InfluencerCon Presents

Gatekeepers & Crashers: Thriving Or Dying?

1 2 Table Of Contents

INTRODUCTION 05

CREDITS 06

ESSAYS

Gate Keepers 11

Bayo Akomolafe 13

Michael Brooks 20

Sebastien Felix 22

Gilad Goren 25

Dowshan Humzah 28

Nick Seneca Jankel 34

Hortense Koster 38

Alnoor Ladha (Part 1) 41

Alnoor Ladha (Part 2) 46

Sara Shamsavari 48

3 INTRODUCTION

4 GATEKEEPERS/CRASHERS: Thriving or Dying?

What is Influencer Conference? exactly what we are seeking to do. Convert ideas and Influencer Conference (InfluencerCon) exists at the insights into something larger, more connected, shareable intersection of values, culture, creativity & commerce. with universal elements. Alchemy allows us to go beyond our host cities and engage influencers who might not be able to InfluencerCon is a global content platform that identifies and attend or speak. supports influencer culture globally. Influencer culture is the unique space occupied by artist, entrepreneurs, innovators, “Gatekeepers/Crashers: Thriving or Dying?” philanthropist & technologist. By bringing tastemakers and The advent of technology and digital media was supposed to game-changers across industries and territories together, herald the end of the age of gatekeepers. The 21st century InfluencerCon establishes itself as the standard bearer for promised the democratization of communication and access. those who are pushing boundaries and creating Now, almost 15 years into a new century, it begs the question what is “NEXT”. whether that has that truly been the case? Has the power and privilege of gatekeepers subsided or, has the expansion of InfluencerCon breaks down traditional “silo-ed” thinking technology actually had the opposite effect, increasing their and encourage cross functionality. Our community presents reach and power? a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in authentic influencer culture. Creativity, open and fair exchange, For all of the talk of the democratization of the creative process, passion, collaboration and a commitment to rich and gatekeepers are more firmly entrenched than ever. How do authentic experiences are critical elements of influencer creators of arts based culture navigate and succeed, as the gates culture. In turn, the InfluencerCon global community get higher? How do well-meaning gatekeepers connect to and connects those engaged in meaningful and sustainable enhance existing cultural ecosystems? We pull the covers back pursuits and assists them in actualizing their vision. and reveal the true machinations behind culture, commerce and influence by bringing gatekeepers and gatecrashers face to face a What is Alchemy? modern day showdown between new age Visigoths and their Alchemy, is a digital journal that serves as an expansion of roman emperor counterparts. our conference theme.

The definition of alchemy is the medieval forerunner of chemistry, based on the supposed transformation of matter. It was concerned particularly with attempts to convert base metals into gold or to find a universal elixir. This defines

5 CREDITS

6 Philip L. McKenzie is the Global Proctor & Gamble and McDonalds to Curator of Influencer Conference. name a few. Influencer Conference is a global content platform that brings Philip is a passionate supporter of the together tastemakers in the arts, arts. He has been a Supporting Partner entrepreneurship, philanthropy and of the Alvin Ailey American Dance technology to discuss the current Theatre since 1999. He is formerly and future state of influencer a Junior Associate of the Museum culture. From its beginnings in 2010 of Modern Art and a member of the in NYC, InfluencerCon has grown Apollo Circle of the Metropolitan to include London, Berlin, Detroit, Museum of Art. He is a rabid music Sao Paulo, Mumbai and Tel Aviv. fan and accomplished DJ. He spends Philip is responsible for building and his summers attending as many Dave Philip L. McKenzie working with global teams, identifying Matthews Band concerts as Global Curator trendsetters for participation and the humanly possible. Influencer Conference synthesis of the global theme. Prior to his Duke MBA, Philip earned Prior to that he was the Managing a bachelor of business administration Partner of FREE DMC, an influencer from Howard University majoring in marketing agency that specialized in finance with a minor concentration integrated marketing strategy, digital in philosophy. content creation, and experiential events. In his roles with FREE DMC, Philip resides in Brooklyn but travels Philip created strategic experiential extensively wherever the wind takes campaigns for Jaguar, Sprite, Remy him. He is working on a book with co- Martin and Belvedere Vodka to author, Michael Brooks titled There Are name a few. No Shortcuts! A Revolutionaries Guide To The Future. After completing his MBA at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, Philip joined Goldman, Sachs & Co where he worked in Domestic Equity Trading. His first trading responsibilities were in the Healthcare sector followed by a role in Consumer Products where he traded companies such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi,

7 Yves Louis-Jacques is a parter and He was also a partner for FREE DMC, strategist at InfluencerCon. He a marketing and content agency, where holds a dual Master of Public Policy he led brand strategy and partnerships. degree from Sciences Po Paris and Yves’ career began at Accenture, Columbia University, as well as a where he spent 8 years leading client BBA from Howard University. Prior engagements in the public service to InfluencerCon, Yves advised and media and entertainment groups. international donor organizations His work included organizational and INVESTMENT advisory firms assessments, strategy support, and the on frontier market investment implementation of financial reporting opportunities and facilitation and market analytics solutions. Mr. initiatives. Yves also served as a Louis-Jacques is a Haitian national financial analyst at the Central Bank of and speaks both Kreyol and French Yves Louis-Jacques the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, fluently. Parter and Strategist where he tracked the performance Influencer Conference of the UAE’s real estate market and analyzed the stability of the financial sector.

8 Maitreyi Doshi-Joshi is a Graphic Maitreyi has graduated from Concord Designer and a Community Artist University in rural West Virginia, USA based in Pune, India. She is the founder with a degree in Graphic Design, Studio and Principle Designer of Maitri Art and Political Science. Maitreyi’s Designs a design studio that works desires to use art, and graphic design on Print, Web and Community Art as a tool for social change lead Projects. Maitreyi, her to pursue a Masters degree in Community Arts from the Maryland She has worked with the World Wide Institute College of Art, Baltimore Workshop, New York as a Special USA. Project’s Coordinator. She has worked as the Outreach and Marketing She currently has started her own Coordinator with the Creative Alliance, design studio called “Maitri Designs” Maitreyi Doshi-Joshi Baltimore. which works on all kinds of Design and Founder/Princpal Designer Community Arts. Maitri Designs She moved back to India after living and working in the US for 6 years. She worked with Elephant Design as a Designer.

Maitreyi, was one of the delegates representing India at the Junior Summit held by MIT Media Lab, USA. She was part of the youth caucus that lobbied for youth participation at the UN World Summit on Information Society. She has published several articles on design, information and communication technologies. Her activism gave her a chance to travel extensively at a young age.

