Serendipity and super hero glasses
#1 in the series, Mixing Magic: the secret sauce of humanising an industry that’s possibly the dullest on the planet as well as having the greatest potential to reverse global warming
It’s the end of a long day at a rather
dull conference on urban design with just too many panel sessions populated
with Very Important People. I’m slouched in my chair. When will formalities
close so we can move onto the pub and networking? Then a man in flowered Doc
Martens, Mark Shayler, excitedly bounces onto stage and invites
us all to become super heroes. Bizarre.
I know this man. We were at the same
university in another space time dimension. Last century. On the other side of
the planet. I wore Doc Martens then too.
Later, in a loud bar, I’m having a
shouted (and possibly a bit drunken) conversation with Mark and
this guy Phil
Wilkinson from AIRAH,
about humanity needing a new story. I tell them I’m learning the ancient art of
oral storytelling so I can tell the new story.
Since then I caught up with Phil once
or twice. I don’t really know him.
Earlier this year, I’m lounging in bed
having a lazy breakfast and listening to the radio. A text messages arrives.
It’s from Phil Wilkinson. What do you reckon to co-creating a global
network of awesome storytellers to collaborate on #DRAWDOWN HVACR? A
cross-sectoral approach to addressing the number one action to reverse climate
change?”
Text from me: “Fantastic! I’m
in. My dream team: (you and me of course), plus Digital
Storytellers, Mac
Macartney, Sustainable
Human, Kolarele Sonaike, Oprah, Annie
Leonard and more I will think of. Where and how do we start?”
Phil: “You’ve already started – a long
time ago when we met (after that conference) you inspired me. We need to work
out how to attract the superheros. What is the next step you would like to take
– just do it… What do you need from me?”
Me: “Could we create some kind of
comic strip storyboard and start sharing it via LinkedIn? I wonder what digital
tool would allow people to contribute to create a co-designed comic book?”
So here we are. Welcome to Humans of HVACR (working
title). Come in, hang your coat up, sit down. I’ll put the kettle on for a
brew.
Both Phil and I are from the North of
England. Some people think it’s grim up North. Personally, I find a particularly
invigorating delight in wandering on windswept moors with rain lashing in my
face. Especially when I know there is a cosy pub in the valley serving
naturally chilled real ale at cellar temperature. It’s not warm – it’s ambient
cellar temperature! I love Australia’s blue skies, floods, plains and
obsession with coffee too. Humanity’s ability to adapt to the world’s many
climates is a super-power that’s made us such a successful species.
The North of England’s people, climate
and geology have unleashed great creativity in industry, music, sport and fun.
By catalysing the industrial revolution, you could say we invented the anthropocene, the geological age characterised by
humans’ influence on the planet. That’s why I have a passion and personal
drive to pollinate new stories our humanity’s place in the web of life.
How do you make sense of life? How do
you portray life in words? Like prescription lenses, stories shape the way we
see ourselves and act in the world.
Pop on your superhero glasses and join
us for this crazy party in the planet room, Humans of HVACR,
an online community on Mighty Networks
Listen to Phil Wilkinson of AIRAH,
interviewed for Climactic Podcast, 6/9/18
Comments
Post a Comment