Ever notice how every time a horrible or seemingly unexpected thing occurs, someone finds some sci-fi book* or episode of The Simpsons** that “predicted” it?
This morning I found myself wondering if our minds are creative by nature (IE manifest reality), then why the F are so many of us pushing out dystopian or otherwise redonkulously awful outcomes for ourselves? And even if we are not creative in this way, and simply churning out entertainment, then why not put forward some wildly entertaining and outrageously wonderful scenarios to ponder? Why not conjure a pungent, detailed, policy-laden positive vision for our future?
And why should you do this today?
So, here’s my call to me and you: breathe like it’s the dawning of 2023, and we are looking back at what occurred in 2022 and celebrating it. What vibrant, detailed and amazing outcomes are in place or well on their way? What is far better than we ever could have imagined in the 1980s, 90s, 2000s, today? What are our cultural relationships like? Our experiences? What are our politics, social structures, technology and priorities? What exactly are we doing with our ingenuity, power and resources as a nation?
Holy moly, there are so many things to do…
A writing prompt: take a look at the actions that have been executed by the current administration¹ and start there. Pick a month maybe, look at what went weirdly backward, and at a minimum reverse that month’s actions in your narrative. Or hey, if you feel all fantasy-utopian ‘manifesitive,’ write up a detailed picture of what policies, cultural knowings, human evolution, and otherwise expansive compassions are in place in 2022. Don’t hold back on the fun.
There. Doesn’t that feel better?
For instance, you notice a repeal of protections for Native American lands, paving the way for pipelines and damage. You imagine how we’ve come to reconcile, make amends and otherwise protect and raise up the folks who truly know how to love this land we enjoy. If you were visiting a most enlightened and richly-endowed friend’s house, and they said “make yourself at home,” how would you treat that place? What wonders would you experience? What conversations would you have? What would you learn? How would you grow? Describe it, and don’t be all cynical or “realistic,” Flippin’ Go For It! Toss some policy ideas in there too for God’s Sake… maybe some future leaders will be reading. Maybe some leaders are reading right now, and need some exciting ideas.
After all, the dystopian writers always have excavated the furthest corners of their imaginations for rich and compelling copy. Why the heck can’t we conjure up extraordinary outcomes?
Oops, of course we can!
If you want an “assignment” to do this, let me know and I’ll send you a specific prompt to turn waaaayyyy around. If we get enough Vision 2022 goodies, I’ll do my best to a way to publish it to the web. Let’s crowd-source best policy and social futures that make us all feel hope-filled and give us some crazy good direction to head toward… Yeah, baby!
This is at best a way to envision a fabulous future, and at worst some damn good entertainment.
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*Book that “predicted” pandemic
** Simpsonsdamus
¹First Quarter 2020 Actions by current admin
Running list executive orders by current admin
Major exec actions thru 2017
“Hate” agenda moves (compiled by HRC)
Human rights tracker, current admin
