Editor’s note: I am pleased to announce the release of my latest co-authored book, The RE Generation: Sowing the Seeds for a Future of Reimagination, Reconnection, and Regeneration. It will be officially released July 6, 2022, but copies are available on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble today. At its heart, the book is an optimistic look at the future and how a growing cadre of individuals and organizations are reimagining and redesigning a better world. The book also offers readers a practical set of tools and techniques for how you, too, can become a part of “The RE Generation.”
In the spirit of the new book, this week’s edition of the “Friday Future Five” will reclassifying the five “thinking” categories around the themes of reuniting mind and heart; reimagination, reexamination, reframing, and redesigning.
Reunion of Mind and Heart: We like to think of the mind and heart as separate things, but what if they aren’t? Think of a shoreline. Is it sand or sea? Or is it a unique combination of both? This article about your mind not being confided to your brain or even your body will give you some food for thought.
Reimagination: Everything we now take for granted–farming, commerce, money, democracy, etc.–was first imagined into existence by humans. With this in mind, let’s keep some space in our minds–and our hearts–for ideas that sound implausible or even impossible. One such idea is this concept from an architect who wants to create buildings that float in the sky. (Hint: It’s not as implausible as it sounds.)
Reexamination: Is modern society locked into the 40-hour, five-day-a-week workweek? Of course not. Many countries and companies are now reexamining this relic of the 20th century. It is possible that many companies will begin doing the same. As they do, ask yourself this: Where will many people prefer to work–your company or one that offers a 4-day work week?
Reframing: Must a business be either for-profit or not-for-profit? Not necessarily. For example, this company Who Gives a Crap (which is not profiled in the new book) dedicates 50 percent of its profits from its toilet paper business to address sanitation and water issues in less developed areas of the world.
Redesign: Climate change is real and there are people and organizations working feverishly to redesign the world in a healthier and more regenerative manner. One of my favorite projects is the Great Green Wall–a 5,000 mile “wall” across the north of Africa which is being designed and built to address both climate change and food insecurity.
