The psychology of change ii: now it's personal

So you take one sunny, roomy village hall (say, Chacewater, Cornwall) and fill it with students, social scientists, political science lecturers, landscape managers, tourism business owners, a priest, energy consultants, refugee justice activists, musicians, climate activists, and you start a discussion about change.

It was fab. My thought is deeply provoked.

We talked about the psychology of Us; about the psychology of Other; and how to make the connection. We talked about memory, and imagination; about fear, disavowal, confirmation bias, challenge, dissent, social rules, broken rules, breaking rules and the compulsion of tribe; we talked about leadership and followship, about change and revolution and Wittgenstein and words, about the hippocampus and collaboration and the power of poetry.

As one Cafe Disruptif member said:

          " Hey... what a day. What a wonderful day. I'm inspired by all of you extraordinary people, by the sense of solidarity and hope, by the anger and frustration, by the questioning and caring and exploring and debating and challenging. Thank you. What did I learn? That everyone, from the asylum seeker to the racist, is one of us and has a right to be heard. That common space, whether on a train or a pub or a park bench, is where exploration can be carried out without threat. That institutions are groups of individuals with fears and anxieties and territories to protect just like the rest of us - the only difference is the visibility of the wall they've built around them. That hope is everywhere. That we must be always alert to the danger of creating for ourselves that which we condemn in others - ie a new tribe with our own boundaries to protect. That in the end justice shall prevail."

What we came together for:


"Inspiration
to learn : for inspiration and insights into behaviour changes : to share ideas :
to be less fearful : to listen, think, share, collaborate: to maintain the momentum:
community sustainability : learn more about positive change in Cornwall:
 to find out who are those change makers and what can I do to help? :
  all the above and below, and more : to find out more about what I can do to help refugees:
: to huddle: to fuel the engine: to share ideas
 to find out how to influence those who can help bring about change: political behaviour :
: ideas hunting: to work out why it's so difficult to change things
: to join the family: "

"

What we got out of it ...

what we shared at the end of the day :


What area of change are you working for?

"Feminism mainly"

"Pushing the importance of the carbon agenda and be apart of non-financial projects which align with my values and beliefs."

"Pollution ; specifically in Falmouth"

"Plastic pollution"

"Because need further change"
"
The World"

"Speed of change too slow"

"Plastic pollution"

"Changing the plastic habit"

"To be educated on how I can change and help I need to focus!"

"Social justice in all aspects, using the arts (poetry in particular) to highlight issues and reinforce change. Through my study of polities and international relations I can try to see how these changes can appear in policy"

"All areas that design touches, which is all areas."

"Main areas currently carbon neutral / green internet and tech future. Apple for instance is now 87% off grid renewable powered, Google I believe near 100%. Homelessness is another area I wish to tackle initially with my side project Fonts for Change. And then measuring what matters via B Corp and their BIA tool and showing others how to measure their social and environmental aspects of their business."

"Professional - transport (behaviour change for environment and health)
Personal - wildlife conservation, social justice etc."

"People's apathy, the assumption that it's their god-given right  to drive their overweight child half a mile to school. The 'you can't tell me what to do' attitude. People's shocking lack of consideration for others/environment. Also, arseing around with 'has this been proven?' instead of 'does this make perfect sense?'"

"Natural environment"


What do you find most difficult/frustrating in this work?


"I struggle to express my thoughts, I don't know how to do public speaking
and I end up shutting up instead"

"Town council and bureacracy"

"How to lead and involve followers fully to create a team!"

"Government and the Economic Growth paradigm"

"The types of people that I have to deal with that are primarily financially focused, old school, often in powerful positions that want to dumb down the carbon element of the reporting and focus on the financial elements. Apart from that the Government going for quick big wins and paying lip service to the very large industrial sectors who always dumb down policy because the carbon targets are too difficult … bollocks!"

"Learning to communicate with people and sharing a light"

"To help others and communicate"

"Communicating to others"

"Trying to communicate and influence those around me"

"Time commitments and burn outs"

"Too Many things..."

"People who are not willing to listen or become defensive when conflicted."

 
What have been the most useful things you have learned today?
Can you explain why it's useful for you?

 
"That there are lots of unique people with great objectives and goals
It makes me feel that one day I'll be able to do the same -  that I'll definitely come more often"
 
"The day opened my eyes to the fact that there is a lot more going on in society that needs disrupting. The talks gave me insight to the wider aspects of our socio-political mess."

"The talks on language, tribes and groups I found directly correlated to my frustrations and can see that I have been guilty of assuming that my clients are as interested or believe exactly what I do in regards to climate change and carbon … maybe they don’t !!"

