by Laura Kennett We are not only in the midst of a global pandemic; we are also experiencing a convergence of several global crises that are shedding light on glaring weaknesses in our systems, including: Global climate change, Global oil market collapse, Global fracturing of truth in social media, and Global rise in right-wing movements. What kind of a cluster f&#% … Read More
An Opportunity for Civilizational Change
Image: Jason Wong, Unsplash by Elizabeth Dozois “There seems little doubt that we are currently in the midst of one of the great critical transitions of the human journey, and yet it is not at all clear where we will end up once our current system resolves into a newly stable state.” (Jeremy Lent1) “Never let a good crisis go … Read More
Deep Voices
A view from Kim’s window, as she reflected on the pandemic, west of Calgary, March 2020. Kim was inspired to write this poem after an Alumni Community Call, reflecting on the voices we pay attention to in order to understand current events and possible paths forward. by Kim Rowe It is quieter now. Listen. Do you hear the deep voices? … Read More
The Upside of COVID-19: What Gifts Does the Global Health Crisis Offer?
A man plays guitar as part of Italy’s musical event organized to raise morale for COVID-19. Image: REUTERS/Massimo Pinca by Elizabeth Dozois Do you find yourself tearing up when you see videos of people singing to one another from their balconies? Are you moved by the multiple acts of kindness and solidarity we’ve seen over the past few weeks? Disasters bring … Read More
Recommended Reading from 2019
By Ken Low The following list of books includes those that were either drawn on in 2019 to support our on-going explorations and programming or were acquired in recognition that they filled a gap and could be useful in the future. There is some overlap with 2018 selections and a few that were acquired to be read in 2020. I … Read More
Why Pay Attention to This
Image: Iceberg off the Grey Glacier in the southern Patagonia Icefields in southern Chile & Argentina in 2019. The border between Chile and Argentina is considered to be the continental divide, but the exact location of the border is being further defined as the ice fields retreat. By Laura Kennett There is a lot of messed up stuff going on in … Read More
Poetry from Another Part of the Capitalist Machine
by Anonymous This is a collection of poems from someone named Xu Lizhi. He was a Chinese migrant worker who worked at Foxconn corporation. Foxconn is one of the pillars of our western society. It manufactures many of our smart phones, computers, monitors, televisions, videogame systems, and other electronics. A lot of the high tech stuff that we personally value, and that … Read More
On Either Side of Memory
by Ken Low Memory is a critically important part of adaptive intelligence. The function of memory is to record and store relevant aspects of experience and observation, providing the material out of which we construct the lessons that guide our actions and further learning. Some lessons come almost automatically, like not touching a hot stove, some require a mentor or … Read More
Inoculating Ourselves Against Ignorance
Inoculating Ourselves Against Ignorance by Natalie Muyres We recently kicked off our ninth Human Venture Leadership Alumni Program. The Alumni Program provides us an opportunity to support each other’s learning, and work harder toinoculate ourselves against ignorance. Like our immune systems need exposure to viruses to create antibodies, our community requires ongoing exposure to a steady diet of significant life … Read More
The Mystery and Mastery of Strategic Thinking
There is a show on Netflix called Churchill’s Secret Agents: The New Recruits. The reality show takes people from today and puts them through the Special Operatives Executive (SOE) training implemented by the British during WWII. Imagine pulling on your itchy wool socks and heavy felted uniform to master the art of using a hair pin to pick a lock, … Read More