9 ESSAYS

10 We Are Our Own Gatekeepers This is What We Can Do About It

Philip L. McKenzie Global Curator “Our strategy should be not only to “The profit motive is often in conflict with Influencer Conference confront empire, but to lay siege to it. To the aims of art. We live in capitalism, its deprive it of oxygen. To shame it. To mock power seems inescapable – but then, so it. With our art, our music, our literature, did the divine right of kings. Any human our stubbornness, our joy, our brilliance, power can be resisted and changed by our sheer relentlessness – and our ability human beings. Resistance and change to tell our own stories. Stories that are often begin in art. Very often in our art, different from the ones we’re being the art of words.” – from Ursula L LeGuin brainwashed to believe. speech at National Book Awards, 2014

The corporate revolution will collapse if When I decided to examine what we refuse to buy what they are selling it means to be a gatekeeper or a – their ideas, their version of history, gatecrasher I initially approached their wars, their weapons, their notion of it from a common ideological inevitability. assumptions. My first assumption was these concepts are opposed to one Remember this: We be many and they another. There is a gate i.e. a barrier be few. They need us more than we need of some sort that must be accessed them. by those on the outside. That access comes only through a gatekeeper, a Another world is not only possible, she is person or institutional control designed on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her to limit access to those who have breathing.” - Arundhati Roy, War Talk power. My second assumption was to

11 “We are all gatekeepers. something, even if that something is one another realize our potential. Our “only” ourselves. As our data becomes duty is to re-imagine a gatekeeper not We all have the means more important to corporations and as a point to block or obstruct access governments alike, perhaps that is but rather as a point to gain entry. If to control access to enough. But we’ll save that for another each of us is a mode of influence in a time. So if we are all gatekeepers where networked system that is open and something, even if that does that leave us? We must re-imagine managed from a position of abundance our relationship to that nomenclature it is possible to outweigh the something is “only” and ultimately to each other. The monopolistic interest of institutional existing gatekeeper/crasher paradigm gatekeepers. Such a system requires ourselves.” is an adversarial binary. It functions so that its participants are held to a high well because it supports the existing standard and we are self policing. The particular status that is in constant scarcity model. Opportunities, access, behavioral norms, expectations, tools flux with situational bias. Rather than financial resources are positioned of measurement, and relationship being portrayed as oppositional points as finite and scarce. If that is the to power of traditional gatekeepers along an axis I would offer they have a status quo then gatekeepers are in must be rejected. In a world where we yin-yang relationships. Rather it is our possession of something powerful and are all gatekeepers we can leverage connection to these terms that imbue valuable. Gatecrashers need those our collective networks to become them with power and explain how we same resources and compete in order more connected and build sustainable relate to them. to gain them. On and on it goes. If that movements that serve our community logic is turned on itself you begin to and ourselves. We have so democratized the idea sow the seeds of change. If the world of gatekeepers and gatecrashers it is an abundant place, with resources might be more a more realistic view (however one measures them) for that we are all gatekeepers, in one everyone then there is no need to fashion or another. What needs to compete in a zero sum framework. If be contextualized is how we relate we view each other as gatekeepers to these terms and how we use our then we have a significant opportunity newfound power as gatekeepers. The to alter that power relationship with old way of thinking about and accessing each other. the power dynamics of gatekeepers Our world should become one that is and gatecrashers is over and that networked in order to support and help leaves fertile ground for something new to flourish. We are all gatekeepers. We all have the means to control access to

12 An ‘Oríkì’ for the Times: Reflections on Wonder and Change Bayo Akomolafe (PhD) Coordinator Economics of Happiness but now it was time to say goodbye – International Alliance Conference, Portland perhaps for the very last time. for Localization February 27 – March 1, 2015 As I drove away, careful to acknowledge Bayo Akomolafe is a lecturer and This past year, on an October the rattling protests of the humongous ethnopsychotherapeutic researcher afternoon, we carefully secured the heap of books and unwieldy furniture in Covenant University, Nigeria. last piece of luggage to our truck, said we had accumulated during our sojourn He is also the Coordinator of a half-smiling, teary-eyed goodbye as academics, I started to think about the International Alliance for to our house, and drove away from what we were doing – and how I didn’t Localization, whose mission is to our University home. We called that quite have a name for it. protect and renew ecological and home Aurora, and my wife and I had social well-being by promoting a lived in her dancing lights for a few Our colleagues did. Some thought systemic shift away from economic years during our work as lecturers leaving the privileged positions we (and epistemic) centralization or in a university in Nigeria. She had occupied in search of some kind of globalization towards localization. blessed us with so many gifts, so many bohemian existence was a ‘mistake’; our He is an international speaker, treasured memories: we watched students and a few friends, quite sad to author, and poet-activist for a Alethea, our one-year old daughter, spit see us go (even though we are expected radical paradigm shift in collective out her first maybe-words in Aurora; to return to the University in two consciousness. Bayo and Ijeoma, his we planted our first garden under her years), felt that our quest for a smaller wife of Indian descent, are passionate amused gaze, and experimented with life and keener days was inspirational. about alternative futures - and spend fusing Indian and Nigerian cuisines Between Ej, my wife, and I, our families their days unlearning with Alethea- when we weren’t attending meetings wondered if we would earn just as much Aanya, their young daughter. or marking examination scripts. In money as we had earned lecturing. many ways we were born in Aurora,

13 However, through the interstices – names are fixed, often brief, and of a thousand labels, behind the often embarrassing – especially if many names people had contrived to your parents deem it fit to call you understand our transition and make Voldemort or something that might sense of our movement, we had a song; be a fitting moniker for a biological a queer kind of knowing that didn’t curiosity. Oríkìs have no such fixity. If lend itself easily to the logics and data you happened upon a name, materially about how life ought to be lived. We reconfigured and embodied, it might had something ‘else’, something wilder, look like a red spot in an ocean of white something that would not be contained – tame and unassuming, serving to “An Oríkì is a cultural in the chaste and claustrophobic identify a location, to mark a spot. An boundaries of an explanation: we Oríkì on the other hand would look like spectacle among the had an Oríkì. fire – not a cultivated bonfire but a wild uncircumscribable harlot with golden Yoruba; it is a deep Where I come from, among the Yoruba hues as plumage, pulling in the sun and people of Western Nigeria, names are the sky and the soil into its dancing spiritual reckoning important. They tell stories. My name fury. To evoke an Oríkì is to wonder is Adebayo. It means ‘I have met ease after the ‘essence’ of the recipient, to be with entangled worlds, and pleasantness’ – a claim my wife in the moment while weaving a tapestry would gently repudiate! My other of adoration that might include dance, hidden histories, name, Akomolafe, means something song, story, poetry and even gift-giving. close to ‘one who teaches others the It is a name without alphabets, the peeping ancestors, and good life’. But it wasn’t until recent that wonder beneath it all, names I realized that I had a gift deeper than made keener. roving essences.” names could convey, more nuanced than a birth certificate has space to So when, last year, a feisty Yoruba accommodate. An Oríkì is a cultural woman and academic colleague, spectacle among the Yoruba; it is a bemused by the seemingly intractable deep spiritual reckoning with entangled assemblage of Indian-Greek names worlds, hidden histories, peeping we had given to Alethea-Aanya, asked ancestors, and roving essences. It is me if I had an Oríkì for our daughter, I often embodied by praise-poetry. It didn’t know what to say. But it made me is said that one who doesn’t know his wonder if beyond names, beyond the Oríkì has lost his spiritual story. neurotic rituals of language, beyond our best tools and analysis, there was Oríkìs are like names, and yet an Oríkì for these times of upheaval they are very much unlike names and awakening.

14 Margaret Wertheim, in her recent fails to address our profoundest hopes article – The Limits of Physics – and tensions, and as the prosperity and reminds us that all languages parse the happiness promised by compliance to world into categories – but not every industrialized society hollows out, we aspect of our experiences fits neatly are faced – as it were – with questions into those categories. While some about what a more beautiful world cultures learn to respect ambiguities could look like, and what we can do to and definitional monstrosities as make it real for us and critical to the continuance of said for our children. cultures, other collectives become ‘obsessed with ever-finer levels of In an effort to make sense of all of “We are faced – as it categorisation as they try to rid their today’s unfolding anomalies, many system of every pangolin-like ‘duck- insist that today’s challenge, today’s were – with questions rabbit’ anomaly. For such societies… a gripe is between ‘us’ and ‘them’, kind of neurosis ensues, as the project between those who are awakened about what a more of categorisation takes [more and and those still asleep in the clutches of more] energy and mental effort’, and, the Matrix, between the 99% and the beautiful world could ‘whatever doesn’t parse neatly in a 1%, between evil and beauty, between given linguistic system can become a justice and injustice, between the look like, and what we source of anxiety to the culture that North and the South or between both speaks this language’. and the modern abstraction of linear can do to make it real growth, between individualized actions Today we are witnessing this and systemic changes, or between an for us and exhausting anxiety as we reach the old story in demise and a new story we ends of our tethers. As dominant myths haven’t yet found words for. Most of us for our children.” and single stories about what it means that will speak during this conference to be alive wither away, as climate have strong and justifiable reasons to change reminds us that we are perhaps frame today’s chaotic changes as the not lords over nature as we used to tensions between a world imprisoned think we were; as the growth paradigm by a techno-economic, hegemonic reinforces an techno-consumerist ideology of growth, exploitative empire of multinationals; devastated trade treaties, markets and a planet ecosystems, dwindling diversities and yearning to be healed by human-scaled broken communities; as education- economies, regulated banks, and so-called strips from us our sincerest renewed connections between nature questions and inmost songs; as nation- and culture. states and representational politics

