Update 5: NOVEMBER 11, 2019
Heading into the sixth and final week of the Superstruct movement (Phase One), we were struck by this visual overview of the tremendously diverse issues we 'structers have been grappling with: a stunning Tag Garden, put together by SEHI Tony Fisk, which all can help to maintain. Scrolling down, you'll see many of the elements that have emerged as critical themes for those of us focused on the Ravenous Superthreat: Agriculture, Education, Farming, Gardening, Self Sufficiency, Sustainability, Urban Gardening, Water, Food Production -- and of course Food itself. The key word that has been running through much of this week's activity, however, is Hope -- and how we can start turning it into a reality.
It's an ambitious task, but then again, the Ravenous-related 'structs with greatest vitality (in the form of new members) over the last week all have big ambitions too. Bright Green, an engine of environmentally-sensitive-yet-technologically-sophisticated innovation, continues to thrive, with over 50 SEHIs now aboard; Beyond Capitalism, a movement to change the global economic system, founded in week two, has more than doubled its membership; and Augmented University, a distributed learning system using augmented reality, also mentioned last week, continues to attract new members. These are all excellent places to begin if you're joining us for the final push.
One characteristically Superstruct-like big-picture idea that has steadily gained new adherents, while oriented entirely to the cultural "technology" of values and habits rather than dazzling techniques, is Think Fast. Slow Down. It was founded to encourage reduced food consumption through fasting -- perhaps leveraging the world's religions to do so. We must not underestimate the survival-enhancing potential in designing new myths, and new rituals to accompany them.
Meanwhile, taking another approach altogether, undoubtedly the boldest new Superstructure in the Ravenous space this week was insects4food, the brainchild of SEHI azampagna in Italy. Its objective is as simple as it is shocking: to feed the world with insects. (If you still balk at lab-grown meat, it's just possible that you haven't yet come to terms with the seriousness of our predicament!) So, could insect farms and insect-derived foodstuffs really help us solve the protein crisis? Quite possibly. The scale and seriousness of the problems we face are proving to be such that no idea ought to be rejected instantly as too outlandish -- indeed, it may be that, as pioneering futurist Jim Dator has said for many decades, any useful statement about the future should appear to be ridiculous.
At the same time, the practical measures of ordinary SEHIs to combat Ravenous in their own ways and locations continue to impress us. ProfRule has been planning a co-operative venture with his suburban neighbours, under which the fences separating their yards were due to be torn down yesterday. Elizabeth Merritt has been documenting the challenges of moving towards food self-sufficiency for her family SEHI zoefirestar is building on her membership of the Urban Food Producers Coop Superstruct by getting involved in her local Community Garden Network, and has started an Ottawa chapter of Educycle. Also, those of you lamenting the closure of your local supermarket may like check again, as reports suggest that some are being turned into Freecycle Shops.
Now, with the window of the official Superstruct Project soon to close, many of us are working to take the discussions, tales and Superstructures that have been most encouraging or inspiring, and integrate them into our everyday lives. To this end 2019Beverly dares to dream that her 'struct Foundation of Hope may one day evolve into Connections of Hope, as the networks we are currently forming lead to bigger and better things. The importance of central enabling hubs in such networks is illustrated by SEHI Alarica, whose Library/Museum workplace is acting as a vital source of information and sharing in her rural community -- very much like what the Superstruct site has been for ours. One way of helping to crystallise the practical solutions offered by your Superstruct is to turn it into a How-To Guide, which Marco Antonio will add for you into his New World Report. Also busy turning Superstructure ideas into realities, the ever-enterprising Ineffabelle has founded SuperStartups, and together with SEHI PonyXpress has established a Superstruct Shop, which is now open for business.
As we take stock of what we've accomplished already -- and consider where to focus our efforts in this final week -- you may like to share your reflections on what has changed for you in the weeks since the GEAS report and the start of the Superstruct project. What are the most important changes have you seen in your life and in your community? What remains to be done? Discuss it here.
SEHIs far and wide: This is our time. No matter whether you've just joined us, or if you've been a stalwart supporter of this bold experiment from day one, the world needs you. We've extended our collective life expectation by a decade in just five weeks, but as far as GEAS eyes can see, the years ahead remain lean, and as we write these words, many among us are still Ravenous. Keep telling your stories, raving, discussing -- and especially, making award nominations -- while building the Superstructures which will serve as the foundation for those who come next. Because, while it's true that Hope remains an important watchword, Action is where the smart energy is going as we enter the home stretch.
As mudmama says, quoting a wise friend: "Hope without action is just another four-letter word."
~futuryst (Stuart Candy, Honolulu, Hawaii) & mrjudkins (Josh Judkins, Wellington, New Zealand), 11 November 2019
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