There is a great deal of caring, conserving, creating, innovating, entrepreneuring, protecting, advocating for all life on earth (human, plant and animal) that is done by so-called ordinary people. A quick scan of my friends and neighbours reveals C. who … Read More
Yearly Archives: 2016
Story Money Impact
So much going on. Each of the following deserves more attention. Ever wonder about the health of documentary filmmaking? Its financing? Its commitment to social justice? Its ‘competitors amidst Youtube, Vimeo and other emerging social platforms? Tracey Friesen has done … Read More
Fear and Loathing and Social Change
Perpetuating fear, shame or loathing can backfire on you. They beget more of the same. They give people a chance to avoid changing. Why? Because change means risk and risk evokes fear. This pretty much guarantees your message and hard work … Read More
A Robust Society is a Feminist Society
Feminist as in women and men making the world a better place together. As in honouring all life. As in being able to do more than one thing at the same time such as taking care of our children, families, … Read More
When Einstein’s Scared I’m Scared
That line from the anti-nuclear bomb folksong “Atomic Talking Blues” has been swirling around my brain since the release of recommendations by the joint Parliamentary Committee on physician-assisted dying. The song refers to Einstein’s sober conclusion that we are not … Read More
Unleashing the Okanagan – Ten Noteworthy Social Innovations
Few would deny the importance of geography, soil composition, climate, sunlight and other growing conditions to produce memorable wine. In wine making this is, of course, referred to as ‘terroir’. The Okanagan Valley of British Columbia has a fine grasp … Read More
Social innovation isn’t a matter of choice for many people
It’s a matter of survival. A major source of social innovation is rooted in the challenges of ordinary life. Our creativity when faced with a predicament, defines us as a species. It’s not a specialty reserved for a few. People’s … Read More
Beware of the Status Quo Values of Social Technologies
I’ve heard Nora Young the smart host of CBC’s Spark end her radio show with the wish that her listeners understand that all technologies come embedded with values and assumptions. Furthermore, she emphasizes, those values are those of the dominant culture. … Read More
Eight Questions for Thinking and Acting Like a Movement
Profound social change requires movements. Movements open our hearts and minds. They create the favourable political conditions for legislative change, resource allocation and policy shifts. The recent Paris Climate Agreement would not have happened without a global, grassroots climate movement … Read More
Mother D’Youville – A Woman of Note
Canada’s Finance Minister says he wants to feature more women on Canadian banknotes. Seizing the opportunity, CBC’s radio show DNTO asked listeners to nominate women they would like to see on the $20.00 bill. I doubt anyone would disagree with the … Read More