Significance and Sustenance

Its time for us to all learn how to superstruct for real right now. Until this last weeks retreat I am not sure I understood how rare and unique this talent is. There is a certain tendency in the modern world to compartmentalize, to go vertical and lateral and horizontal. Systemic thinking means using organic models rather than trying to fit mechanical models to organic situations. Systemic thinking means that you zig and you zag, you loop and you spiral and sometimes you bifurcate.

The variety of industry present at the iftf 2009 retreat made me more than hopeful, it made me feel resolute. My own intent to forge a link between water systems and information systems was taken to a new level when I heard the excitement in the room as the idea hit the air...there was an audible "oooh". The linked stacked services that could result from the association between water which includes the entire human use cycle and information systems which can be implemented at various levels of scale and sophistication provide a potential for comprehensive soft infrastructure. The most immediate need of the children for water, hygiene and information is the ever present living link between the services creating a smart soft infrastructure.

This soft infrastructure needs to address pressing issues of sustenance and a sea change of significance.

Soft infrastructure means more than simply people as infrastructure. it also suggests a flow of information that goes more than one direction. The display of information also might have several levels of available complexity at both the level of input and output.

For example there is a power in text messaging and hashtag use that can be part of a flow into diagrams and statistical models for large amounts of information and impacted infrastructure. When mobile phone units are also outfitted with GPS they can have another level of information gathering built in; the ability to see where devices travel and when, to map in new and diverse ways the complexity of daily needs and movements without direct input on the part of the participants in the smart soft infrastructure system.

There is a lot to think about in terms of creatively shifting focus. I am certain that in the next few days I am going to be thinking a lot about play and games as a way of breaking down traditional barriers and for allowing rapid shifts and transitions to new behaviors and awarenesses. There is a side to many of us that has atrophied, and yet it is still whole, still capable and still ready to play. Even though often this side of many of us has been quiet we still knows how to laugh and play and sing. This side of ourselves and the deeply ingrained ability to play must be brought to activity and health quickly and with great care and kindness.

There is an answer in calling forth this deep playful level of engagement and leaping into action. We are faced with nearly overwhelming challenges and yet at the same time we have these new really flexible and empowering tools.

We can really have more fun than ever with these tools. It is possible we can use them to unlock hidden abilities and qualities in ourselves.

The IFTF gathering in Marin reminded me of the ancient Welsh tales which are themselves tools. Often in the adventurous tales of the Mabingion or of the ancient Welsh fairy queen Mab there is a gathering of heroes where each hero has a special talent or a special ability. It is the combined force of these diverse special talents, perceptions and abilities that is needed to conquer the challenges often faced in the ancient tales. The IFTF gathering had the quality of the Mab tales when they talk about the "ten hands of the ten fingers" coming together to face a challenge. Each hero team has members with attributes as different as the fingers on a hand and as needed in special function to complete a task. To say that I was impressed with the intelligence, presence and dedication of this group would not be saying enough. Together these everyday futurist heroes make a sort of superhero superstruct force... which is exactly what we need right now.