Deep Time Philanthropy and the Evolution of Consciousness

Looks to historical movements (religious, artistic, scientific) to distill a) how to recognise transformational ideas/ work b) what it takes for these ideas to transform cultures c) non-linear phases of this work. Stresses cultural transformation is multi-generational.

Article written following conversations with system thinkers and philanthropy about how to create consciousness shifts. Author looks to past religious, artistic and scientific movements, including spread of Buddhism, Taosim and the quantum and cybernetic revolutions to distill key features of “emerging” movements that shift/ transform consciousness but in the present are hard to recognise. Discusses the value of ‘patronage’ (while acknowledging the word is problematic, sharing an etymological root with patrichay). Previous ideas, e.g Buddishm - had wealthy patrons. Current day philanthropy is not the same as patronage - but could be, is the implication.

Article has many lists! Draws on/ distilled a longer checklist created by Gemma Mortensen, Graham Leicester and Cassie Robinson on ‘tracking emergence’ or ‘glimmers of the future’. Some interesting questions drawn from the checlist, useful for deep narrative studio: Is there a clear model that addresses a critical systems contradiction? Does this work actually create genuine consciousness shifts or result in new capabilities? Is there a sense of fractal coherence across scales? Is there a palpable aliveness or generative energy around this work? (Refer to article for fuller list of questions inspired by the checklist)

Stresses inner and outer work in combination with practitioners and philanthropy co-designing and co-evolving the work. Stresses the longer view: “Take the long view: the quantum revolution happened a century ago, and its implications have yet to sink in! Cultural transformation is a generational process, not a communications strategy.”

Suggests different nonlinear phrases to the work: emergence, coalescence, maturation, integration.