THE ART OF CHANGE

You may have heard sentiments like ‘pandemic as portal’ or calls for a ’new normal,’ spelling out an optimism for turning the Covid-19 crisis into a revolutionary act of systemic re-alignment. Sometimes change feels like a euphoric tide, a sweeping in of the new, a coup of creative destruction. Or as historian Christopher Hill wrote of the English radicals of the 1640s, like “a door that opens widely… and then suddenly closes.” In other moments, social change feels like a hard-won and gradual chipping away of the status quo. An act of pragmatic and hard-nosed dedication and craftsmanship. In this interactive session, Alexa puts a lens on the art of change-making itself and interrogate our assumptions and common myths around how we make change in society. Participants will share reflections around the art and science of social change and invite group discussion around some driving questions: What do we collectively know about making social change in the world? What theories of change do we hold? How does social change happen? Why does change so often fail? Is social change an art or are there patterns and mechanics we can learn from? How is this current crisis transforming our identities and abilities as change-makers?

POP-UP CULT CREATION: LESSONS IN CULTURE AND COMMUNITY BUILDING

Purpose at work, culture creation, team building, the art of community building

This interactive workshop has teams competing to rapidly prototype a cult from scratch. From developing a compelling "origin myth" to fostering an attractive brand and value proposition, the dynamics of cult creation create space for us to reflect on developing meaning at the intersection of community and enterprise. A successful cult requires hustle, charismatic leadership, a business plan for long-term viability, and rituals and commandments for promoting culture and cohesion. As organizations today struggle to shape culture, demonstrate values, and foster community, we look to cults for unlikely lessons in community, leadership and innovation.

AMISH FUTURIST: SEARCHING FOR THE SOUL OF STARTUPS

Intentional technology, innovation, start-ups, entrepreneurship, wellbeing

The Amish Futurist is on a quest of meaning in a world full of digital temptations. She resists the lure of technology optimism and instead prefers a low-tech profile. Her talk “Merchants of Destiny – Confronting Techno-Optimism” doesn’t preach technology abstinence but rather a refocusing on analogue values. We are being forever driven forward by technological advances. But is the use of technology sustainable for our psyche? What if some technology could help keep us grounded in our more human-centric roots? Even if we simply ignore the increasing stresses of constant digital accessibility on our iPhones, at Twitter or Facebook, the eventual consequences will be felt. The Amish Futurist looks at the impact that technology is having on our minds, emotions, relationships, sense of place and purpose. She shares her perspectives on buttermilk, technology fears and phobias, and her search for the soul of the startup scene.

ALTER EGOS: HOW TO HACK YOUR IDENTITY

Leadership development, personal growth, creativity and inspiration

What do David Bowie, Beyoncé and Fernando de Pessoa have in common? They all faithfully used alter egos to accelerate creativity and transformation in their lives. Alter egos are a minor insurgency to the systems that freeze us in rituals of routine. Alter egos are a transgressive space for new forms of expression and subjectivity to emerge and breakthrough the packaging we’ve created for ourselves. Alter egos are a bridge between the self we are and all the possibilities of who we might be.

Join this interactive workshop for a look into the occult practice ofalter ego development. Leveraging ideas from performance studies, philosophy and artistic subculture, this talk will take you on a journey to discover your shadow selves while exploring themes of identity innovation. Tapping into a more elastic personal identity is key for those looking to transform their careers, behaviors and thought patterns. But hacking your identity and embracing personal pivots is challenging. Through interactive and playful exercises, you will learn to cultivate greater diversity within yourself and honor your alter egos.

THE POWER OF MISFITS

Innovation and creativity

Misfits are the gangsters on the corners of Cape Town townships, Mumbai slums, and rough New York City neighborhoods. Misfits are the young hackers on the digital frontlines of the virtual world. Misfits are the pirates of the 18th century high seas. Misfits are the invisible con artists among us. This talk and workshop will bring attention to the ingenuity and innovation happening on the fringes. We’ll learn from diverse innovators operating in the black market and informal economies and examine the principles and philosophies that animate their work and creations.

Join this course to discover pitching techniques from con artists, entrepreneurial hustle from ex-cons, collaboration tools from hackers and activist movements, and personal resilience from hermits.