From What Is to What If: Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want

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Occasional other treats, such as our interview with Tom Carnac, other videos and podcasts just for you, treats like our upcoming interview with Rutger Bregman and others, and the opportunity to ask the What If questions that shape the podcast. As part of Transition: Bounce Forward’s work in Great Britain, we invite you to join together with your group to explore: No part of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form by any means without permission in writing from the publisher. What Is– what is the context for our work given all of the changes we’ve experienced in the last 12 months? Sadly, it seems far easier to imagine almost any dystopian scenario than the possibility that we might actually still have the competence to act, to create something else, to dig ourselves out of the many holes of our own making. The message that ‘it can’t be done’ is strong and pervasive. As Susan Griffin puts it:

From What Is to What If – Chelsea Green Publishing

The greatest example of diversity is the natural world around us. ‘’The greater the diversity in the natural world around us, and the greater our capacity to notice it, the more we can draw on it as our muse for how to exist in the world’’ (p61). Hopkins’ advise: Go outside. ‘’Spending even 25 minutes outside has been shown to relax the brain and increase cognitive functioning’’ (p 62). Obviously, this is yet another reason to worry about the massive loss of biodiversity of our times and another motivator to prevent biodiversity loss as much as possible. Day after day, week after week, the climate is changing and biodiversity is fading away. For a long time we tended to look the other way, but now, being on the edge of the cliff forces us to understand that we must act urgently. And because of this emergency it is our utmost duty to join forces. Not only among states, but among mayors, NGOs, associations, companies, and citizens. Among all those who are determined to act here and now. Rob Hopkins has long been a leader in imagining how we could remake our societies for the benefit of nature and humankind. His new book is a powerful call to imagine a better world. It should be widely read and appreciated. One episode of the ‘From What If to What Next’ podcast every two weeks, each exploring a different ‘What If’ questionPeople like Rob Hopkins give us the courage to move forward. By setting an example, he shows us that we are right to place our hopes in a future in which men and women can act as stewards of their environment. The many stories in this book are evidence of the fact that for some people this future has already become a reality.

From What Is to What If (Audiobook) - Chelsea Green Publishing From What Is to What If (Audiobook) - Chelsea Green Publishing

We do have the capability to effect dramatic change, Hopkins argues, but we’re failing because we’ve largely allowed our most critical tool to languish: human imagination. As defined by social reformer John Dewey, imagination is the ability to look at things as if they could be otherwise. The ability, that is, to ask What if? And if there was ever a time when we needed that ability, it is now. The longer our inertia persists, the steeper and more demanding that task becomes. As Jim Skea, co-chair of IPCC Working Group III, stated when the report was released, ‘Limiting warming to 1.5ºC is possible within the laws of chemistry and physics but doing so would require unprecedented changes.’ ⁷ There will be lots of online events and activities happening throughout this process and we don’t expect you to be able to take part in them all – though brilliant if you can!

Episode Five: What if we treated people at the end of their lives with the same reverence,  care and love as we do at the beginning of their lives?

From What Is to What If is a profound look at imagination's potential to enact progress and a call for us to make space for the things we often overlook. Hopkins confronts the most pressing issues of our times and urges us to look closer, reconnect with our roots, adapt slower modes of production, and work collectively. Imagination is within reach; it can and it will continue to salvage and elevate communities while driving us towards more sustainable and resilient futures. -Theaster Gates, artist; founder and director, Rebuild Foundation Towns and cities have already begun transition. Together, mayors have chosen to press ahead toward a healthier and safer world. Whether in Paris or in Totnes, initiatives are being launched and are encouraging us to shift from 'why not' to 'how' and from 'how ' to 'when.' The movement must gain momentum and expand. We do have the capability to effect dramatic change, Hopkins argues, but we’re failing because we’ve largely allowed our most critical tool to languish: human imagination. As defined by social reformer John Dewey, imagination is the ability to look at things as if they could be otherwise. The ability, that is, to ask What if? And if there was ever a time when we needed that ability, it is now. Imagination is central to empathy, to creating better lives, to envisioning and then enacting a positive future. Yet imagination is also demonstrably in decline at precisely the moment when we need it most. In this passionate exploration, Hopkins asks why imagination is in decline, and what we must do to revive and reclaim it. Once we do, there is no end to what we might accomplish.

From What Is to What If By Rob Hopkins | New | 9781645020295

Decline in reading books. National Endowment for the Arts research shows the number of adults reading at least one book of fiction for pleasure in the previous year had dropped from 57% in 1982 to 43% in 2015. Reading fiction and engaging in conversations makes us more creative and more empathetic. Charles Chu (the writer) calculates that with the average reading speed of 400 words per minute, it would take 417 hours in a year to read 200 books. The average American spends 608 hours on social media each year and 1,642 hours watching TV. Social media use makes us feel more lonely, but we spend 65% of our waking hours in front of screens - so no wonder the BBC has found that the sense of community has declined in every area of the UK. I love this book. It is an extraordinary, reality-based report on people around the world applying the power of imagination to rebuild relationships and create a fulfilling, creative, and possible human future together. An essential read for all who care.” —David C. Korten, author of Change the Story, Change the Future and When Corporations Rule the World The flip side: This tells us that we can enhance our imagination if we manage to improve the functioning of the hippocampus. Some low-hanging fruits: Get enough sleep, get proper nutrition and enough exercise and make a serious effort to reduce stress.Transition projects relating to local economy, community resilience, neighbourhood mutual aid, support for disadvantaged groups, local food growing and more. You’ll notice that the seed funding is directed at groups in England only – Transition Network is delegated to distribute seed-funding from The National Lottery Community Fund’s Covid-19 emergency response programme, which specifically supports communities in England. We’d like to give our thanks to National Lottery players for making this possible. For the latest news on Transition: Bounce Forward