15 However, around the world, in puddles principle. We do not understand why we of unconferences and conferences, live in a world like this, why a techno- in symposiums and summits, in hotel economic monolith rises and rises, its rooms and school halls filled with shadow greying our clouds and piercing activists whose faces bear tell-tale signs our soils. And even though we have of wear and tear, of glimpsed hope, of incredible conceptual and critical tools, reanimated despair, we are pushing we do not know how to come out of “But as our language our linguistic powers to an extreme; we it – or even if that is the ‘right’ question. are coming up with ever new ways of It seems the more we try to transcend gets more and more modelling how change really happens; the system, the more we behave just we are inventing new categories of like it. Our uncertainty doesn’t exist sophisticated, the thought; we are tasking our volition because of a lack of evidence, or poor storehouses and seeking smarter ways articulation, or any practical reason. more distant, it seems, to rouse people to the urgencies of the Much to the contrary, the more we hour; we are urging ourselves to be probe the furthest reaches of inner and a more beautiful world practical, to focus on the facts – the real outer space, the more we realize how stuff. But as our language gets more and entangled we are with the problems gets. Our increasing more sophisticated, the more distant, it we strive to get rid of, with the ‘other’ seems, a more beautiful world gets. Our we hope to save, with the systems sophistication betrays increasing sophistication betrays our we seek to switch off, and with the deepest anxieties about a universe that incomprehensible. our deepest anxieties will not be comprehended, a cosmos that will not be summed up and reified But what if our not knowing is our about a universe in theory – no matter how passionate. A greatest asset yet? What if our journeys world that will truly begin when we don’t know where that will not be not be named. we are going? What if, like interstellar travellers in search of a home, our comprehended.” What all this means is that we do not deepest feelings, the fluffy stuff we know. We do not know how to resolve usually do away with, are just as our current crises, how to bring about important, just as real – or even more so a more beautiful world; we cannot – than our best statistics and our most tell, with absolute certainty, whether practical insights? Could it be that even strategy is preferable to being in the our smallest actions count in ways our moment, or whether the North and system change dynamics are blind to? South should indeed work together, or What if we could treat the unknown, the what it even means for a paradigm shift unthinkable, beyond data, as a resource to happen. It is perhaps unresolvable in – instead of an inconvenience?

16 Many elders from indigenous non- proposed solutions, behind our most western cultures spoke about this. fervent ideals, beyond the pragmatism They urged us to slow down in times of suggested by wielding numbers and urgency; they urged us to be at peace graphics, there is a magic afoot, and when we are lost – for it is then that the cosmos is probably mattering other paths are noticed. They told us and unfurling in ways that weave that the dark makes everything possible. together our discontent, our failures, What they meant, I think, is that we our ignorance, our incoherence, our need a change of awareness, not a bumbling inadequacies, our victories, “We are collectively change of speed, in order to happen and our contradictions. And we see upon new and brighter days. The test this magic at the edges of our linguistic being ushered was to see how entangled everything systems, where causal relationships no was – and how nothing stands alone; longer adequately account for change, to a very strange to see how we could not depend upon where agency and will and awareness or trust ourselves to know the next aren’t individual attributes, swaddled place - one which moments. In a poetic sense, they might in grey matter, but breathing in stone, have said, ‘let’s stop pretending to be in rock, in fountain, in yawning sun and obstinately refuses humans, and dissolve into our mother teenage moon. trees, into the clouds, into rock and fish.’ the characteristic Perhaps if some of those elders were We are collectively being ushered to address mainstream activism today to a very strange place - one which earmarks of – what with all our models, numbers, obstinately refuses the characteristic data sets, compelling theories and earmarks of location, of fixity, of location, of fixity, of ideological divides – they would say that dimension, and logical convenience. conventional activism valiantly attempts We cannot navigate our way ‘there’; we dimension, and logical to address what only the whole can cannot increase our speed. Our ‘old’ ‘do’, and that by moving towards fortes and categorical imperatives of convenience. “ what cannot fit our data sets – what thought such as cause, time, agency, might properly be called ‘magic’ – we direction, movement, and justice are recognize not only our worlds anew, but no more useful than cardinal points are ourselves. useful in outer space. The stitchery is coming undone, the Gordian knot is The elders would urge a keener stretching out, and the rich tapestry of sensitivity; they would call for an symbols and myth by which awareness Oríkì. And I offer one today: that was studiously guided, by which behind the names we give to our we thought ourselves righteous, crises and the names we give to their is becoming threadbare. The great

17 challenge of humanity - if there ever was data, into our great plans for systemic or ever will be such a thing as ‘humanity’ shifts, often matter the most. - is to embrace the unthinkable, to move towards the anomalous, where a So remember, if you can, the miracles in pregnant nothing swirls.’ your life: the first smile of your firstborn child – the smile that pierces the sky; Today, I celebrate the great and remember how you felt knowing you persistent work of amazing people are loved by another, how undeserving and voices across the planet, and the you often feel of another’s affections utility of bold notions and invitations and attention. Remember the gift of like localization – and their subversive food – the textures that have no names, “I urge you to see presence in the world. I recognize and the sprightly bursts of colour and the turbulence in our conversations life where soulful meals are shared with that those things that about how to address change, and the friends. Remember the ones that have riddles that are thrown up every time broken through the veil, and walked don’t fit neatly into we consider competing worldviews into the blaze of the distant sunset; and what they have to say about remember their parting words, their our models and data, our times, who we are, and what we fragile grip, their closing eyes. Think have at our disposal. I honour our of how you feel knowing that 300 into our great plans for furious intentions to rid the world of girls – none of whom you know – are exploitative ideologies; I honour our still missing, 300 days after they were systemic shifts, often anger, our despair, and our furrowed kidnapped from their beds in a Nigerian eyebrows. I honour our victories – school, by men with trucks and guns. matter however short-lived they may be. I make Think of what you’d give to have them no claim that all these have some kind returned – if your own daughter were the most. “ of ontological meaning deeper than one of them. experience itself. I merely urge us to see the wilder connections, the ‘deeper’ We live in Orikis, in colours awash entanglements, and to perhaps learn with fragrance and memory and to trust our deepest feelings – even longing, in textures, in grief tinged with though they defy conceptualization. I satisfaction, in joy stitched with the pain urge us to recognize that enchantment that it is finite, in shadows and light, in isn’t that much in short supply as, well, tears in spite, in moments that will not counterculture often grimly pretends it be named, in hopes the boundaries of to be. I urge you to see that those things which we haven’t tested, in feelings that don’t fit neatly into our models and truer than words.

