Evolver Spores: Spreading the Network
On June 17, Evolver.net invites you to join the first of our regular off-line gatherings, hosted by local communities in the US and abroad.
Why “Evolver Spores”?
Spores can land anywhere, find the right spot, and quickly develop an aboveground and underground network that supports many types of life through symbiosis. Evolver Spores are community meet-ups, creative salons, hubs of ecological activation and social inspiration. Evolver Spores bring people and groups together who share the ideal of a more beautiful and equitable world, and help them find the collaborators and tools they need to manifest their vision.
Check the list below to find a Spore in your area and contact the group host if you'd like to get involved in the organizing process. If there is not yet an Evolver Spore in your local community, you can start one yourself. Please fill out the application form (attached), send it in to jonathan((at))evolver((dot))net, and join the evolution.
AUSTRALIA
CANADA
SOUTH AFRICA
USA
Evolver New York City (June 16)
Evolver Spores: Spreading the Network
The theme of our first Evolver Spore gathering on June 17 will be “Spreading the Network”. We ask you to consider what it will take to build a grassroots network of awakening consciousness and pragmatic optimism during this time of economic meltdown, environmental assault, and endless war.
How do we communicate with people who are constrained by old belief systems and thought patterns? How do we open their minds and their hearts to a positive vision of transformation, that sees industrial farming replaced by organic permaculture, centralized banking that creates artificial scarcity supplanted by local currencies and alternative ways of exchanging value, militarism replaced by a new global movement of nonviolent activism, and so on? At the same time, how do we excite and involve people who are receptive to new ideas but not yet active in working for change?
How do we make positive possibilities seem as tangible and powerful to people as the negative and fear-based visions pushed by the mainstream media? How do we grow, develop, and spread a resilient network that outmodes the current blockades through direct action and inspired activism? And how can we bring together diverse groups and organizations working for change, creating new collaborative networks that improve our communities.
A week before the first Evolver Spore, we will assemble and post links to a number of videos and essays from Reality Sandwich and other publications that discuss these ideas, which can be used as jumping off points for discussion at the gatherings.
By promoting and releasing Evolver Spores, we are not seeking to compel conformism or create some new belief system. Our goal is to facilitate a conversation around issues that the mainstream culture often ignores, that we consider important. We hope these discussions will quickly lead to meaningful activism. We offer the Evolver Spore model as a template that local communities can use, modify, or ignore, as they see fit.
We see value in getting our growing Evolver community to synergize its intentions, synchronize its efforts, and come together as one. We also welcome Regional Spores to invite likeminded organizations to speak on issues, co-create, pass out their informational materials, and join in the collective fun.
We Evolve Together
We are currently developing the Evolver Spore concept, and are very interested in your ideas, responses, and reactions. A forum will be set up on the Evolver Worldwide Group Page to discuss the event, as well as individual “Group” pages for local Evolver Spore chapters. If you have ideas for ways to develop the network, themes for future Spore meetings, or just want to kvetch at us, we look forward to hearing your feedback.
With love,
The Evolver team
PS: We encourage those interested in hosting or participating in a local Spore to post comments about potential Evolver gatherings -- what they want to host and where below.
Image: "Close Spores" by elvissa on Flickr courtesy of Creative Commons Licensing.
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| Attachment | Size |
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| Evolver Regional Information Page.doc | 38.5 KB |
| Evolver Regional Application Form.doc | 23 KB |
- 6-15-09
- Daniel Pinchbeck's blog
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Comments
This sounds very exciting. However...
...could you please provide PDFs of the attached documents? Otherwise those of us who do not subscribe to software products of the Evil Microsoft Empire will be unable to access them. A printer-friendly HTML version would probably also suffice.
Addendum: I just managed to open them in Text Edit, a Mac platform product. But it would still be nice to have the option. Thanks!
Chicago
Minneapolis
Minneapolis
Meg you know I'm down in
Meg you know I'm down in funky town. Contact me on Evolver & lets get this started.
PDF
:-)
Yay, I can't wait to attend Evolver Atlanta! I was JUST thinking yesterday that we needed to create something like this.. and BOOM it shows up. I <3 synchronicities.Awesome.
Always choose LOVE!
<3
Organizing in Seattle
Local Currencies to the rescue
McEvolver Franchises?
Instead it is the idea that sporulates. In other places, we self-generate the same tribal ideologies as Evolver, independent yet parallel and kindred. I love the New York tribe that I have had the opportunity to meet.
