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Evolver Spores: Day of Action Wed, Aug 18
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August 4, 2010
Evolver Spores: Day of Action
Wed, Aug 18
In just over one year, Evolver Spores have spread across the US and abroad, carrying the seeds of a new planetary culture. More than 40 regional groups have sprouted up during these months, bringing together a diverse, conscious community to explore topics critical to our time. But Evolvers don’t simply meet and discuss; they take action in manifesting the world they want to create. Over the past year, we’ve seen the Regionals initiate
alternative currencies, beach clean-ups, healing circles, permaculture gardens, eco-festivals, the building of Earthships, and more. For this month’s Spore, the entire Evolver network will activate to create positive change in our communities. Join our agents of transformation in coordinating river clean-ups, “renegade gardening,” community foresting, assisting flood victims in Hungary, and other ways we can be of service to our world.
Comments
sound/noise overload
— Aug 04, 2010
I'm a bit new here, so forgive me if I'm not contributing a specific action, but I'm going to put this out there anyway. I'm personally dreaming about what can be accomplished with respect to social behavioural change around sounds/noise...all the auditory outputs that stress our nervous systems daily, whether we notice it or not. I don't mean just car boom systems or honking, but awareness of personal habits, like cell phone conversations...everywhere. Imagine having a "quiet siesta" in your day! Not everyone is sound sensitive, I realize, but the boundaries of this seemed to have dissolved. Libraries and bathrooms are no longer refuges! If anyone else relates to this, then an action would need to be brainstormed.
hmmm
— Aug 04, 2010
that's fascinating. there's some movie i recall related to that theme..
also reminds me of Brian Eno's silent club nights.
Would be pretty hard to control noise in any outdoor environment..thanks for the idea though! What do people think? Any more ideas? I have a space in mind for making art together that could be part of an action.
Silent Sundays
— Aug 04, 2010
..an idea I had a while ago. One more peaceful day per week. Without lawnmowers, leaftrimmers, power tools etc. Or even just Silent Sunday Mornings or Silent Sunday afternoons. Small, easily manageable changes can lead to long term behavioural change if the messages used to elicit those changes are positive.
But this would be a meme to spread. A longer term plan of action.
In the meantime
"Join our agents of transformation in coordinating river clean-ups, “renegade gardening,” community foresting, assisting flood victims in Hungary, and other ways we can be of service to our world."
..these sound ike great immediate projects.
and anything where hands get in the dirt will also bestow the possible seratonin enhancing benefits of all those microbes.
One thing I've noticed
— Aug 05, 2010
One thing I've noticed with other participating spores is they had a sense of numbers for their actions in some places. I am guessing they have more regular Evolver attendee's who have been able to come to collective agreement. Here in Vancouver I've noticed a great fluctuation in attendance with a much smaller number of regulars as each month goes by. We have also not made it a point to really use any mailing list other than to message members of this group specifically about events as well as on the Facebook group. So for me a strong action would be to make our Evolver group a more dedicated network that works together year round. I personally have the benefit of interacting with all the groups I've managed to work with through being a coordinator. I only wish more people made use of this opportunity.
I think keeping this brainstorm mode for now is best so we can field a variety of ideas. I hear silent spaces creation, some kind of getting hands dirty eco-restoration idea, any more to build on these or to add a new thought?
petition for public space ?
— Aug 05, 2010
I love the sound pollution/overload awareness. i wonder how we could take action on that?
also,
An action I've been feeling called to co-create is a movement or a petition that is aimed at changing municipal by-laws that govern public space(s), in an effort to invoke an empowered sense of inspiration and responsibility within our shared community here in Vancouver... Legal allowance of Art or gardening publicly (random acts of beautification) within certain guidelines seems like it could have positive effects on us all. Another public space concern i have is i recently heard we are not being allowed in parks after 10pm (not sure if this is an official law, but i heard this is a new law?) doesn't seem right. Utilizing public spaces for more events like Car-Free days or the illuminaires festival is something i wish was done more often, so having laws that encourage more positive use of public spaces is something i'm interested in taking action for.
also, i'm wondering about having a monthly "affirmative action spore" besides the ever changing topically themed Spore might be a good idea to inject into the system of Evolver, for those who are willing to show up.