"We should at some stage distil those areas that we collectively wish to focus upon and begin to directly engage with them, through conversations, use of social media, correspondence etc. I was struck by the fact that 15 years ago that it would have possibly been a tad difficult to bring together such an eclectic mix of individuals and intellect into one room, some of which have on the surface apposing view points and beliefs."

"Very positive and energising. I will be attending regularly
and attempt to bring Daisy along to the next event."

"I am more aware of the positive change happening in Cornwall
and the wide network of support behind those change makers."

"I have spoken to some incredible uprising individuals -
all who are passionate about actively helping the community and planet."

"Connections which I could further research into how I can set up my own planet/people project"

"If everyone in Cornwall had just a slither of passion, drive and persistence like what these amazing people do - then we would be the ultimate leading county!"

"There is an opportunity and momentum  - I feel energised!"

"The wide diversity - people coming from Bude - help me to make further connections"

"Sharing stories"

"The day gave me a lot. My brain is getting more into gear.
Joining with similar people and developing thinking. Speed of ideas ..."
 
"Remembering imagination. Talking to the naysayers - learn how to change ideas ..."

"I am not alone. Eveyone is trying to overcome the same obstacles no matter what their mission. Boosts my determination to succeed in my mission!"
 
"Sharing information and building connections ... I know I'm not alone in trying to change the world  - Momentum is building!"

"Imagination and building alternatives as well as moving beyond conversation into action.
It applies theory to the changes I am trying to make as well as practised steps ..."

"The need for money, lack of time, staying focused on one idea, balancing life, its tipped towards work currently."

"Some of the theories of how & why people act ..."

"That the definitive footpath map needs action!"

"It's always good to know I'm not alone, that I'm allowed to be angry,
and that being considered subversive is cool!"

"I love this quote about optimism (I don't know where from) "The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them". Thanks for a great session - especially loved the food and the food woman's project - no New Zealand apples this time!"

"That the number of individual complex systems is in itself complex. "

 
What can we as Cafe Disruptif collectively do now/better to improve our ability to connect with others on the big issues we face to deliver transformational change?


"More group work to connect with other activities"

"Resource bank"

"I liked the concept of what greenies can learn from the god- squad. There is an 'intentional health' programme through the church, with motivational reminders to be mindful about health choices. Perhaps we need to initiate an 'intentional environmentalism/activism' platform?"

"An emphasis on social media platforms"

"It's about us, all of us, those that are with us already and those that need to be engaged in a variety of ways to join us in collaboration for a people and planet. And that more time is needed....retreat next please, 2 days, evening campfires, talks, open spacing and activities. I'm here to help lets set 'us' on fire."

"Not enough time. Keep being the change, but shake it up a bit, maybe smaller set Cafe Disruptif sessions on one thing, ie refugees, soil futures, homelessness, collaboration.
180 minutes burner sessions Why, What, How, When maybe....."

"It's great to hear about aspects of what needs changing in a positive light. I'd like more practical applications of what we can do - who to write to, how to talk to people without turning them right off - how to do that 'being in the same clan' stuff. I'd like 1 or 2 people each time to give a very short example/case study of a thing or technique that's worked for them personally or professionally (e.g. a book they recommend, something that saves generating waste (like Mooncups!) or a method of engaging people who wouldn't ordinarily have been"

"Sectoral workshops"

"Bring on a bit more disruption!"

"The people are fuel enough, days like Cafe Disruptif days are the tinder that ignites some of the brightest flames. I also feel it's not just momentum/fuel it's a great pause to self reflect, to see people, friends old and new, to share to regroup."

"Have regular meetings to share knowledge and information. I want more!"

"Thanks!!"

With thanks to Anette Drevsen, volunteer extraordinaire for managing to take photos as well as do everything else...

MORNING SESSION

Below are PDF's of some of the presentations, so they show almost all the slides but without the links and the animations. If you want the real thing, just comment below or email us on wildly brilliant @ outlook . com and we'll get a copy across to you!


Jeremy Putnam on the Importance of Language:

Manda Brookman on The Psychology of Us, The Psychology of Other, and The Psychology of Making The Connection

Rob Hopkins and all that glorious stuff about The Imagination:

That fantastic Heineken ad building the bar of happiness...

The Dancing Guy!!

Why Facts Don't Convince People (and please excuse the rather outdated cartoon depictions...!)

Alesha's take on the day:

   This is Alesha - a student from Falmouth, who worked with 
    Cafe Disruptif during March to help run the Cafe Disruptif
     Session at Chacewater. These are her reflections on the day ...

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