Ripple Effects

So South American. I spotted this message on a cafe window in Buenos Aires back in July. Just get over the whole global meltdown scenario, it was saying to me, and let’s get on with life.

Compare that to a group of people I recently overheard in conversation. To a person, they were lamenting the state of the world today. In most circles, we’d call them prophets of doom. And the pending holocausts (at least in their minds) almost seemed to be something that they wanted to see. Blowed if I know, but they appeared to be getting their kicks out of believing that something terrible is imminent.

Part of the issue, for me, is that this group of people live in one of the most affluent countries on the planet, every one of them has permanent employment, and, as far as I could tell, they seemed to be reasonably healthy. Well, physically anyway. In the most literal sense of the expression, they really do need to get a life.

Now don’t get me wrong here. Perhaps there will be a series of difficult issues up ahead. I’m no Pollyanna; and I support the contentions that the world presently is carrying too much debt, and that we need to act on global warming immediately, and that there are still massive gaps between the haves and have-nots on a wide variety of resource issues.

However, I also know that the collective human spirit, when suitably inspired, will overcome anything. Without exception. Our history is replete with examples of this application of spirit.

However (and it’s a BIG however), it’s still a matter of individual and collective choice as to whether or not we make the effort to release that spirit. We each, and together, create our own lives through the choices that we make every day.

Here’s an abject reality. If you think that your life is going to be miserable, it probably will be.

Here’s another reality. If 6.7 billion people think that the world has a miserable future, then it probably will be.

The concept of self-fulfilling prophecies is more than just a theory. It is often referred to as the Pygmalion Effect. The self-fulfilling prophecy, in other words. If you are convinced that something is going to happen, it actually is more likely to occur. You will sub-consciously (and sometimes even consciously) create situations that are more likely to take place.

So, given all of that, I have two questions for you:

Q.1. Out of ten, what would you predict the next five years of your life to be like? (one would be horrendous, five would be OK, ten would be extraordinary)

Q. 2. Out of ten, what would you predict the next five years of life on this planet to be like?

I’m giving myself a 9.5, and the world a 9. And you know what? I’ll bet that, for me, it’ll probably be about right. So what are your scores?

And here’s my very specific point about all of this. What’s the average score for all of humanity right now? Because, whatever it is, that’s probably where we’ll end up.

And that’s why, when I overhear groups of people in conversation, I would hope to hear people talking about the inspiring possibilities, in which we will collectively release our human ingenuity and spirit.

In your very next dialogue, please focus on the inspiration of solution. And encourage others to do the same.

Only in South America could you find some toilets that are this colourful! And this wasn’t an abberation on the norm either. This sense of vitality was evident in many of the places that I visited in Chile, Peru and Argentina in the past two weeks.

Given my world wanderings, I’m pondering my learnings during that time. I sometimes wonder if I’m downright weird (!!?), or perhaps even normal (even more doubtful); however, I don’t just sit back and enjoy wherever I travel in the world. I keep thinking about my learning/s. Do you all do the same thing? Or do I just think too much??

Regardless, here are three of those learnings:

* Lesson One: Take Endless Photos. When I carry a camera with me, with express intent to take photos, I look around more carefully. A great attitude to have about life in general. Maybe I need to live everyday life like this. And I especially look for the quirky, and/or the simple examples that demonstrate how people really live. I love side alleys (during the daylight); I love graffiti (as long as it demonstrates some wit and wisdom); I delight in the silly messages that are written on shop windows.

* Lesson Two: Be grateful for what you have. Visiting less affluent countries is always a wake-up call to how lucky I am by birth. I felt especially troubled by Peru’s capital, Lima. I’ve never seen so much barbed wire per kilometre. An unsettling place. And populated by many young people who appear to not have much to do. I can tell you now that books about being Happy, Healthy and Wealthy will not sell well in places such as this. As I walked around, I counted my blessings that I would soon travel back to a country that was safe, clean, and especially, had clear skies.

* Lesson Three: It’s often the little things that count. People everywhere appreciate the small things that you do. I usually travel with a collection of little toy koalas, and whenever I’m impressed with what someone does (eg a great tour guide), I present them with one of the koalas. At one stage, I stayed at a motel in Santiago, and gave one of these toys to the very impressive desk attendant. Well… word got around the place, and two days later, I had been asked for one of these koalas by two other people who worked there. They wanted one for their bambinos, they said. And judging by their response at receiving a koala, it made their day. What a simple way to spread international goodwill.

