LEARN1

"What you have matters more than what you lack (If you’ve got a bicycle, consider what you can build based on that, rather than worrying about not having a car, a truck, a metal shop.)"

As impossible as it is to choose just one of these secrets, coming from America i thought it prudent to choose this one. In any western nation, the US in particular, there is constant pressure on media consumers to strive for bigger and better things, to pursue the 'American dream'. This creates a mindset in which one begins to believe that the only truely worthwhile objects are new ones, and therefore ingrains the idea that worthwhile solutions must incorporate the best technologies. In essence we end up attracted to shiny things and disregard dull ones. The problem with this ultimately stems from the fact that it limits our arc of vision, the solutions we see as possible, it artificially constrains our resources and consequently stunts our ideas and keeps them from reaching their true potential. It's a big obsticale to overcome for many people because it forces them to become couter-culturists, to go against the instilled beliefs they've grown up with and step out of their comfort zones. This is just one example of a limiting force on our arc of vision, but one millions have to over come if they truely want to become successful social innovators.