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More Lightning Rods Than Bolts

I heard the tone in Gov. Hunts voice when he was calling all North Carolinians to rise up and do something good and participate more in the state's creative transformation. It was memorable. He has a profound, purposeful voice that comes deep from the ground and keeps resonating in the circles in which I find myself working. He made me want to keep that energy going--not let it all dissipate. Because this is really important stuff for this state. In fact, its critical.

With that said, I sat there in the beginning, middle and end of the Forum, feeling cynicism in knowing many would hear his call and raise their fists in agreement only to return to back to their places and mindsets. Because, hey, we are all busy, right? I kept thinking, too many lightning rods waiting to be struck, not enough bolts to strike. Too much latency, not enough action. Too much intent, not enough personal obligation.

My favorite part of the Forum wasn't actually the terrific speakers (Red Hat's Michael Tiemann sort of blew my mind) or meeting all the incredible attendees, it was when Anita asked everyone to get their smartphones out and COMMIT to staying involved. She then published, in real-time, right in front of the whole Forum, people who said they were going to commit. Wow how cool is that? I want to see that list again.

So, today, a week or so later, a note popped up on my calendar asking, "IEI Creativity Forum::What have you done so far?" The answer is, nothing! I didn't recall putting that on my calendar but it provoked me to circle back and write this note. I am going to make that a recurring note on my calendar reminding me each week, that I have a responsibility and opportunity to do something bigger here, and you do too.

I suggest we all ping ourselves on a weekly basis to at least strike a bolt of action of some kind instead of waiting for it all to hit us.

I know the IEI team has our names and email addresses and our respective commitments tallied and we will hear from them soon. But stop for a second and think about what you heard at the Forum, if you were there. If you weren't do a search on twitter for #iei2010

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If we were to just get up and dance, what would be the best public space to do it in?

by Roland Stephen 6 months ago

You're right Roland. It did seem like an age. I keep reading all this great stuff from changepapers.org and other sources where people from many different disciplines come together to stir the unanticipated.

I would love to get something started along those lines here in the state.

Have shared some ideas about interdisciplinary strike teams available to various boards of directors who can subscribe to a innovation strike force. I feel like there is something there.

by Steven Keith 6 months ago

Great short video. But remember, it seems like an age before the second person joins the dancing guy..

by Roland Stephen 6 months ago