VPSN
— Aug 05, 2010
http://vancouverpublicspace.ca/index.php?page=about
VPSN is here to preserve and celebrate public space as an essential part of a vibrant, inclusive city.
The VPSN is a grassroots collective that engages in advocacy, outreach and education on public space issues in and around Vancouver, British Columbia.
This includes challenging the increase of advertising ‘creep’ in public places, promoting creative, community-friendly urban design, monitoring private security activities in the downtown core, fostering public dialogue and democratic debate, and devising creative ways to re-green the neglected corners, alleys and forgotten spaces of the city.
We also like to devise ways to have fun in public space.
The Vancouver Public Space Network (VPSN) was formed in early 2006. Since that time our numbers have grown from a dozen initial participants to over 1500 members. The Network continues to expand: a testament to the large number of individuals who value public space and view it as an essential feature of a vibrant, inclusive city.
Members are drawn together by both a shared concern for various issues facing public spaces and public realm amenities in Vancouver, as well as a desire to celebrate the role that public space in shaping the city.
I loving everything I'm
— Aug 05, 2010
I loving everything I'm hearing. "Random acts of beautification", dirt, making art together...I'm looking forward to meeting you guys. I like the idea of an additional spore - especially since immediate action is competing with longer-term ideas. Maybe an action spore and a brainstorm/planning/dialogue spore? As for attendance, having an another meeting to show up to may bring additional people - me, for example, as Wednesday nights have not worked out.
Some tidbits:
There is a "Right to Quiet Society" in Vancouver. I heard of them through a pamplet that appeared at my workplace one day. I haven't looked at it all, but it definitely caught my attention! http://www.quiet.org/faq.htm
LouLou...Silent Sundays! Decades ago they WERE quieter - I remember when laws changed allowing shopping on Sundays. I was dreaming of a city with a "Quiet Quarter" where a 15 minute time-out occurred from 12 - 12:15, like nap-time after lunch in grade school to chill everyone's systems. Cities in this world have siestas, it's not unheard of. Even if it was presented to Vancouver in humour (I'm amusing myself with a "silent protest", erecting "silent booths" in the city like the old telephone booths, where one can pay to enter for a silent respite from Robson, "Reduce your noise footprint!" buttons, "Don't hate the mime!" campaign", cell-free zones). I have watched how collective behaviour has changed around mindful cell-phone conversations. Even in the park, there will be someone having a phone conversation beside you. On the bus, in the bookstore...even the yoga studio! It's a matter of 'everyone else does it' and 'because I can'. Leading by example doesn't phase - would peer pressure? Awareness? We are encouraged to share more spaces, take the bus more - but some may avoid it because it can be "too annoying/too much" and a personal car might be one's only respite. I'm wondering if people don't even know what they are missing (a quieter bus) or what they are contributing to "conversation litter"...but most do relate to wanting to 'get away from it all' and escape to the island.
I am using WAY too many quotation marks ;-)
A unique event, placement of art or distributed flyer of ideas could capture someone's attention, although there is the cost factor. Also, the local dailies are dying for things to write about, even if it's not their thing. Anything that is an Idea dispersion, like SPORES! Watch them spread and grow.
Whatever is decided, I'm willing to support.
so
— Aug 17, 2010
Hey all, I've been buried in work and I'm not even gainfully employed for the most part. Thus I haven't been able to put the time and energy into making this months Action Spore happen. That and I was a bit stuck on what action to do. The suggestions that have been made are all cool but I have no idea how to implement them. If anything I'd simply like to connectivate with people on Wednesday if possible and get to meet people who really would like to see Evolver Vancouver become more action oriented. To do that I think we need a bigger dedicated team.
Let me know what people think and if they're available on Wednesday and we can meet up. I can provide a space.
Sobey
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