who we invite in and how we engage them and by remaining contemplative about how these systems unfold and the emergent patterns that shape them, designers of all stripes may be better positioned to create social change rather than just for social norms.
Read moreSocial Networks: Beyond the Numbers
Powerful social network research is as much about having a good statistician as it is an anthropologist and together, they need to have the story that comes from it, woven together by the users.
Read moreDesign + Love = Change
Sigmund Freud believed examination of life was useful for making people better at work and love. Designers are hired for the former, but have opportunities to contribute to the latter in ways that might be better for society than anything cupid has to offer.
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