… seems to be a project where every cell is co-birthing something/someone new they themselves will be the body of. I’m wondering – are they aware of what or “whom” they are birthing? To what extent does it feel completely new and to what extent does it feel familiar?
In 2005 in Israel a seed sprouted and grew into a palm tree – after 2000 years.
Yes, you read that right. The seed was formed over 2000 years ago and then remained a seed. Seeds seem to be somehow “sleeping”. Then one moment, unfolding was possible. Suddenly after all this time, the surrounding conditions allowed for it to awaken.
I like to think as humans, maybe we are similar? That only when conditions allow for them, some aspects sleeping inside of us unfold. The contidions need not be optimal. But they need to be present.
Story of the tree: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tree-grown-2000-year-old-seed-has-reproduced-180954746/
A few weeks ago I applied for a role. An hour ago I got an email from a representative:
“We have […] and are gonna invite some candidates for an interview. Unfortunately […]”
They started by informing the ones who are out! That felt good. I felt respected.
A room is as safe as the readiness to defend it. In a garden, if I sow a plant and put up a sign saying it must not be eaten – is that enough? If a rabbit starts to gnaw on it and I say “I condemn strongly” – is that enough? How set am I on the idea of the plant growing in peace? Do I have smart tools like a small protective fence or a milieu where the rabbit can still its hunger with something else?
Here’s one for the psychonaut. In the first minutes of this video you will have a glimpse of a “metaverse” meeting.
Even knowing I see a representation, it seems satisfying enough to relax into “this-is-where-I-am-dwelling-mode”.
Wonder how these experiences will affect my being in the “normal world”?
The “it” needs to be chosen by the client
Would I have something to offer?
Would I have something to bring?
What?
You know the deal: You suggest something and someone else fights it. Then other folks notice “oh, if I support this idea, I might receive my share of the fighting”.
Is there another way?
What if, before entering the conversation, everyone “in the room” would have agreed to specific “rules of engagement”?
To benefit from all the potentially useful, but still unexpressed “pieces of the puzzle”, I want to make the environment friendly to expressing thoughts. The basic pattern I use for supporting “swarm intelligence” is to:
- Allow all ideas to be expressed
- Then, invite support and contribution to any idea the patricipants want to support
This way, ideas without support will wither away of their own accord, and ideas with support will evolve.
So what would an opt-in agreement look like in practice?
One opt-in agreement I’ve used when posing questions on Facebook has been:
- No commenting on other people’s answers
- Clarifying questions are ok
- Instead of commenting, bring your own answer to the question.
- When you see something you want to support, use the like-button
When I am safe among people I am protected by rules, principles, culture – and in the last sense – by another person.
Have you ever had someone stand up for you? An encouraging feeling, isn’t it?
I can focus more fully on the task when I have been acknowledged as an equal. This is what so-called check-ins are for.