18 trust that things count even when they can no longer conveniently brush away Our deepest challenge don’t add up. the idea that our toughest attempt to adequately represent the world in today is to transcend Should we let go of our insights, or fall terms of social justice is occasioned by into a self-indulging hole hoping that the very conditions that the world is not only the fear that things unravel in ways we expect them produced from, and that what is seeking to? Does pointing to a ‘deeper’ place, to emerge – though sympathetic to we are alone, and a subterranean stream beneath the careful analyses and clarifying insights – surface, mean that we should not speak is too promiscuous to be faithful to our that we are not doing out against fracking, against GMOs and efforts alone. mining? Is this another postmodern enough – but the fear attempt to reduce everything to This is the Oríkì of our times, the subtle language, to say that the world isn’t real, energies the call to localize gently that if we do not do, to deny the very real corporate agendas coincides with, the soundtrack we that are framing insidious trade treaties often don’t get to hear when we huddle nothing matters. like TTIP? Am I attempting some kind together to contemplate our precarious of reductionism with blue-sky allusions circumstances. This is the hidden Our feelings may not have any utility, to magic and trust? Will any of that save motif we cannot yet understand, the any practical worth outside the city the day? I don’t know. I think that our emblem that is beaten into the monolith square where the contests between concerns with justice and the objects that guards the gates of the unknown concepts and labels play out, but that of these concerns are very real, but I country we are wandering towards. doesn’t make these little moments any suspect it would be a mistake to take as less real or valuable – and perhaps less real the ideas that our best data may This is the ‘song’ we heard that solemn recognizing this and resting in the no longer be enough, the insight that October day, as we left the campus to peace that comes with this is our it is our culture – our ways of making frame a life outside the spectrum of the deepest challenge as a culture, and the meaning and combing experience for normal – the soft, whispery tones that end of it. In the words of Alice Fulton, patterns (and not the earth) that is in pierced through our best judgments and ‘we have to meet the universe halfway; crisis; our ways of responding to crises invited us to find our way by a different nothing will unfold for us unless we is part of the crisis. Let us get involved, kind of faith. We turned to each other, move towards that which looks to us let us turn inward, let us localize and do Ej and I – as our truck crossed the like nothing: faith is a cascade’. Our all in our power to call out the insidious University gates – and we sighed. We deepest challenge today is to transcend activities of a global corporatocracy reached out for our hands, as if to not only the fear that we are alone, and – but let us do so, knowing that what anchor ourselves to what was most that we are not doing enough – but seeks to emerge, what wants to come precious to us. “We are going home”, she the fear that if we do not do, nothing about, will not necessarily lie at the said. And I knew, with a knowing that is matters. We must (and I use ‘must’ with end of our genius, or at the tips of our powerful and true, that it was so. more than a sprinkling of hesitation) sophistication and our agendas. We

19 Meet the New Gatekeepers

Michael Brooks The old media gatekeepers are in real In someways this is nothing new, Producer/Contributor trouble. From the whining from CNN and a major aspect of the Obama Majority Report reporters that President Obama would era has been folding in previously be sitting down for interviews with insurgent voices inside the mainstream. Youtube stars after this years state Ezra Klein is a great example of a Michael Brooks is a Contributor of the Union to the fallout from Brian progressive college blogger who and Producer for the three time Williams fantasies of war heroics, the now is an all purpose and incredibly awarding political Podcast and mainstream press is under greater and successful media entrepreneur. The Youtube program the Majority greater scrutiny. Young Turks and the program I am a Report. His writing has appeared contributor on the Majority Report, in Al Jazeera, the Washington Post, Starting with the explosion of the remain voices with genuine left wing Good and the Huffington Post and progressive blogosphere during the edge and distributed through podcasts he has appeared as an analyst on Bush era, when a bunch of progressive and Youtube. Al Jazeera, Arise TV and France 24. web writers stood up to challenge Before that he worked co-founded the Administration on its lies and the So the media landscape has been an arts and performance platform press on its laziness (and also lies), shaken up and new voices have in Western Massachusetts where journalists, writers, entertainers opportunities to broadcast, write he performed stand up and sketch and analysts have used the new and share. This is the good news. comedy and he co-authored the mechanism’s of distribution from blogs The challenging news is that this Buddha’s Playbook, a synthesis to now podcasting and youtube to open landscape is now defined by a different of Mindfulness Meditation and new conversations that bypass the old type of gatekeeping. The challenge is Behavioral Economics. He holds a gatekeepers. manifesting in three distinct ways. BA in Politics fromBates College.

20 “We are all going to First: everything is smaller and more Third: and most importantly, the bifurcated. The focus on building a gatekeepers of the large media and have to come together media career in today’s environment technology conglomerates that is in finding your niche and developing dominate the new media landscape to figure out new ways your own community. In practice this have done nothing to create leads to a many different types of economically viable model for media of creating sustainable gatekeepers, gatekeeping in smaller producers . We are all going to have to worlds. So the gatekeeping game is still come together to figure out new ways livelihoods and funding being played. of creating sustainable livelihoods and funding media. Whatever way media. Whatever way Second: the new relentless focus on this conversation goes, it will mean analytics and clicks, creates a new form a rethink of companies as diverse as this conversation goes, of digital and mechanical gatekeeping Huffington Post and Google operate. that can marginalizes certain voices it will mean a rethink of and types of analysis. The gatekeeping So the old gatekeeping are collapsing, of a singular focus on analytic new ones are taking their place companies as diverse contradicts the free form aspiration and in all scenarios we need to find and spirit of a more open media. ways of creatively, empathetical as Huffington Post and and energetically taking on the new challenges established by the new Google operate.” gatekeepers.

21 Q&A with Sébastien Felix

Sébastien Felix Our thematic question regarding open data. At the opposite Snapchat Co-Founder Gatekeepers/Gatecrashers is designed is trying to be the new gatecrasher by SnapTraveler to challenge the idea that one must creating a new model that soon will also be one or the other i.e. it is “either/or” need a lot of money to continue to grow. dynamic. How do you see the dynamic That’s why I think the monetization race Sébastien Felix is an expert between gatekeepers and gatecrash- of every Web services and platforms and an enthusiast of digital ers playing out in your life and in your leads inevitably to this type of dynamic. marketing. He is entrepreneur work? and already founded several This dynamic has always existed since From my personal point of view, this start-ups in the travel space. He the beginning of the Internet but I think dynamic leads to two opposite things. is working on communication what is changing today is the fact that First, from my personal life perspective, and online marketing for hotels old gatecrashers are becoming the new it could have a negative impact on the and destinations all around the gatekeepers. long term because the control of the world. knowledge and the communications is If you look (not only in the travel limiting how people can learn and grow. industry), you can see that now the new More we have gatekeepers, more the start-ups are the ones who are trying information is transformed. In a world to change the rules for the old start- where people are asking for more ups already in place. As an example, transparency, it is really hard to think this is also what is happening for about the fact that the information we communication platforms like Facebook have access to is only produce by people VS Snapchat. The old one is becoming who are paying to be displayed (and as a gatekeeper by trying to close its a good example, we can mention that frontiers, with more control and less Facebook is now limiting the natural

