Seeds of a Good Anthropocene | Elena Bennett

TL;DR

In the Anthropocene, where humans have emerged as a significant force in shaping the planet, it is important to imagine and develop innovative and inspiring scenarios for a sustainable future. The project focuses on identifying and scaling up "seeds" of positive change that exist in various forms, such as technological innovations or community initiatives. By exploring different scenarios and promoting pluralism, novelty, and radicalism, this project aims to envision and create a better world that integrates human societies and the Earth's systems.

Transcript

good evening i'm alexander rose i'm the executive director here at the long now foundation the season is upon us that about half of long now's general fund comes from this time of year so i'm obligated to remind you that you know many of you are members and thank you that's about half of our general budget the other half is really uh donations that... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌱 The project focuses on identifying and promoting "seeds" of positive change for a sustainable future.
• 🌍 Scenarios and visions help inspire and motivate individuals and communities to contribute to a sustainable world.
• ⚖️ Seeds can scale up, scale out, or scale deep, depending on their ability to grow and spread their impact.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the significance of thinking about scenarios and visions for a sustainable future?

Scenarios and visions help us understand and explore possibilities for the future. By imagining positive and innovative scenarios, we can inspire and motivate individuals and communities to take actions that contribute to a sustainable world.

Q: How can these "seeds" of positive change scale and grow?

Seeds can scale up by growing in place to become larger and more influential. They can also scale out by replicating their models and spreading to new locations. Furthermore, seeds can scale deep by creating new types of change and transforming existing systems.

Q: Are there any examples of seeds that challenge traditional liberal ideologies?

While the majority of seeds collected so far may align with liberal ideologies, there is potential for diverse ideas and perspectives. The project aims to explore a wide range of seeds to capture diverse views on what constitutes a sustainable and just future.

Q: How does religion play a role in storytelling about environmental stewardship?

While religion can play a role in shaping stories and perceptions about environmental stewardship, the project has not yet collected many seeds with strong religious influences. However, it is important to consider various cultural and belief systems in envisioning a sustainable future.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The project aims to identify and promote innovative "seeds" of positive change that contribute to a sustainable future.

• These seeds can be technological innovations, community initiatives, or novel ways of thinking and living.

• By exploring different scenarios and enabling pluralism, novelty, and radicalism, the project seeks to envision and create a better world that integrates human societies and the Earth's systems.