WHAT it is:
Since its introduction in 1943, Maslow’s Hierarchy has become the dominant model for structuring human need states. Over time, however, it has become clear that its individualistic tenets are limiting, warranting a revisitation of its original source of inspiration — Blackfoot Nation beliefs — in order to course-correct. In the Blackfoot model self-actualization sits at the base, rather than at the top (of what is a tipi, by the way — not a triangle). In this view, individual actualization is the foundation from which higher-order goals, like community and spirituality, can be achieved. At the top lies cultural perpetuity — or ‘the breath of life.’ Cultural perpetuity embodies the understanding that while individuals might be forgotten, they still have a critical role to play in ensuring that important communal teachings live on. The four corners of the tipi account for the remainder of Maslow’s hierarchy through a more holistic framework, giving equal weight to cognitive, physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. Through a return to the original Blackfoot beliefs, we’re placing individuals in their appropriate, connected context, rather than prioritizing them above all else. That allows us to re-orient ourselves toward interdependence, constantly balancing the personal and collective needs as we go.
Why we like it:
From forced isolation to crises of every variety, the past few years have emphasized our relation to one another and to the world around us. As we imagine a future that requires us to act in a collective best interest, the first step is understanding the role we play in a larger context and building a foundation from which we’re able to become the best versions of ourselves.
How it might continue to manifest:
To unlearn the harmful lessons that have fueled our dyssynchrony we must start by questioning accepted frameworks, and understand how indigenous concepts have been co-opted to benefit individualistic cultures. In reconnecting with these human roots, we can rebuild our relationships, creating new structures to better understand our roles within our communities and the world around us.
WHAT it is:
The Uncertainty Experts is an immersive three-part documentary backed by neuroscientific research that helps viewers build resilience and reduce anxiety. The three one-hour sessions are bookended by questionnaires designed to help set a baseline on the viewer’s attitudes toward uncertainty, with personalized profiles and practical takeaways that help turn uncertainty into opportunity. Each session is punctuated by scannable QR codes and interactive questions that analyze in real-time how the viewer currently tackles uncertainty — and the fear, fog, and stasis it engenders.
Why we like it:
To find our way back to synchrony we must embrace uncertainty — and understand that the goal is not to vanquish it, but to live with it. Building more resilient people and institutions means learning to adapt as waves of uncertainty undermine even our best-laid plans.
How it might continue to manifest:
We increasingly hear that ‘soft skills’ are the ones we’ll need in the future — and while that’s true, we also find that we lack meaningfully engaging ways to develop them. There’s an untapped opportunity for organizations to build immersive and engaging personal development programs, both in our education systems and our workplaces.
WHAT it is:
Australian environmental philosopher Glenn Albrecht coined the term ‘Symbiocene’ to represent a potential future beyond the Anthropocene. In this alternative state, he envisions a world underpinned by people living in symbiosis, mutually supporting each other and the world around us. For Albrecht, this interconnection restores humanity’s role in the community of life, resisting the tendency to view nature as a hostile and competitive war of ‘all against all’.
Albrecht goes on to argue the case for a ‘Symbiocracy:’ a form of self government with an emphasis on respect for all the reciprocal relationships around us, at all scales from local to global. This means electing representatives with meaningful ties to local communities and places, as well as an intimate understanding of ecosystems and the interdependent relationships that support them.
Why we like it:
Climate anxiety and environmentally-induced distress have given rise to yet another Albrecht-ism: ‘Solastalgia.’ Solastalgia is a term Albrecht describes as “...the homesickness you have when you’re still at home;” it’s a term that encompasses the unsettling feeling of constant change to our environments. Unsurprisingly, this kind of melancholia can feel like a black hole with strong gravitational pull. Here the Symbiocene offers hope — a concept we can aspire to and work towards, rather than constantly trying to dodge consequences of impending environmental collapse.
How it might continue to manifest:
Building a new era requires active engagement, energy, and awareness — and a start is helping people understand and envision this new world. This means opportunity for visionary and activist organizations alike, with groups like Symbio(s)cene and Extinction Rebellion setting the standard for engaging more people in the mission for transformative change.
