Waves — Forum for Changemakers 2024 Helsinki Roundup
I attended the WAVES — Forum for Changemakers in Helsinki this year, besides taking some photos, Itook some notes at some of the keynotes and synthesized them here.
Daniel Schmachtenberger
Daniel Schmachtenberger’s discourse navigates the complex landscape of global crises and their interconnectedness, focusing on the unsustainable nature of exponential growth obligations within a finite planet. He illuminates how humanity’s capacity to inflict irreversible damage on the biosphere has escalated dramatically since the advent of industrial technology, positioning us in a precarious “race to the bottom” fueled by globalization’s promise of war prevention through material abundance.
Schmachtenberger identifies a “polycrisis” encompassing environmental degradation, the advent of artificial intelligence, nuclear threats, ocean depletion, and escalating wealth inequality, among others. He argues that these crises do not exist in isolation but are deeply interdependent, with catastrophic risks becoming increasingly probable.
Central to his analysis is the critique of decision-making processes and their externalities — the unintended negative consequences that arise from choices made within our socio-economic systems. For example, the solution to the transportation problem has led to the pollution crisis, highlighting how not all advancements are beneficial and can, in fact, exacerbate other issues.
Schmachtenberger points to systemic flaws in how societies and economies operate, such as the tendency to privatize gains while socializing losses, and the perverse incentives created by a “move fast and break things” ethos. This is exemplified by cases like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), where the first-mover advantage led to the suppression of damaging science for profit.
The crux of his message is the imperative to innovate our approach to innovation itself. This involves fully accounting for all externalities in our decision-making processes, aiming to solve problems without inadvertently creating new ones. He criticizes the narrow focus on problem-solving that fails to consider wider impacts, advocating for systemic change that internalizes previously externalized harms.
In summary, Daniel Schmachtenberger calls for a profound shift in how we conceptualize and approach innovation, urging for designs that inherently account for the broader consequences of human choice and activity. This reimagining aims to transform our interaction with the planet and each other, embedding sustainability and equity into the fabric of our societal structures.
Nora Bateson
Nora Bateson’s presentation on the Warm Data Lab presents a compelling argument against traditional, reductionist approaches to understanding complex living systems. Bateson suggests that the conventional way of segmenting life into discrete, manageable parts for production or study — akin to factory settings — fails to capture the essence of living systems. This approach, grounded in the idea that controlling individual parts can fix the whole, starkly contrasts with the inherently uncontrollable and interconnected nature of ecosystems.
The crux of Bateson’s argument lies in the disconnection between how nature operates through intricate interdependencies and how human frameworks attempt to comprehend it. She introduces the concept of “Warm Data” as a solution to this dichotomy. Unlike traditional, context-stripped data, Warm Data is vibrant and alive, encapsulating the rich tapestry of relationships and interdependencies that define living systems. It challenges the academic norm of isolating phenomena from their contexts, advocating instead for a relational understanding of information.
Bateson further critiques the linear, purpose-driven narratives that have come to dominate our language and thinking, particularly in the realms of education and societal organization. She contrasts the openness and potential for growth in statements like “I go to school and I am going to learn” with the closed, optimization-focused “I go to school to learn.” This linguistic shift, she argues, reflects a broader societal move towards instrumentalizing life, reducing complex, purpose-rich organisms to single-function entities.
At the heart of Bateson’s discourse is a call to recognize and embrace the complexity and interdependence inherent in living systems. She warns against the dangers of simplifying these systems into interconnected rather than interdependent elements, suggesting that true understanding and sustainable living require a deep appreciation of the myriad relationships that sustain life.
In essence, Nora Bateson’s Warm Data Lab presentation is a profound reflection on the need to rethink our approach to understanding and interacting with the world around us. It urges a shift away from mechanistic, reductionist views towards a more holistic, relational perspective that acknowledges the vibrant, warm data of life’s interdependencies.
Nora Bateson & Dave Snowden
Bateson and Snowden both emphasize the critical distinction between complexity and complications. Complexity involves interwoven, dependent systems where outcomes are unpredictable and emergent, whereas something complicated might be intricate but ultimately decipherable with enough analysis. This delineation is crucial for understanding not just problems but the frameworks we use to approach them.
Echoing this sentiment, they critique traditional mindsets that rely heavily on rational, brain-centric approaches to decision-making. Highlighting an often-overlooked truth, they argue that a significant portion of our decisions stem from bodily intuition or subconscious processes rather than purely cognitive ones.
The conversation shifts towards the evolution of heterogeneous systems, underscoring the importance of diversity and contextual understanding in fostering resilience and adaptability. By attempting to contextualize every living being, there’s a push towards a more systemic comprehension of life’s complexity.
Both thinkers advocate for a pivot from purpose-driven actions to alignment with broader, more fluid objectives. This shift is not just semantic but foundational, suggesting that alignment offers the flexibility needed to navigate complex systems effectively.
At the heart of their discourse is the concept of interaction at scale and how creating anomalies within predictable patterns can catalyze change. They argue that traditional means of education and rational persuasion often fall short in effecting real transformation, suggesting that unexpected disruptions can more effectively prompt reevaluation and adaptation.
