intersecre

Change. It happens at a snails pace, on the backs of individuals with passion, commitment and foresight.

It happens where individuals transect multiple paradigms. To the front, their primary motivation; to the left, the systems they must influence to achieve this; to the right, the mavericks; behind, their own well-being. They filter, interpret, influence, negotiate and advocate, making new ways of thinking palatable. They’re patient and multilingual brokers, continually look lengthwise along their shoulders for windows of opportunity to enable change to occur. And slowly, slowly they move the juggernauts forward.

[image of a David Reekie sculpture 'A Captive Audience? by Ayres no graces]

Others croak from their lilypads to their pond of adoring fans, calling for revolution, uniting the fold. Without the support of those on the intersections their sphere of influence is narrow. The intersects are points of refraction.

Critics are spurned and outcast – right-wing, gutless, do-gooders – although in many cases they’re the causes greatest advocates. Energy is wasted with non-productive time spent forcing people to take sides.

This was the case when the ripples of influence stopped at the edge of the edupunk pond . While the ideal -  DIY, anti-authority, share and share alike – remains the goal for many on the intersections, the metaphor simply did not resonate. It may have acted well as a kick up the bum for the pond dwellers who were becoming complacent, but there was potential to undo years of progress. There’s plenty written on the topic; I’m not going to replicate that here.

‘Edupunk is dead’ says Alex Hayes. Thank goodness.
Let’s stop the rhetoric and get things happening.