Terence McKenna once spoke about a school of visionary thought being created by individual egos, perceiving themselves as acting individually and without peer, that follow a collective unconsciousness ("the Great Attractor") to a new culture. I believe this is already happening and has been happening for a decade or more.
The name "Evolver" should remain unique to New York, where it started. Spores develop in new environments in their own idiosyncratic ways. This is the very notion of "evolution." Each spore of ideas can be spread by Evolver, but it is up to individual external environments to decide what to do with those ideas and how they will evolve. Anything less organic smells of flawed human engineering, a scent we all know that nature is reluctant to embrace.
In the case of Chicago, as Laura mentioned, Alchemists Anonymous was formed by multiple members of the local community providing a wide variety of talents and skills. The first couple meetings back in late 2007 involved community leaders whose experience totaled over a century's worth of experience. I was honored to even sit in that room with those 30 or so people. Since then, well over 100 individuals have attended one or more Alchemists Anonymous gatherings. Over time, the group has evolved and grown to something that is now making notable strides.
A partnership and sharing of ideas between communities of like-minded people would be ideal, rather than competing franchises of time/energy investment. The maintenance of person to person relations is critical at this juncture in history. Franchises will fail. Tribes will work.
This movement, or conspiracy as Robert Anton Wilson fans might say, is not founded or initiated by any one individual or group in any single time or place.
Spread the fertile word in fertile soil, and it will grow on its own accord.
This is not a business plan. It's a humanity plan.
brands
Hi Ora,
Thanks for your comments. As a matter of fact, the name and concept for Evolver originated on the West Coast, during an earlier incarnation of this project.
As mentioned in the post, everyone and anyone are welcome to ignore this project and do their own thing. My feeling is that there are advantages in having an umbrella group and an interconnected network. I see a movement toward hybridized identities - the Evolver group also calls itself "ThriveNY" and made the decision without our input to use Evolver as a means to link up with a larger network. I feel one big problem of the progressive /consciousness community is its fragmented nature - everyone loves to start new initiatives and then gets attached to their particular identity, and meanwhile we lack the leverage to orchestrate anything significant against the powers that be. We have to learn how to collaborate if we hope to overcome the current status quo.
As for branding, yes, I feel that corporations have proven the power of building a brand identity and then imprinting it into people's psyche. I think this is both a weapon and a tool that can be repurposed for positive change.
Corporations are the most powerful engines for planetary transformation that the human mind has yet devised. They have had an unfortunately poisonous effect. According to alchemy, poisons can be transmuted into medicines. In that sense, I see Evolver as an alchemical working, using the form of the corporation to transmute its power.
I see Evolver as a conceptual art piece - what Joseph Beuys called a "social sculpture." If you dig what we are doing, feel free to get involved. If you sense something "Big Brotherish" or too profit-centered, then do something else. We would still love to have you create a group and Blog on Evolver for Alchemists Anonymous and tell us what you have learned and accomplished, so that others can learn from you.
Yours,
Daniel
"Will the transformation."-Rilke
Interaction with the Outside as Explicit Mission Item
I feel one big problem of the progressive /consciousness community is its fragmented nature - everyone loves to start new initiatives and then gets attached to their particular identity, and meanwhile we lack the leverage to orchestrate anything significant against the powers that be. We have to learn how to collaborate if we hope to overcome the current status quo.
Agreed;
I think the concern is that (that-which-is-forming-here) will become exactly that: attached to its particular identity, and then not collaborating with, or even just marginalizing, the world outside.
I don't think that's what you intend at all, but I can seen fears about getting snubbed, considered "outside," and so on, which is against the spirit of the ideal (I believe.) I am not arguing against difference or boundary, but I am talking about being clear about working together with others.
You may want to consider making commitment to interaction with the outside world a very high, and perhaps even explicit priority. For example, at Damanhur, commitment to "harmonic integration and co-operation with all the Forces linked to the evolution of Humankind" is one of the only three mission items of Damanhur, from which every single purpose, thing, artpiece, word, note, and blade of grass in the territories is based.
Open Source/Free Software makes a strong metaphor as well, more on the implicit side: Anyone and everyone is invited to start a project. It's all part of Open Source. There's a background ethic of sharing and collaboration; A sense of differentiated wholeness across the network.
Evolver Regional :: It's the Real Thing!™
Los Angeles, CA
Greetings Ora..