22 reach of their posts to only 4% of the for businesses because they want to audience). control more and more the information to generate more profits. If you think On the other hand, from a business that the average commission taken perspective, the new dynamic between by an OTA is around 20%, you will gatekeepers/gatecrashers is really understand quickly why the market is creative in terms of new opportunities. trying to move to new alternatives. I The Web is still evolving very fast and think the hospitality professionals have if you take time to really understand now understood how to react and how where are the strengths today so you to move to the new alternatives in order can try to imagine what will be the to be more open and satisfying for their “I think the hospitality threats tomorrow. customers. professionals have now Lodging (Hotels, Resorts, Hostels) Recent acquisitions like Buuteeq by have long been controlled established Priceline or the new beta programs understood how to powers (GateKeepers). How have you like Google Hotel Finder (and Google seen that changing to be more open Flights) also show that all industries react and how to move and with more alternatives? are moving really fast to maintain their I think the hospitality industry is one positions and strengths. to the new alternatives of the perfect examples about what is happening and what I mentioned How would the travel industry benefit in order to be more previously. 15 years ago, Internet from new players using various tech- emerged as a new way to book a room nology/mobile platforms? open and satisfying for and travel. Lodging, at this time, acted In the travel industry landscape as controlled established powers we can definitely see that the market is their customers.” (gatekeepers) and decided to do not going mobile very fast. For all trust and move into this new movement clients I work with (mainly hotels), (few of them did but it wasn’t a global 50% of visitors of their websites are move). This behavior leaded to the birth now generated from a mobile of companies like booking.com and its device, and it is amazingly growing! competitors, who had in mind to disrupt the way people find and book a room. In parallel, technology becomes really the key to better understand If you look at the market today, and control direct revenues. Travel we are doing exactly the opposite. professionals are trying to use more and OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) are more digital platforms and ecosystems becoming slowly the new gatekeepers to drive direct traffic and revenues in

23 or PR campaigns that don’t work new generation of travelers is really “By providing a anymore for the next generation on: social networks. By providing a of travelers? complete suite of social analytics and complete suite of b. Why few people still believe in an bloggers outreach tools, we really help intermediation system between the travel industry to take benefit from social analytics and influencers and professionals if we content and influencers campaigns. now have all digital tools to allow a bloggers outreach direct communication What would you determine are the between them? most significant obstacles to a democ- tools, we really help ratization (more inclusive, more so- In parallel, I spoke with a lot of bloggers cially effective) of the travel industry? the travel industry and digital social media gurus that were I actually see two obstacles. First, the always complaining about the fact that it “real” power of social media platforms to take benefit from is really difficult to travel and to explain to connect people with people: when to other the impact of their social media the natural reach of the information is content and influencer businesses. threaten, it could be really complicated to become visible without paying mil- campaigns.” Since I was myself in contact with many lions of dollars in advertising. hotels, I decided to create the first travel platform for next generation travelers The second thing is regarding the order to compete with old gatecrashers and digital influencers. privacy and the data usage made by big like online travel agencies. They are companies: if people start to become trying to build their own communities, In one hand we help influencers to find anxious and are not sure how their to manage their own communication their best spots where they can go easily information/data will be used, it could be tools, and to master their revenues in exchange of content and publications. a really strong obstacle to a worldwide sources. In the other hand, we help hospitality democratization. people to better understand what is the How do you see yourself (Buzz & Go) real impact and results of their digital positioned within the travel industry PR campaigns. Our added value is to to be a force of disruption and added connect easily the travel industry with value? these creative social media people and At the beginning of this adventure, I help them to do what they do the best: started with two very simple create and share content. observations: a. Why do hotels and lodging From the hospitality perspective, it professionals continue to spend is a unique chance to create better plenty of money in advertising and quality PR campaigns, where the

24 Q&A with Gilad Goren

Gilad Goren Our thematic question regarding the financial involvement was a boon, Executive Director Gatekeepers/Gatecrashers is designed the intangibles, the gatekeeper’s Travel & Social Good to challenge the idea that one must support and advise, truly enabled be one or the other i.e. it is “either/ Travel+SocialGood to reach a new level or” dynamic. How do you see the of impact. I’d say this is a microcosm Gilad Goren is the founder dynamic between gatekeepers and of what the dynamic you ask about and Executive Director of gatecrashers playing out in your life entails. Travel+SocialGood, the first and in your work? conference series/global The question of gatekeeper/ How has the needs and profile of community aimed at propelling the gatecrashers is quite an interesting new travelers, particularly millennial travel industry to meet its potential one, especially for those of us who have offered a challenge to the traditional for positive impact on a global ‘change’ in their mission statement. power brokers of the travel industry? scale, founded in partnership with The gatekeeper is as much a state of I actually believe that the ‘needs of the UN Foundation’s +SocialGood mind as it is a role. It is simply amazing the millennial traveler’, as expounded network. Gilad is also founder of what a single ‘no’ turned into a ‘yes’ by all the consultancies and experts Only Six Degrees, an impact travel can spark. The life of a gatecrasher of the world, are much akin to the consultancy focused on education can be quite syziphian, seeking out desires of most travelers across and travel experiences crafted for that one ‘gatekeeper’ who turns to demographic lines. The difference, impact. In partnership with big- become an enabler. I’ve experienced which rings true of the millennial as wave pro-surfer and activist Easkey this, dare I say, sacred transaction a shopper and employee, is that the Britton, Gilad launched Sustain the myself. For me it was the first decision- Millennials are the first generation Stoke as the first impact surf travel maker who embraced the vision of to loudly voice their desires. This can brand, producing epic trips that Travel+SocialGood, and agreed to be attributed to the loss of loyalty to have their brand get involved. While established brands, many of whom had

25 betrayed their predeccesors, and to the for transparency, accountability, and ‘happen to be’ impactful, directly emergence of two-way communication true impact in the travel space has empowering local communities as streams such as social media and been proven in an increasing mass of hosts and direct beneficiaries of blogging. Millennials seek authenticity, studies. This is undeniable, and I find immersive trips whose carbon foot- experience, self-fulfillment, positive it shocking that the world of travel print is minimized and offset. impact, and the ability to brag. Simply is yet so behind on its potential for put, cookie-cutter tours do not positive impact on a global scale. But Gilad had the opportunity to push enable them to do any of the above. of course, every challenge is indeed the message of travel and impact at Defining your vacation by luxury an opportunity as well. I hope that as the United Nations, the NY Times accommodations can take you only so Travel+SocialGood grows, it will be able Travel Show, The Nexus Youth far in an age when extravagance seems to gain traction as an agenda-setting Philanthropy Summit, and more. gouche. Those standards no longer organization, furthering its mission of He holds an MA in Comparative suffice. Traditional travel powerhouses propelling the world’s largest industry history from Brandeis University made their money off standardization to embrace its role as a globally and currently resides In New York and volume, or off the high-margin dominant force for social good. City. luxury travel afforded by the few. With the former losing steam, and the latter In your estimation, how has technology increasingly sought out by vendors, the served to disrupt the travel industry? space for experiential travel opens up, What are effective tools that the providing the space for a new breed of “new traveler” can employ to be a travel-providers to shine. gatecrasher? Technology has completely reshuffled The Tourism Bill of Rights, based on the the cards throughout the entire UN Universal Declaration of Human industry. For many veterans in the Rights mentions “the right of everyone space, technology has stripped away to rest and leisure..” How does this idea their secure corner of the market. intersect with a growing desire to be For those who adapt and innovate, socially conscious and locally engaged technology has provided the platform when traveling? for success. Overall, the emergence of This is a problematic question, as the technology provides the opportunity UN Declaration of Human Rights is for the democratization of travel, and meant for the entire world’s population the tools to meet needed standards – even those who earn less than two of transparency. The key question dollars a day. Needless to say, the right now is who will lead the push to Tourism Bill of Rights is a bit less proper utilization of these new tools relevant to a majority of the population. for good. For the individual traveler, the I will say that the growth in demand change has already been made clear.

