How To Light A Spark. The Unsolved Problem of Movements.

We have many pieces in place. We’ve got a good idea of how to prevent climate collapse, and fix some of our civilization’s most egregious ills. But how do we set a gigantic widespread and disciplined movement in motion?

Photo by Andrés on Unsplash

I think of it as the great unsolved problem. Much is known about movements — why some succeed and others fail. But what takes a movement from tiny and invisible (and therefore ineffective) to an energetic sizable community, working together and generating real change?

That’s one of my current challenges. Over the last few months (and, actually, last two years), I’ve been studying movements and using what I’ve learned to shape our group, The Saners.

I’m pretty convinced that our core ideas and strategies are sound. And I think our messages are compelling and resonate with most people who hear them.

Ah, but who hears them? Not nearly enough people. Not yet. This is an issue I need to solve. The Saners need to make things happen. So far, we haven’t been able to get things done.

We need to raise awareness and generate actual activity. Excitement. Hope. Possibilities. And ultimately, a feeling of inevitability.

Often, It Seems To Happen Spontaneously—Or Not At All