What’s goin’ on around here??! Is it really possible that the concept of collective consciousness is about to become an everyday reality??!! Could we soon see millions of people from all corners of the planet who are collaborating on solutions to planetary issues? Will we eventually become a united learning entity, fully engaged in inquiry on a range of social, scientific and educational issues? Get ready for the Collective Classroom.

The annual Horizon Report outlines some core possibilities on near-future applications to higher education (and, eventually, I believe, to other ed levels). Some neat stuff here. On the ‘near-horizon’ (less than one year to mainstream take-up), they discuss Grassroots Video and Collaboration Webs. On the mid-horizon (2 to 3 yrs), they list Mobile Broadband and Data Mashups, while Social Operating Systems and Collective Intelligence feature on the Far Horizon (4 to 5 yrs from now).

This concept of Collective Intelligence is really sparking me. Some points about it can be found here. I’m probably spinning too hard here, yet I believe that we’re seeing the early emergence of a valid everyday application of collective consciousness around the world. A Classroom of Collective Intelligence. Too far-fetched? Maybe. Maybe not.

The Collective Classroom could involve hundreds of millions of students being supported by millions of teachers. One day, I’ll have a go at drafting out more of the possible details of this concept. Admittedly, for now, it’s more in my heart than my head. A gut feeling. Yet I’ll bet that it happens sooner rather than later.

Have a look at this video. Four minutes of collaboration from musicians everywhere. Just imagine music / art / scientific experiments / philosophies / learning experiences being crafted in a similar manner.

And on a much more simple and lighter note (so to speak), check this piece of music out. Obviously, there is nothing new to connective ventures. What will become exhilarating will be the breadth and depth of these collaborations.

Whew. How much longer is the world going to cope with comprehensive social injustices that cannot be sustained??

This video goes for 6 mins. The first 2 of those seem to drift a little. Hang in on it. And if you do linger for the total time, I dare you to stay ambivalent about this issue.

Are you familiar with the concept of Pay It Forward? A neat little book, and movie, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Well, I am. And so I’ve teamed up with a Sydney colleague called Blake Beattie to offer a variation on this Pay It Forward.

It’s called Donate It Forward, and it’s meant to challenge people on the way that they’ll make use of our prime minister’s largesse. Namely, the $900 handout that will soon end up in many Aussie’s pockets.

So, rather than just spend it on yourself, we’re asking people to donate part or all of it to a registered charity that could most definitely make use of the money.

Our initial target is that 10 000 people will donate $50 each. A total of $500 000. And just imagine the possibilities if a million people donated $500 each. I can only dream.

And yet, who knows. The world is giving us messages right now about our selfish selves. Maybe it’s about time that we learned to recognise that we’re all in this scene together. And sometimes, that means that we need to support others who are less fortunate.

For a change, believe what you hear in the media. The devastation of these bushfires is horrendous, and has impacted in the most profound manner upon countless people.

I’ve stood in the very same place that this photo wad taken, and I struggle to believe that this entire area has been devastated by the Victorian bushfires. Lives have been lost within metres of this street.

Several of my very close friends in the affected regions have convinced me that the past few days have been beyond human comprehension. Truly, the gates of hell were left open for just a little too long.

Many of you who read this blog are involved with schools. I’m going to offer a very pragmatic way that you can help.

In Australia, a non-profit organisation called School Aid co-ordinates fundraising and support when a serious disaster occurs. I know all about this organisation, because I’ve been involved with it for years.

Here’s how it works.

School Aid raise funds from schools throughout Australia and overseas, and then distributes those funds to those most in need after the disaster. We’ve apportioned well over a milllion dollars to kids in Beslan, to kids in post-tsunami Indonesia, and to children devastated by last year’s earthquakes in China.

We guarantee that 90% of the funds that are raised are distributed to the victims of the disaster. This is enshrined in our charter, and administered by our relevant legal authorities.

Here’s what you can do. Go and register here, and then encourage your students to raise money for children who were devastated by this natural disaster. Tell other schools how you raised the money (if you wish, although you don’t have to), or simply send what you raise to our fund.

If you live outside Australia, and you are asked to choose a state in which you live, pick any one of them. Sorry, we haven’t adjusted this in time to take account of the immediate need of this disaster.

Once you raise the monies that are collected by your school, we will then distribute those funds to support young victims of the Victorian fires. This will be reported on our website, so that you can then tell your own students what happened to the money that they raised.

I’ve worked with schools in Australia, Asia, New Zealand, the US and Canada, and I ask every one of them to get involved. This is not just an Australian issue. This is a world issue. If a similar tragedy occurred in any of those locations, Australian kids would contribute significantly. And they have. I ask you to do the same.