26 “For those who adapt and Folks are booking entire itineraries Beyond that, the largest concern I have online without a single phone-call. with the democratization of travel, innovate, technology has People are able to garner use of an as opposed to an obstacle to it, is the endless number of research sources, lowered bar of entrance to providers provided the platform and become veritable experts on a who aren’t exactly concerned with destination before even setting foot global amelioration. As the industry for success. Overall, the in it. On the other hand, this immense continuously breaks new records in deluge of data and opportunities has fights, arrivals and revenue, questions emergence of technology created a flood of noise with little of environmental degradation, curation or qualification. The next stage economic empowerment, cultural provides the opportunity in development within this space will preservation, and the related must certainly be the reintroduction of the always be raised. Are we traveling in for the democratization curator within a twenty-first century a way to empowers the communities framework. we visit? Are we making sure those of travel, and the tools to incredible sites we visit are preserved What would you determine are for future generations? Can we meet needed standards of the most significant obstacles to a chase our fantasies abroad without democratization (more inclusive, more endangering the world we have come transparency.” socially effective)of the travel industry? to fall in love with every time we leave The most significant obstacles to the home? We could answer all three with democratization of the travel industry a resounding ‘yes’ if may actually be the very assets that we want to. enable its transformation. With a deluge of sources for information, inspiration and booking, one loses their North star, and can retract to old routines. As with other industries, standards and points of authority are needed to ensure that democratization of the industry develops with fairness and accuracy as pillars.

27 The Changing World and Face of Gatekeepers

Dowshan Humzah Throughout the course of modern slaves.” Indeed, the poem is still a jolly Digital change and business history, empires have ruled and good patriotic tide for us Brits and is transformation specialist gatekeepers have governed. However, sung at the ‘Last Night of the Proms’ at any one moment in time many of at the Royal Albert Hall; our heartfelt these empires and gatekeepers have remnants of a glorious empire. The sun Dowshan Humzah is a digital failed to recognise what Heraclitus, the has indeed set on the British empire change and business transformation Greek philosopher, said about ‘change and the baton for the most powerful specialist who has delivered being the only constant’. And so, both ‘empire’ was handed to the economic profitable growth for a broad range empires and gatekeepers have come and cultural powerhouse of USA in the of companies in which he has held and gone. early 20th century. senior roles (The RSA Insurance Group, Virgin Media, Orange, Changing Empires Bob Dylan may have been prophesising Procter & Gamble). In addition, he is Indeed, the greatest (apology that’s when writing “The Times They Are actively involved in a range of ‘access my bias coming through) – I should say A-Changin ” back in the not too distant to opportunity’ projects, supporting the largest empire in history was the past, 1964 to be exact, a period of and driving ‘merit based diversity British Empire. The immortal words in mass social change post World War and inclusion’. He is a recognised the poem by James Thomson (taken II. Dylan’s song became an anthem for advocate, contributes to the debate from ‘The Works of James Thomson’ those particularly involved with the within industry and government published 1763) and the images of civil rights and anti-war movements. and has some powerful connections privileged, well educated, white, British The sentiments from then still very in the diversity and opportunity men building the empire may have set much resonate today with groups and fields. the tone for the original gatekeepers organisations challenging gatekeepers of the modern era. “Rule, Britannia! and dominant forces. rule the waves: Britons never will be

28 And even as I write, many are charting about ’minimal group’ identities and • Dowshan Humzah started his the decline of the USA; its global became interested in the psychology career at Procter & Gamble in influence as an empire and the rise of of prejudice given his experiences brand management leading the the emerging market ‘superpowers’. in World War II. He stated that ‘us’ Hugo Boss fragrance portfolio These new ‘superpowers’ have realised and ‘them’ identities can be easily in the UK. Most notably, he led opportunities by reaching out to developed and that the allocation the launch of Hugo which still their significant home populations as of resources to members of one’s remains P&G’s most successful their own spending power via trade own group at the expense of others fragrance launch to date. He and connectivity via digital increases. can take a much subtler form – yet then moved into the technology The world has become smaller, more still exact a high price on those who space heading up International accessible and crowded at the top. In are not part of that ‘in group’ . And Products & Services for Orange the space of a decade the Global 500 so, those in the privileged position in the early days of mobile where (the world’s 500 biggest corporations of being similar to the gatekeepers he developed and helped realise by revenue) has transformed. In 2004, constantly receive more help than the vision of ‘passport, tickets, the majority were North American others. Potential gatecrashers suffer money, Orange’ – normalising (40%+) with second place taken by from the consequence of inaction roaming and international western European companies – now and the danger is that the status quo calling. He was then part of Asia is home to more Global 500 is maintained; change then is not the the broadband revolution and companies than North America, and constant, for the time being. joined ntl (now Virgin Media) China alone (with 95 companies, leading broadband products c.20%) has more than UK, Germany Looking through the lens of and eventually becoming and France combined. And, so it progression on the corporate ladder in Director of Marketing, Strategy seems the sun is setting on another USA or UK – gatekeepers though not & Planning for Internet where empire and change, indeed, is the only all necessarily ‘pale, stale and male’ are he led ntl to market and product constant. still characterised by privilege, social leadership in the UK as well as status and economic wealth. However, developing the next generation Who are gatekeepers? we have gatecrashers coming to the network strategy. His most Gatekeepers can be defined as those party given social change, increased recent roles in a blue-chip were who control passage through a gate. social mobility, an evolving world order for The RSA Insurance Group When discussing all the aspects of and digital pervasiveness opening up as Product Director for More diversity, inclusion and equality in new markets and opportunities. Than where he built profitability modern society we tend to view in a time of market shrinkage gatekeepers as those maintaining Gatekeepers and ‘access to and then became Business the status quo and limiting access opportunity’ Transformation Director for to opportunity: not quite embracing Gatekeepers generally limit ‘access to RSA UK to develop the new change as the only constant. opportunity’ to those like them or to Henri Tajfel, the psychologist, wrote those who are deemed as being part of

29 the dominant ‘in groups’. By focusing ‘merit based diversity and inclusion’; operating model. In addition, on ‘access to opportunity’ we call for the best of the best should rise to the he has worked in two start- action to create a level playing field top and we need a transparent and ups (new car online retail and that allows individuals to progress and equal playing field for that – i.e. open satellite TV channel). support social mobility and equality. ‘access to opportunity’ and that in turn enriches society. • Dowshan strongly believes in For some this drive for diversity is seen ‘merit based diversity’ in its as means of promoting one group over Related to this diversity should not broadest sense and focuses another – given preference as opposed just be viewed solely from the ‘seen not just on the ‘seen or visible’ to merit and ‘reverse gatekeeping’. or visible’ aspects such as gender, aspects (such as gender, race Though, I am sure many individuals ethnicity and age (which are, especially or age) but more so on the feel that some of the traditional power gender, easier to define, identify and ‘unseen or hidden’ aspects such brokers, gatekeepers or those at the measure) but also from the ‘unseen as experience, background and top of society (sarcastically categorised or hidden’ aspects such as experience, thinking style. He has delivered as ‘pale, stale and male’ in the west) – background, upbringing and thinking a number of ground breaking have achieved their position by being style. It is these broader aspects that projects supporting ‘access to privileged to be part of a certain ‘in- truly drive behaviour, performance, opportunity’ - working with group’ or have had significant support influence and impact – and in capturing organisations to help develop (financial or otherwise), a strong diverse people from those groups the next generation of talent influential network and copious ‘access you generally capture those from the and encourage greater diversity. to opportunity’. Diversity matters and typical verticals of gender, ethnicity Dowshan believes that all too is about ensuring equality and winning and age. often ‘access to opportunity’ is the war for talent in an open, fair and limited to the ‘privileged, well- transparent manner. For organisations and businesses, resourced or well-networked’ there is a need for leadership teams to few – and this must be broken But when we speak of the need for evolve in order to better reflect new and broadened at all levels from diversity, it is crucial to appreciate customer bases, ‘emerging market’ students to executives. that is not just a case of championing opportunities and greater competition. minority interests or those from the As barriers come down, talent pools • He is a partner in two digital ‘out groups’ — the benefits of diversity are broadening with increased access ventures. With one of them, a go to the majority and benefit all. We to education, opportunity and social digital and social media agency, have increasing evidence of diversity mobility. And so, women and minorities, he has shown how technology providing benefits from strategic, gatecrashers in the politest terms can support this drive for ‘access societal, inclusiveness and financial possible, are increasingly challenging to opportunity’. An example is perspectives. the status quo of gatekeepers and integrating digital and social exercising the basic democratic right So, let me be clear – I only support to vote, progressing in professions and

