Is this a good time to tell a new story about what our common human needs really are?

I don't have a direct answer Naomi, but I resonate deeply with your question. My own work seeks to illuminate the value of heart wisdom and heart-centred qualities and to bring them into serious conversation at the socio-political level. I agree that this pandemic is particularly equalising; highlighting what is necessary and what could now be considered frivolous. Numerous recent news articles and social media posts talk particularly about the importance of acts of kindness, love, compassion, the value of the arts and nature at this time, and the need to do things differently beyond the crisis to create a world that works for everyone. There has never been a more potent time to act in my view. But how to act, what to do...these are the questions. How to shift human consciousness into realising the fundamental, deep inter-connectivity of basic needs. The human imagination is very powerful. Given the value of the arts in our society at this time, perhaps there could be a vivid visioning of how a different world could potentially look? Could this take place through storytelling or poetry, for example?

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I definitely feel the potency of this moment too (as do so many I think), as well as the uncertainty about what action to take...and I think this question itself is stalling me a bit. Looking for THE action that will be MOST effective and the RIGHT people with the RIGHT skills to collaborate with...

I agree that stories and poetry can be so powerful (will definitely look in to James Hillman) but i'm not sure everyone is open to listening.The things that trigger deep insights in people are so varied... perhaps a commitment to a message rather than a strategy is more important? A message or story that different creatives can run with in their unique ways so that a wider range of 'unique individuals' can be reached. Perhaps such a collective of 'activist artists' already exists?? I am of course aware of the logistical and funding issues this could entail when compared to a uniform campaign...

I am currently reading 'From What Is to What If' by Rob Hoskins at the moment, so am quite enamored with the idea of using questions to provoke reflection and trigger imagination. They seem like a lovely way to invite people to think about and perhaps tell their own story from a perspective they may not have considered before. Some interesting questions on this topic could include:

"What if we continue to buy only what we need?"

"What if the economy filled the needs of the 98% rather than the pockets of the 2%?"

"What if it didn't take a pandemic to illuminate what's really important?"

...will keep thinking...it's fun :)

My husband and I have been so inspired by this idea that we have decided to stick stickers around our city with short yet thought provoking 'what if' questions on them. Our first one will be 'What if we don't go back to business as usual?' The primary objective is just to invite people stop and think for a moment, but we have also put a facebook address on the stickers where we plan to share all the exciting projects and ideas (like A/UK) that make 'another way' seem more possible...a sort of portal to new possibilities. We are still working on this so I will let you know how it goes!

Love the stickers idea Naomi!

Yes, Naomi. Totally resonating with potency of the moment, and uncertainty in relation to action. Perhaps a combination of things. I am currently exploring fantasy story and animation (I should have some of these on my website in the next few weeks). I also like your idea of stickers asking questions - I have found this approach personally very powerful in the past. Particularly opening the possibility to ask and explore questions that we don't often have the chance to ask or explore. Returning to the idea of the imagination, this is also very powerful. In line with the 'what if' idea, perhaps we could also have a selection of 'imaginings' for our collective futures. 'Imagine if we created a different world', 'imagine if the future we created worked for everyone', 'imagine if we did not return to business as usual'. Imagining is very powerful as it just requires the imagination - it eases someone into the exploration without them having to feel scared they have to actually do it! But, once they have had the opportunity for imagining, very often people feel like they cannot go back to what they once knew. These approaches are quite gentle I feel. Would love to keep in touch on this and keep exploring :)

I really like this format using the word 'imagine'. It is a very subtly different invitation to 'what if' and could perhaps induce a clearer image. For me, this diversity of 'ways in' seems really important. Perhaps it could be fun to frame the same question in several different ways then ask A/UK members which one they find more thought provoking?

Being a big fan of fantasy, I am very excited that you are working on a story and animation. Can't wait to see it! Wouldn't it be amazing if a series as popular as Game of Thrones could be created to depict the fight to save our planet. To romanticize the struggle against climate change and make it seem like an exciting adventure, to paint a new picture of the environmentalist movement as heroic and offer a clear picture of the exciting emergent possibilities for a new way of living... and then there could be a computer game where you get the highest score for fighting the 'monsters of consumerism' to achieve a zero carbon footprint...

I may be getting a little carried away here but fun to think about :)

Hi Naomi and Louise,

Sorry to come to this a bit late. I am the author of the piece Naomi referenced and I am pleased to hear that you are interested in the Human Scale Development framework. My work focuses very much on the storytelling aspect of behaviour change so this is a very rich conversation for me!

I love all the different ideas bouncing around - poetry, stickers, street art - I think we need all these ways of communicating because, as was mentioned, there are so many different audiences we want to reach.

One of the things I am working on at the moment is a series of visions for a post-Covid world as I think it is so important to have a vision to work towards, particularly when there is so little certainty. I think the role of the imagination is absolutely vital right now. I can share more if you are interested.

Meanwhile have a look at my website if you would like to know a bit more about HSD and my work. www.growinggoodlives.com

I hope we can pick up this thread and look forward to co-creating!

Inez :-)

Hi Inez, lovely to hear from you. I don't know if you remember, but we have actually connected a few years previously via Skype. I completed the MSc Holistic Science at Schumacher College in 2014 and I was particularly interested in exploring conflict. Since then, I have completed a PhD at Canterbury Christ Church University looking at how the thought of the heart could support humanity to co-create a future that flourishes for all. I have a website www.heartsenseresearch.co.uk. It would be great to chat further with you and Naomi about ways forward in a post-Covid world. I am practising a kind of imaginal, heart-based, Goethean enquiry inspired approach with Coronavirus at the moment; sitting in the discomfort of the not knowing and inviting the world to speak to me. I feel this is all about exploring new ways, developing new language and approaches to sense-make, not necessarily reaching for solutions. Perhaps we can talk further? Warm wishes, Louise

Hi Louise,

Of course I remember you! I kept looking at your name and thinking I know you, but didn't put the two together.

Great to connect here again. Would be good to chat some time. A the moment I am slightly inundated with online meetings so maybe in a few weeks? I have signed up for Sunday's co-creators meeting. Will you be there?

Meanwhile I will check out your project.

See you soon.

Inez

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That's wonderful! Yes, I'm quite swamped too for the next few weeks, but it'd be great to reconnect sometime next month. Would be good to get Naomi along too. I will be at the co-creators meeting on Sunday so look forward to seeing you there. I've also been checking out your project - really inspiring. See you Sunday. Warm wishes, Louise x

Lovely to see this conversation re-ignited :-) I would love to meet with you both in a few weeks. Let me know when you both have more time.

Inez, I just had a quick look at your website and am excited to delve deeper. I love the idea of 'barefoot economics'. I am looking forward to hearing more about your visions of a post-covid world... I have been doing a 'what if' meditation that works on the same principle and it is amazing how much hope and motivation it generates...I see it as very heart-based Louise...I love how this all seems to weave together so effortlessly :)