Winter has been gusting and swirling through our idyllic city. I’ve been meaning to write more often, and haven’t. Then today, I received my monthly briefing from Trend Watching, and the ‘innovation avalanche’ is quite inspiring. Some of the trends indicate that a ‘What if’ from yesterday may be possible.
Here are examples of autonomy, greater self-governance blooming in the world:
Scottish Tennent’s Lager has launched Tennent’s Mutual, a new music venture that will ultimately result in a live music festival later this year in which fans select artists, debate locations for gigs and call the shots on ticket prices. To kick off the effort, Tennent’s created a start-up fund of GBP 150,000. Fans are given founder member status and the right to vote on the who-what-why-where of all decisions made and how the start-up money is invested. Ticket income, meanwhile, will be ploughed back into the central fund, which will be used to bankroll other live events.
The Point takes the notion of the tipping point—that point at which group action will produce a clear result and inevitable change—and applies it to organizing group efforts. Those who join a campaign pledge to take specific action—to boycott a company, for example, or donate funds toward a cause—but no one actually acts until the campaign reaches its preset tipping point, or number of pledged participants. When that point is reached, however, the action is triggered and participants make their donations, attend an event or boycott as planned.
Be inspired as often as you can, it’s soul food.
Till soon, W