30 blue-chip organisations, through to relative to their national industry media with the curriculum holding the highest office ‘in the land’. median. Companies in the top quartile in schools to deliver more of racial/ethnic diversity were 30% engaging lessons in order to The business case for gatecrashers likely to have above median returns. drive attainment, aspiration and and diversity When broken down, most relevant ‘employability’ for the young It is generally accepted that having for UK plc and UK Gross Domestic (especially those from not- a broad range of opinions and styles Product (GDP) was that companies privileged backgrounds). leads to better decision making – with a 10% higher gender and racial/ and so, diverse team composition in ethnic diversity on management teams • Dowshan has been a visiting these respects (be it visible such as and boards had EBIT that was 5.6% lecturer at Goldsmiths College, gender and race; or ‘unseen’ such as higher whilst in the US it was 1.1% University of London on the differences in background, experience higher. potential of digital media, as and thinking style) should lead to well as being a public speaker greater social and economic value. A pertinent conclusion from McKinsey on digital and social media was the unequal performance across (presenting at conferences McKinsey & Company have recently companies in the same industry and such as: Professional Publishing presented compelling analysis showing same country implies that diversity Association’s Customer Direct, a statistically significant relationship is a competitive differentiator that LFB’s New Way of Seeing Social between more diverse leadership/ shifts market share. Equally, McKinsey Media and B2B Marketing’s teams and better financial performance stated that “critical mass is required Leaders’ Forum). He is seen as a of corporations. to drive decisions and impact”. For digital industry ‘thought leader’ me, this further reinforces the need having presented at numerous The data set comprised of many to build the talent pipeline and recruit international conferences hundreds of corporations from North and promote top talent on merit across and written articles on topics America, Latin America and UK and the board as opposed to making ‘token as broad as Internet Product correlated diversity (gender and appointments’, forcing quotas/targets Development through to race/ethnicity in leadership teams) or merely looking to reach targets via Digital Innovation in Education with financial performance (average non-executives to support a better and New Revenue Streams in Earnings Before Interest and Tax financial return. Publishing. (EBIT) for the period 2010-13). The size of the dataset provides confidence Being your true self and valued for • LinkedIn Profile: http:// in the outcomes and has the rigour who you are uk.linkedin.com/in/dowshan deeply associated with McKinsey. It is a real testament to leaders, sports stars and media personalities who have The companies in the top quartile of risen through the ranks whilst having gender diversity were 15% more likely to hide their true self. A good recent to have above median financial returns, example is that of Tim Cook, CEO

31 Apple publishing an open letter on 30th It is a shame that any minority would October 2014 coming out . In his letter feel the need to hide ‘who they are’ and, “The irony with business he stated being gay has given him a in essence, ‘hang their personality on deeper understanding of what it means the coat hook outside of their office or leaders like Tim Cook to be in the minority and provided a workplace’ as opposed to bringing in all window into the challenges that people that richness and personality. is that had they been in other minority groups deal with every day. The irony with business leaders like open about an aspect Tim Cook is that had they been open Whilst obvious physical aspects of about an aspect of their background of their background or gender and race in the whole cannot or life at the beginning of their careers be hidden – there are elements of our they may not have progressed to life at the beginning of beliefs, background, personalities and the highest levels of corporate office orientation that individuals may choose given hidden bias, prejudice and their careers they may to hide in both the work environment discrimination. This is sad and partially and society at large to better fit with explains why many people choose to not have progressed the gatekeepers. Tim Cook stated that hide their true identities even today to he had been open with many people fit in with the gatekeepers. to the highest levels of about his sexual orientation and that plenty of colleagues at Apple knew A lesson from recent history corporate office given he was gay. However, he stressed revisited by Hollywood that he had the good fortune to work The recent film, Selma, has bought hidden bias, prejudice and at a company that loves creativity to the fore once again the notion of and innovation and knows it can only gatekeepers and gatecrashers. Selma, discrimination. This is sad flourish when you embrace people’s as is well known, relates the story of differences. Not everyone is so lucky. Dr Martin Luther King and the people and partially explains why of the civil rights movement marching There is a view that it is harder to be over the Edmund Pettus Bridge from many people choose to yourself in certain industries. Some Selma to Montgomery to highlight women in finance have stated that they inequalities particularly as regards hide their true identities had to act in a ‘more masculine way’ to the voting rights in 1965. It is hard to be accepted, people who don’t drink believe that this is recent history - less even today to fit in with the have felt pressured to drink and attend than 50 years ago. certain work events as that is where gatekeepers.” senior managers can get to know Cynically we may reflect on the lack aspiring talent. of recognition given to the movie and its lead actor by the gatekeepers of

32 “Perhaps the ultimate equality and inclusion to be on a par him to mix with traditional gatekeepers. with the then (and to some extent the Coupled with a degree of mastery, and best known now) gatekeepers. funding and charisma he was able to engage with the gatekeepers and gatecrasher of Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin electorate. However, that is all history group of companies and a renowned now and President Obama was re- recent times is business gatecrasher upsetting many elected in 2012 to serve a second term. traditional business leaders and President Obama.” industry dynamics, observed that many And so, given the special relationship of the 2015 Oscar winners’ speeches between The UK and USA, I would like focused on and reflected the times we to end with part of President Obama’s various award ceremonies (such as the live in and challenges of many minority address to our UK gatekeepers, Oscar academy) who may not have felt or disadvantaged groups . Parliament, in the grand and history a resonance or comfortable with Selma. laden Westminster Hall on 25th However, a message from Selma to the The ultimate gatecrasher? May 2011: “...it is possible for people generation of today is that the people, Perhaps the ultimate and best to be united by their ideals, instead regardless of status, background or known gatecrasher of recent times is of divided by their difference... it’s any other grouping, should be the President Obama. One always assumes possible for hearts to change and old gatekeepers and the purveyors of true that in elections in a democracy there hatred to pass... and the grandson of power as opposed to it residing in the are no gatekeepers – just the people; a Kenyan who served as a cook in the hands of the few or the privileged. however selection committees, due British Army to stand before you as process, media coverage, financial President of the United States.” On winning the Oscar for Best Song in support and, of course, voters’ own bias a Motion Picture, the rapper Common all act as ‘gates’. In 2008, 43 years after Thank you Mr President (and grandson with John Legend said: “Recently John Selma, the US electorate chose Barrack of a Kenyan who served as a cook in the and I got to go to Selma and perform Hussein Obama (I stress the non- British Army) - and that is why ‘access Glory on the same bridge that Dr European nature of his name) – a black to opportunity’ is so important and King and the people of the civil rights man, with African roots and an ‘Islamic how gatecrashers can make an impact movement marched on 50 years ago. name’ to be its 44th President. challenging the status quo of their This bridge was once a landmark of former colonial gatekeepers. a divided nation, but now is a symbol Indeed, Barack Hussein Obama could for change. The spirit of this bridge only just be classed as ‘privileged’ given transcends race, gender, religion, sexual his elite education at Colombia and orientation and social status.” All of the Harvard law school and traditional people belonging to these ‘minority’ in his career as a Law Professor and groups can be viewed as gatecrashers then Senator. However, these were exercising their democratic right for meritocratic achievements and allowed

