Comics, Dinners, Bulletin Boards, Junk – a way to a new future
No one really knows how and when these things will affect us, but, major events are on the horizon: peak oil, global warming, national debt, population growth, resource collapse (and as if we needed more – pandemics, nuclear proliferation, terrorism). Those affected will likely turn for support to relatives, friends, government or organizations, in short, the communities they/we live in. If or when this happens, people will either be familiar with the idea of sharing resources and enabling change, or not so familiar. Likely, some will and some won’t, and those numbers will depend to some degree on how well communicators and community have prepared. Are preparing.
How do I prepare, if I don’t know what the future will be like? For some of us, day-to-day life can look pretty normal much of the time. But if big changes are coming – generally speaking – the better the communication and interaction within a community, the more likely it is that better outcomes will result. So improve communication and interaction, but how? How does one introduce new behaviors within a community (without resorting to scare tactics)? One answer is to enhance relationships within a community, within the context of the current environment (not within the context of some future upheaval). Make it fun, enjoyable and different, in an interesting sort of way. Encourage interaction in a familiar yet stimulating way, with the underlying purpose of promoting community awareness that is flexible and responsive.
Comics and alternative publications. Rejuvenate libraries as community centers by opening them up to more alternative and local media such as comics, minor journals, self-published books, and graphic novels. Increasing variety and range of appeal can attract a broader range of people to this space. Where, among other things, they can peruse the postings on a bulletin board.
Dinners (lunch, breakfast) and other social activities with neighbors. Whether purposefully or spontaneously, eating together or playing board games, is a good way to bring people together. This can take many forms – weekend breakfasts, bag lunches, family game night, etc.. On-line services like Meetup.com can help facilitate get-togethers.
Bulletin boards. The physical kind, serve practical needs, as well as bring people together to one space (the board). Boards can promote entrepreneurship or self employment, give-aways, social calendars and public announcements. They can be placed in one or many locations, inside or outside, and can be structured in ways that promote a range of uses.
Junk sales/swaps. Can promote interaction and exchanges of commodities whether books and media, or thrift-store items, either bought and sold, or simply given away or exchanged. They can be organized as fundraisers or simply informal recycling areas for easy picking. Multipurpose recycling.
Presenting these ideas as one package helps promote the idea of community interaction as the central theme rather than focusing on individual activities. In other words, CDBJ is not about comics, dinners, bulletin boards, or junk per-se, it is about promoting resources that enable individuals to collaborate more effectively in ways that bring benefit to everyone – now and in the future.
This example comes from a middle class community West of London, Neston Village.
Notice how many of these involve groups gathering together, informally, and socially.
Outdoor.
Indoor. This example is by the Neighbors Project.
Example of alternative journal display.
