"I love that you've brought this to attention. An extensive database of uncommon but resistant and hardy plants/foods could be developed and organized by climate. Ease of growth and processing should also be taken in to account. I will try to…"
A crash course in changing the world.
Only the big picture is obvious from a distance
In his tips on Innovation in Africa, David Tait quotes Ethan Zuckerman, saying "Problems are not always obvious from afar." While I take issue with that particular wording, Zuckerman's point that social innovators must integrate themselves and take the time to analyze their surroundings is well taken.
Problems like the ones we seek to address are, in fact, obvious from afar. People millions of miles away and with no connection whatsoever are acquainted with issues of food security, poverty, or energy inefficiency. The difference here is between acquaintance with the issues and familiarity with them. Problems are obvious from afar, but not the subtleties that are integral to resolving those problems.
For example, the problem of poverty is one that many people are acquainted with. Most prospective social innovators have even seen photos or heard first-hand accounts, tools that help us to understand the crushing reality of the situation. However, crossing over from acquaintance to familiarity through the kind of exposure Zuckerman insists upon sheds light on many of the other "secrets of social innovation" that also appear in Tait's blog post. Zuckerman says we must "live for a while in a society where no one has currency larger than a $1 bill to understand..." I would like to take a moment to shed light on some of the potential subtleties this kind of closer look can reveal.
These are just a few of the benefits of being on the ground in a community you're working with as a social innovator. I think the important question this leaves me with is "How?" How do we make ourselves present on the ground when so many of these issues are global, or when the communities we're working with are far away? Am I limited to my very own community or one nearby because I have the potential to integrate myself? Is there a way to use the internet to virtually place myself "on the ground" in a community, or is there truly no substitute for physical presence? This is an issue I will continue to think about as I tackle my next few challenges.
Problems like the ones we seek to address are, in fact, obvious from afar. People millions of miles away and with no connection whatsoever are acquainted with issues of food security, poverty, or energy inefficiency. The difference here is between acquaintance with the issues and familiarity with them. Problems are obvious from afar, but not the subtleties that are integral to resolving those problems.
For example, the problem of poverty is one that many people are acquainted with. Most prospective social innovators have even seen photos or heard first-hand accounts, tools that help us to understand the crushing reality of the situation. However, crossing over from acquaintance to familiarity through the kind of exposure Zuckerman insists upon sheds light on many of the other "secrets of social innovation" that also appear in Tait's blog post. Zuckerman says we must "live for a while in a society where no one has currency larger than a $1 bill to understand..." I would like to take a moment to shed light on some of the potential subtleties this kind of closer look can reveal.
Embrace Culture -- By being an active observer in a community, you internalize its culture, and learn to make choices that work with the community's values, not against them.
Major players -- While a problem may seem completely obvious, seeing who the major players are and defining their roles is easier on the ground than from a distance. Knowing who these players are is important for building relationships and for establishing a point of view.
Use existing infrastructure/supplies -- Actually being in a community allows you to take stock of what already exists. You're almost never starting from scratch! However, the potential infrastructure or movements to build on may be small, and getting to know the community and its members will help you to identify all possible routes when it comes to taking advantage of what's already there.
Be realistic -- In every respect, from supplies to timing to participation, it is easier to be realistic and to set achievable goals when you are fully informed.
Trust -- Perhaps the most important benefit of being in a community as you work with it is the ability to build trust. By forming relationships with the population, the major players, and even the place itself, you build confidence on your project, and trust with the people around you. Both the confidence and the trust will go both ways.
These are just a few of the benefits of being on the ground in a community you're working with as a social innovator. I think the important question this leaves me with is "How?" How do we make ourselves present on the ground when so many of these issues are global, or when the communities we're working with are far away? Am I limited to my very own community or one nearby because I have the potential to integrate myself? Is there a way to use the internet to virtually place myself "on the ground" in a community, or is there truly no substitute for physical presence? This is an issue I will continue to think about as I tackle my next few challenges.
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Comment by Jesse State on March 26, 2010 at 4:05pm
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Great post! I really enjoyed your points about major players and using existing infrastructure.
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