From the title of your post, you immediately lessen the intention from which you are benefiting from… You speak of your local community as though it is completely different than the community by which you are posting this e-mail on. Granted it’s different due to physical location, but we are connected as a community via this portal that hosts a plethora of incredible information for “our” community. I am in Los Angeles. For me, Reality Sandwich serves much like a community message board. It is one of the few places I am able to go to get some relevant and innovative information…
So, when I read your post, which came off as being very cynical, I immediately wanted to ask the name of your internet provider, the manufacturer of the vehicle you drive or ride, if you drive where do you get your fuel, what does your diet consist of, is it locally grown and purchased from farmers markets or co-ops, what telephone service do you utilize, where do you get your electricity, your bank, your water, etc… if less than the majority of it is local then I would make it a point that it is always easiest to critique those closest to you, be it your partner, your family, or entities such as Reality Sandwich that provide a comfortable platform for you to be heard. The ones you have the deepest relations get the harangue rather than your city officials, your utility companies, your banks, your food suppliers, your politicians… The latter, in most cases, is the basis of many of the frustrations you may be experiencing.
I find it quite funny that you question the intention of a “Evolver” Regional event as you immediately offer in the same sentence that you have aligned yourself to another entity named Alchemists Anonymous [sounds dangerously close to a “brand” name, versus saying my local community meeting].
The point though of this response is this: It sounds that Alchemists Anonymous is doing some wonderful things on a local level. It would seem like a fine opportunity to align these efforts to an entity, such as the Evolver Regional, that seems to be working in alignment with your overall mission. Rather than to immediately lessen and not allow the opportunity to manifest, perhaps this is the opportunity to give your cynicism a test. Through pro-active involvement and engagement you may be able to make a more sound opinion as to what is working and what is not working via experience rather than re-iteration of text by humans who as brilliant as they may have been did not figure it out... I am inspired by your passion, hopefully it can be redirected so that we are able to work together as a larger community on some of these very important issues and aspects of our lives…
Perhaps some day we can further explore the term Branding…
Inner & Outer Peace, D Abstract
Welcoming Difference & Diversity
You speak of your local community as though it is completely different than the community by which you are posting this e-mail on.
I didn't get that sense at all; Here's what he said:
"In other places, we self-generate the same tribal ideologies as Evolver, independent yet parallel and kindred. I love the New York tribe that I have had the opportunity to meet."
I get the sense that he sees different people (true) with similar ideas (also true.)
...
On a separate, perhaps completely unrelated note; I can't help but offer:
I have firsthand witnessed two, maybe three groups of people so far jump from the perspective that "hierarchy is bad," to "hierarchy is good."
In each case, the result was disaster. The dogs of conformity-enforcement were unleashed, and the result was wicked ugly. And it wasn't the kind of "necessary ugly" that works; It was the unnecessary ugly that didn't work. It turned out that there is actually some wisdom in the postmodern architecture that cannot be overturned by simply reactivating hierarchical tropes.
I could point you to some examples, and would offer the point that while it may appear to work for a time, it does not work for very long.
"I am inspired by your passion, hopefully it can be redirected so that we are able to work together as a larger community on some of these very important issues and aspects of our lives…"
Working together is always difficult, and something always to be overcome, but recognize that people will not always be working together within the same organ of the same body.
And I did not see a sign over Reality Sandwich saying that the fundamental agreements behind talking here have changed, either, or that we all have to belong to the same group, or step off.
I've pledged to welcome difference and diversity, and hope that we can all agree that this is a good thing.
Evolver-ing
Personally, I think the prospects of Evolver regionals popping up around the world is surely a good thing. Reality Sandwich has carved such a funky and wide-ranging niche because it incorporates so many different ideas, philosophies, and perspectives. The most interesting thing in my mind about RS is how such a broad forum can maintain a consistent general intention, a rallying point for the diverse "transformative" community.
Evolver is a solid extension of this pursuit, still very dedicated to the many facets of evolutionary consciousness, but intelligently cohesive to promote the big truth that we are all one visionary tribe, fully embracing all our individual, colloquial, idiosyncratic quirks.
Through Evolver Atlanta, we have explored an ever-shifting terrain of ideas, drawing in far-flung and disparate groups of people for truly inspiring, one-off events. Watching the Evolver network take off organically and exponentially is proof that there are many many thousands of passionate people ready to take the reins in their communities, vying for a brighter future. The concept is to use Evolver as an umbrella for all of the somewhat insular spiritual tribes, co-ops, non-profits, meetups, etc. Here in Atlanta, this has been an amazing process so far, immensely successful and well-received -- in part, I believe, because people recognize the inclusiveness and agenda-less vision of our efforts.
