We have serious institutional rot. I have to believe that a good portion of our societal polarization is due from the fact that the institutions we’ve looked to solve our problems have become little more than self-serving and dysfunctional, beginning with the federal government. Regardless who’s in power, whatever party — nothing happens but incessant obstructionism.
Just as bad though (and maybe worse), is that we continue to naively believe this behavior will change and these antiquated institutions will rise up and reclaim the glory we perceive they had looking back through our rose-colored glasses. What we don’t see is the glory should really belong to us, the people in the streets. The only ones who can help us is us and those around us — our Middle Ring. No matter what politician we stand behind or how well-intended they may be — ultimately they’re shackled by the ‘system’ and the dysfunction that has set in over seemingly decades. I call this reclaiming of the streets by the Middle Ring, Hopepunk. Imagine the do-it-yourself mentality of steampunk but used for civic ends; the cobbling together and maximizing of resources and expertise we all have to solve our own problems and realize the opportunities around us.
Ukraine is a perfect example of the power of Hopepunk. Entire communities are risking everything to stand up against Putin and his assumingly far superior military. If it were only the Ukrainian military fighting — the country would be overrun. Power from comes from the streets though … and most often through collaboration from those who are connected only through neighborhood proximity. The Middle Ring, using the resourcefulness of Hopepunk most likely will save their country. Let this be an example for all of us, no matter what issues we face.
Let me introduce Melvin’s Neighborhood. The Neighborhood is a project, an alternative societal vision, designed to rejuvenate civic participation by circumventing the traditional public sector. Instead the Neighborhood utilizes ‘the people’ working through a network of small businesses and organizations in the community. Melvin’s Neighborhood is a safe haven for all creatures; big, small, human and otherwise. 😊
Building Strong Residents
In order to maximize the collective potential of ‘the people’, ‘the people’ need to maximize their individual potential. A sick and isolated populace is not likely to succeed at rebuilding their world … or much of anything else. ‘The people’ need to be mentally and physically fit and socially connected.
We at the Neighborhood believe that the journey is what matters, not the destination or even where you start. Same goes for the efforts to make you a better self. Melvin is a partner on your journey, an automated connection to your community. He/she/it/they helps you in your process using “A Look In The Mirror”, a well-being assessment designed to ferret out the areas that might help you a achieve a more fulfilling journey. The results from this ‘look’ are turned into points of action that nudge you to improvement and actualization. These nudges are communicated to you through suggestions and offers from a network of local businesses and organizations (Front Porches) in the physical community where you live. “Opening The Shades” is a morning email synopsis of these communications that correlate to the findings of your “Look In The Mirror”.
Front Porches
Our definition of infrastructure needs to evolve if we are to truly take advantage of ‘the people’. The constraints of hierarchy and our “hand everything over” to political representation needs to be subjugated in order for us move ahead. Enter the philosophy of Gilles Deleuze, a French philosopher; and Félix Guattari, a French psychiatrist and social activist. These two envisioned an organizational and societal model based on the opportunity-based structure of plant rhizomes; the root-like structures that flourish ubiquitously under our back yards. Rhizomes look for opportunities to spout and present themselves to the world when and where the conditions are right (e.g. water, light, nutrients).
In my interpretation of Deleuze and Guattari’s model, we augment our existing malaise-ridden civic hierarchy with a network of the backbone of our communities; our locally-rooted small businesses and their informal civic leadership presence. Deleuze and Guattari refer to this function as the Smooth Space. I call this backbone, Front Porches. It’s here situations for civic improvement are identified and executed; with residents having unique and relevant abilities rising to the surface and taking the lead - much like a rhizome would when the conditions are right. This Situational Leadership is the basis of the decentralized network that represents the evolution of civic organization.
Melvin’s Neighborhood not only leans on these local entities, but strengthens them by connecting them with Residents through a database-driven marketing and loyalty system using the results of the Resident’s “Look In The Mirror” well-being assessments. This system is called the bleedingEDGE Experience platform. As a result of this synthesis, the Residents of the Neighborhood will not only develop an empowered sense of agency and self-efficacy; they will see opportunities arise for them to contribute — contribute in a situational nomadic way that was unavailable with the hierarchical status quo.
The Neighborhood And Beyond
It’s not enough to improve each Resident individually and just assume the collective will follow. We need to intentionally revamp the civic space they reside in along with it. We do that by creating community norms and expectations that stress empathy and generosity throughout the Front Porch network using a variety of nudges, augmented reality nests throughout the community, a Neighborhood Appreciation Cards program and Front Porch organized and executed volunteer causes aimed at plugging the holes left by our antiquated institutional rot. In Deleuze and Guattari’s rhizome model, this is called the Body Without Organs. I call it our community’s consciousness. A community built around the tenets of Melvin’s Neighborhood will have a consciousness of benevolence, empathy and well-being — as well as operating with a high bar designed for action, not just discussion.
Melvin’s Neighborhood is a non-exclusive alternative. It’s not meant to overthrow or burn down anything. Nelson Mandela coined the concept of “a society within a society”. His concept assumes that an alternative built alongside (or inside) the old will gain converts usurping power and influence —leading to large-scale societal evolution; one built on a more civilized and collaborative set of social and economic tenets.
Melvin’s Neighborhood is the confluence of forty years of experiences; successes and failures, focuses and lack their of. It’s the product (very possibly the final one) of why I’m here. Join me on the journey.
Please visit Melvin's Neighborhood and follow the journey to civic self-efficacy and self-actualization.
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