Imagination is everything

Because all good things start with imagination.

In this newsletter

+ Imagination has been top of mind and is a big theme for my new website rebuild. Let me tell you why.

+ I drew a hierarchy pyramid diagram and made a drawing process video too.

+ A fantastic book recommendation on the power of imagination.

+ A fun, horizon-expanding Imagination Game to play with a group of mates.

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Imagination

Imagination is everything. It is the preview of coming attractions.

— Albert Einstein

I think he was on to something.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time recently, thinking about the journey it takes to initiate a climate action project, and how imagination is an essential step along the way.

Whether it be a holistic hen habitat, a produce-no-waste potluck party, or a defend the dugong donation drive, there are a few steps to take before we can jump into action.

Before taking action we need to pause and intentionally plan or design for the outcome we want, and before stepping into the design phase, there is always a spark of inspiration from our imagination.

Our imaginations are a truly powerful phenomenon. Every single human-made thing you can see around you was imagined and designed by a human - that also includes things you can’t see like processes and systems.

But critically, to be able to imagine, design, and take action is to be in a privileged position. When our basic human needs, such as food, shelter, safety, and income are being met, only then do we have the extra bandwidth to dream, design, and act.

With that in mind, I’ve created an Action-erarchy - The hierarchy of Positive Action.

The proverb ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ certainly rings true. It speaks to our ability to think and create on our feet, in times of lack. But I think often in the climate action space if we are deeply occupied with getting by day-to-day, we have little capacity to initiate a positive climate action project.

Designing a system to de-supermarket our lives or a process that enables us to cycle to work instead of driving, for instance, takes an extra oomph to step outside of the hyper-convenience that capitalism serves up to us every day.

It’s not our fault though, the capitalism machine is huge and has a powerful hold over our lives. It disincentivises us by making high-food-miles, highly processed food, and jumping in the car the easy option to get our basic needs met.

Basic human needs come first. Then if we’re in a privileged position to poke our head above that bottom layer of the Action-erarchy, we might have space to engage our imagination, design something positive for the world, and put our plan into action.

Book Recco + Imagination Game

Rob Hopkins is an imagination hero of mine. I read his book, From What Is to What If a few years ago, and it firmly lodged in my psyche. He talks about how ‘we do have the capability to effect dramatic change…but we’re failing because we’ve largely allowed our most critical tool to languish: human imagination’.

Hopkins speaks about how often we are on the hampster wheel, super busy, doing the doing. It’s easy to get wrapped up in action, and not spare a moment to sit and imagine the future we are working so feverishly towards.

Here’s Rob Hopkins' beautiful vision for 2030.

Inspired by this book, at any opportunity I get I facilitate a group circle game that holds space for everyone to dream.

Everyone in the circle engages their imagination to build a collective vision for the future - it makes the group fizz with inspiration and togetherness.

It riffs on the classic drama sports ‘yes, and…’ technique. The first person starts the game by saying ‘In the future, there is** … and then they say what they imagine for the future.

It might be community composting stations, excellent cycle-ways, edible street verges, localised food security, ethical and transparent politics, a zero-growth economy, universal basic income, health care or education, 3 chickens in every yard, a slower pace, more kindness... and so on.

Then the next person builds on the vision by saying ‘Yes! And…’ then they add their vision for the future. And so on around the circle.

After one trip around the circle, we often build such a beautiful vision that we all want to go around the circle again - we always thoroughly enjoy having the space to imagine.

**Using is instead of will be is important here, it helps to create a feeling that the future is already happening.

A moment of spoon carving in the orchard, before we leaped into the Imagination Game at our recent Permaculture Skillshare weekend.

Highlights from my fresh new website

Things are looking pretty fresh over at my website - I’ve been noodling away at it since the beginning of the year.

Here’s a screenshot for a bit of a sneak peek…

I’ve woven through the themes of imagination and localisation - expanding on that a bit on my About page.

I dive into where my imagination takes me when I think about the future. In doing so, my imagination gives me a clear picture of where my focus needs to be now, so I can be a positive agent in making my vision for the future come alive.

I’m an advocate for the power of our imagination to help us build a better future, because all good change starts with imagination.

My vision is that the future is local.

I imagine edible things growing in every yard, and on every nature strip. Communities who are activated + sharing what’s abundant, and governments and industry at every level putting the planet before profit.

And all this stuff is no longer called climate action, it’s just normal everyday goings-on.

So engaging my imagination as locally as possible to make this a reality is my quest.

There’s also a portfolio of selected projects on my website, and a free resource, called the Community Event Marketing Plan, which I’m excited to dedicate a whole newsletter to shortly - but if you need to promote a community event with limited marketing skills and zero budget, you can find it here.

Also, here is an ongoing list of great links for books, podcasts, films, etc, that I’ve loved, and maybe you will too.

Yours in imagination + localisation.