I'd like to share some of the language I drafted to describe EvolverFest, the festival we are hosting here on June 7th. I think it does a nice job of expressing this concept, and effectively identifies a "mission statement" for our nebulous, sweeping collective:
A global movement is growing in our own backyards. From bicycle co-ops and yoga studios to neighborhood gardens and urban homesteads, inspired groups of people are coming together across Atlanta. Though their interests are diverse, these groups all share a guiding vision of empowering local communities, transforming culture, and co-creating a more beautiful world. The time has come to recognize our common dreams and make them a reality.
;)
st
from hierarchy to holarchy
Great comments.
What ST and others are doing in Atlanta is a perfect example of what we hope will happen all around the US and abroad. They are making use of the brand we are co-creating in their own way, with minimal input from us. One social organizing model that inspires us is the "Transition Town" model from the UK, which is permaculture-based, meaning that local and regional groups should develop in their own way, using what is helpful for them from the larger collective brain-trust that will become available as we develop these models, and create real-world prototypes.
"Will the transformation."-Rilke
Just a few responses to
Just a few responses to Daniel's response:
1) It does not seem to me that the corporate model is one worth emulating when undertaking massive alchemical workings. The corporate model is flawed, for many reasons we have already seen in the last 50 years. Capability of planetary transformation is nice, but what I would question with a corporate model is the qualitative demeanor of that transformation, not the quantitative expansion potential.
2) You seem to have skipped over my comments about Terence McKenna's view of planetary transformation. I refer to his comments in a lecture called "Opening the Doors of Creativity," about schools of thought. In my perception, planetary transformation will not, and cannot, take place as the result of a singular alchemical body, idea or meme. It is all the Evolver-like entities, like-minded individuals, and kindred memes out there, including Evolver itself, that change this world.
3) Last, I want to be clear that I am not trying to spread negative or cynical energy. I simply want to express some non-attached constructive criticism. The title of my first comment was meant to get people's attention, and I think it did. I think what you guys do is great, and I visit the site often. There's a lot of great ideas being exchanged here, ideas that everyone in the world should have access to.
I think that how we go about spreading our ideas can, in many cases, have a greater impact than the ideas themselves.
Alchemy isn't just about what you're trying to achieve. It's about how you do it.
Or summed up more poetically:
Uncle: "What you do defines who you are!"
Max: "No, who you are defines what you do!"
Jude: "Well... maybe it's not what you do, but the way you do it."
Much love,
Ora
P.S. To many people who often comment on these articles, let me offer three words: eschew fear memes.
Evolver San Antonio
Good on you, Daniel
Good on you, Daniel! Your archetypal friend Quetzal would be pleased.
Are you following what is happening now in southern England concerning the time of an eclipse in early July?
Their latest pic (if real) shows a "dragonfly flying into our Sun", next to a small airstrip west of Avebury. Dragonflies are a native American symbol of "renewal after great hardship".
This event, if it really happens, may shake the old ways of thinking and time-worn paradigms in a very positive way.
Best, collie (also a friend of J. and L. from Brussels)
philadelphia
Philadelphia Spore
Nobody in Philadelphia is doing one yet. Are you interested in getting something started? If so, just email me through my profile page and we can go from there.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Would you believe,
I was scrolling down, thinking just the same thing? hehe. Make that two for philly, which is one more than i was aware of! :)
uk wales
Howdy Aneirin, I'm in
Howdy Aneirin, I'm in Wales. Are you on Evolver?
In wildness is the preservation of the world - Thoreau
Evolver Cape Town
I've just sent out invitations for the first Evolver Spore that isn't on the North American continent - very exciting!
We may end up calling our group something completely different, I am (so far) the only one who is actually an Evolver member - but for me what is appealing is that there is this potential for very diverse groups to be loosely connected, so we can encourage and inspire each other, share ideas and resources - in the same way that the diverse people within the group will support each other.
Any other Capetonian Reality Sandwich readers out there? please get in touch!
Gizelle
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, UK
Hrmmm
Evolver Spore Down Under?
The Daily Grail
Transition Town
UK - what about Avebury, this solstice weekend?
on branding
On the subject of branding, though, care is needed not to create a clique or secret society - gee, there's one poster who talks of a 'chapter'...
no dude - just get on board whichever bus comes your way, spread good vibes and the community will create itself... A word of advice from the good doctor Robbins:
"You have taught us much. Come with us and join the movement."
"This movement of yours, does it have slogans?" inquired the Chink.
"Right on!" they cried. And they quoted him some.
"Your movement, does it have a flag?" asked the Chink.
"You bet!" and they described their emblem.
"And does your movement have leaders?"
"Great leaders."
"Then shove it up your butts," said the Chink. "I have taught you nothing."
peace and love to all - Victor...
That is a great point to