They also touch on the consequences of oversimplification, noting how removing complexity and context from conversations only serves to amplify polarization. This simplification not only misrepresents reality but can actively harm societal discourse.
Injecting a lighter note, both Bateson and Snowden call for more humor in our approach to life and its serious challenges, hinting at the therapeutic and unifying effect of laughter in the face of adversity.
An interesting observation they share concerns group dynamics, pointing out how in groups smaller than five, compromise is common, but in larger groups, tribal behaviour predominates. This insight into social psychology underscores the importance of scale in human interactions and decision-making.
Finally, they muse on the power of storytelling, pondering which narratives we should amplify and which we should diminish. This reflects a deeper belief in the transformative power of stories to shape perceptions, behaviours, and ultimately, societal norms.
In summary, Bateson and Snowden offer a rich tapestry of insights into how we understand and interact with the complex systems that define our world. Their dialogue challenges us to reconsider our approaches to decision-making, system development, and societal change, advocating for a more nuanced, flexible, and ultimately, human-centric perspective.
Roleff Krakström
Roleff Krakström, representing Moomin Characters Oy Ltd, offers a unique and insightful perspective on business management that diverges significantly from conventional corporate practices. His approach centers around the power of narratives and storytelling, eschewing traditional business metrics and frameworks.
Krakström’s strategy is to drive the business forward through the creation and dissemination of engaging narratives, aiming to involve as many people as possible in this creative process. This method naturally entails navigating through the complexity of diverse opinions and beliefs, highlighting the company’s commitment to inclusivity and collaboration.
In a notable departure from standard corporate practices, Moomin Characters Oy Ltd operates without the use of budgets or specific goals, leaning instead on principles of generosity and trust. This ethos is reflected in their operational philosophy: to amplify projects that find success and to scale back on those that don’t, all without the stringent oversight of budgets or targets.
The company’s recruitment strategy is equally distinctive, favoring individuals from creative fields such as storytelling, media, and other artistic disciplines. This focus underscores a belief in the value of creativity and narrative skill over conventional business skills or analytics.
Krakström emphasizes the importance of following the energy, desire, and passion of the company’s people, rather than relying on big data or analytical predictions to guide decision-making. This approach fosters a work environment driven by enthusiasm and creativity, rather than one governed by numbers and predictions.
In essence, Roleff Krakström’s leadership at Moomin Characters Oy Ltd embodies a radical yet effective approach to business, one that prioritizes storytelling, trust, and creativity over traditional metrics and objectives. This philosophy not only sets the company apart in the corporate landscape but also highlights the potential for alternative business models to thrive in today’s dynamic market.
Emma Stenström
Emma Stenström, associated with the Stockholm School of Economics, advocates for an approach to learning and interaction termed “bubble hopping.” This concept encourages individuals to step outside their comfort zones to engage with people from diverse backgrounds, holding different opinions, experiences, and values. Stenström emphasizes the importance of maintaining curiosity in these interactions, suggesting that a genuine interest in understanding differing perspectives is crucial.
Her philosophy underscores the need to find common ground among disparate views, advocating for dialogue over debate. This distinction is key; while debate often involves opposing sides defending their positions, dialogue opens up a space for mutual understanding and learning.
Stenström also highlights the practical aspect of bubble hopping: practicing talking to strangers. This skill is seen as essential for breaking down barriers and fostering an environment where ideas and experiences can be freely exchanged.
Through these principles, Emma Stenström promotes a more interconnected and empathetic approach to learning and communication. By encouraging individuals to engage with those outside their immediate social or ideological “bubbles,” she believes we can foster a richer, more inclusive society that values dialogue and the pursuit of common ground.
Conclusion
The WAVES — Forum for Changemakers 2024 in Helsinki brought together an impressive array of thinkers who delved deep into the nuances of global crises, systemic flaws, and the transformative power of storytelling and engagement. Daniel Schmachtenberger highlighted the urgent need for innovation in our approach to global crises, emphasizing the interconnectedness of today’s challenges and advocating for systemic changes that internalize externalities. Nora Bateson presented a compelling argument against reductionist approaches to understanding complex systems, championing the concept of Warm Data to foster a more holistic understanding of the interdependencies that define our world.
In a similar vein, Bateson and Dave Snowden explored the distinctions between complexity and complications, urging a shift towards more nuanced, flexible problem-solving methods that prioritize human-centric perspectives. Roleff Krakström’s insights from Moomin Characters Oy Ltd showcased the power of narratives in business, demonstrating how creativity and passion can drive success beyond traditional metrics. Finally, Emma Stenström’s concept of “bubble hopping” encouraged individuals to embrace curiosity and engage with diverse perspectives, fostering dialogue over debate and enriching societal discourse.
Together, these presentations underscored the importance of embracing complexity, fostering inclusivity, and rethinking traditional frameworks across various domains. The forum not only provided a platform for these vital discussions but also highlighted the collective journey towards more sustainable, equitable, and interconnected futures.