33 Switch On to the World

Nick Seneca Jankel Switch On to the World: the two — fits what you feel in your Author 5 Radical Ideas for an Inner Revolu- deepest core. You, me and everyone Switch On/Wisdom Teacher tion that Will Change You, and the else who cares about our shared future World, Forever as a species must do this if we are to thrive ourselves; and ensure our world Nick Seneca Jankel, the creator “To be truly radical is to make hope thrives too. As William Blake said: We of Breakthrough Biodynamics, possible rather than despair convincing.” “must create a system or be enslaved by has a unique approach to leading - Raymond Williams another man’s.” innovation and change that has been sought by future-forward There is a war going on right now, as Below, I share with you five of most organisations and people around you are reading this. It is a war that all radical ideas any of us can think. They the world for 15 years as they of us are participating in, whether we are radical because they challenge the grapple with both opportunity know it or not. And it is a war whose current system and the individuals and uncertainty to deliver positive stakes are so high that the very future of and organisations that benefit most impact. He is the author of Switch our economy, our environment and our from it. These ideas fly in the face of On: Unleash Your Creativity & children’s lives depend on the outcome. five ‘Noble Lies’ (as Plato called them), Thrive with the New Science & basic assumptions about who we are Spirit of Breakthrough; hosted a This battle is a battle for ideas — the and what our role in life is that are the BBC TV series as a breakthrough beliefs and values that govern how the foundation of all modern economics, coach; and recently gave a entire world works. And the only way politics, business, medicine and keynote at No.10 Downing Street. to join the battle is to question your individual lifestyle aspirations. Nick has helped over 50,000 own assumptions and make sure that managers, hundreds of world- what you believe — about yourself, the To embrace the radical, we must first be world, and the connections between prepared to give up the comfortable.

34 This can be challenging; a red or the blue universe is like a clock. We are cogs class organisations like PepsiCo, pill moment. within it. We must work and to Oxfam, WWF, NHS, Microsoft and produce to be of value. If value can’t Nike, national governments and What makes it more tricky is that many be measured, it doesn’t really exist. millions of TV viewers to switch of the rich and powerful ridicule these 2. The myth of the self: We are atomic on, break out of the box and break five radical ideas, trying instead to sell units, discrete individuals, destined through challenges to thrive. Nick us all on a ‘rational’ worldview that to be alone (and lonely) is the CEO of creative leadership puts profit and productivity ahead of 3. The myth of competition: We are & sustainable innovation company just about everything else. They have all inherently selfish and naturally www.wecreateworldwide.com and achieved this feat by claiming that competitive, driven by survival to co-founder of wisdom, wellbeing the way things are fits the ‘natural’ fight tooth and claw for what we and world-change media company order of things; that survival of the feel we need www.ripeandready.com. fittest is a genetic imperative; that 4. The myth of personal ownership: the profit motive is elemental and Whatever we find or make we He is a celebrated international benefits everyone eventually; and that should own — no matter how much speaker; a UK Ambassador for we are all self-interested, rational, others may need it Entrepreneurship and received utility-optimisers. We — as a race 5. The myth of growth: We have to a triple First class degree from and planet — are now paying for the constantly accumulate more wealth, Cambridge University in medicine consequences. and create more value, in a world of and philosophy. He has taught unlimited natural resources at many of the most respected Walking in the footsteps of the great universities and top business critical thinker Michel Foucault, it is These ideas may look innocuous, schools in the world, including time to ‘excavate’ the foundations of our but they are profoundly dangerous. London Business School, Yale and political, social and economic systems The work as a nested hierarchy, one Oxford University. and identify the out-dated assumptions scaffolding on the surface of the that lie at the heart of them. Then we other, ever upwards towards rampant http://www.nickjankel.com/ can, one assumption at a time, decide capitalism, corrupt politics and painful, life-coaching/breakthrough- if they seem to be timeless and true; disconnected lives. biodynamics/ or false and failing. Are the ideas we run our lives on creating a world of Instead, if we switch on, we can embrace http://www.switchonbook.com enlightenment, empowerment and five bold ideas: enjoyment; or a world of depression, 1. The idea of the organism: disease and devastation? The universe is alive, organic, interconnected. We are here to I believe that the big five myths whose create and express time has come are: 2. The idea of interdependence: We 1. The myth of the machine: The are profoundly interconnected in

35 ways that we can fathom and ways large change. This is all about we cannot. The more we feel the cultural, cosmological, metaphysical interconnection, the more we thrive acupuncture! 3. The idea of collaboration: We are all as inherently kind and If we are willing to surrender the old compassionate as we are selfish; assumptions and embrace the new and can always work together ideas — which fit emerging scientific towards a common purpose evidence far better, we can change 4. The idea of sharing: We can share everything that we have created in “If we are willing to resources, even if that means we the ‘real’ world . That includes global ‘lose’ personally; we can give before warming and child poverty. The Inner surrender the old we get to create a win win win for Revolution has the power to sweep all all before it. Our worst problems can assumptions and 5. The idea of flourishing: We can disappear remarkably quickly, as they conserve our resources and focus are simply crystallisations of what embrace the new ideas instead on personal growth and we collectively belief. However, this mutual thriving process is not one that can be carried — which fit emerging our purely cognitively, as we will all These 5 big ideas have not been plucked immediately recognize. Many of the five scientific evidence far from thin air — more wishful thinking by myths are rooted deep within our minds an unrealistic optimist. Each is grounded and bodies, attempting to keep things better, we can change in the latest scientific research into safe. They are locked in by emotions; physics, networks, social psychology emotions designed to protect us from everything that we and animal behaviour. Each has uncertainty and threat. precedent both in the historical record have created in the and in tribes and cultures different The Inner Revolution can only happen to our own. Each has been taught when we surrender the old beliefs so we ‘real’ world .” for millennia by countless wisdom free space to welcome in the new ones. traditions and indigenous myths. Each Without a way to unlock the emotional has been leveraged for extraordinary fear that holds our old beliefs in place, impact by the greatest thinkers and we cannot make the transition (which is leaders of modernity, from Leo Tolstoy why so few people have). We certainly to Nelson Mandela. Each is a systemic won’t be able to stay transformed. ‘sweetspot’ — what Buckminster Fuller, Threats to our livelihoods, friendships, the legendary designer and innovator, autonomy and more are likely to flip us called a ‘trimtab’ — where a small back into the old ways of thinking. We shift can create disproportionately have to switch on and stay switched on.

36 be essentially religious, whether we from it. As we embrace the truth of our “We are transforming call it that or not.” We are transforming existence, we begin to deliver it tangibly our understanding of human nature in all our actions and creations in the our understanding away from a worn out cultural narrative real world. We turn inspiration into towards a fresh, vibrant one: We get to action in the form of social enterprises, of human nature enjoy knowing ourselves as conscious intentional communities, collaborative beings that are intrinsically part of, and consumption, digital and real-world away from a worn inextricably interlinked with, a creative, activism, conscious capitalism and dynamic, conscious universe. Without scores of other practices and principles out cultural narrative this, the revolution may be televised but that build thrivability over negativity. it will not last. The Inner Revolution — a politics of towards a fresh, judicious hope not cynical despair — is Rosa Luxemburg, one of the pioneers our only chance if we want to stop vibrant one...” of socialism, said this: “Socialism in spending our precious shared resources life demands a complete spiritual on things we don’t really need, transformation in the masses.” accelerating injustice and planetary Reconnecting our heart - to the Unfortunately, the Communist degradation in the process. universe, to spirit - is the best (and movements tried to take an expedient possibly only) solvent string enough shortcut and miss out the spiritual This kind of radical self- to dissolve away our stubborn beliefs process - uncontrollable and consciousness — bringing with it the and the emotions that lock them in. idiosyncratic as it is - and instead often uncomfortable realization After 20 years of research and practice, change the people through repression, of the complicity of each of our I have developed the Breakthrough regulation and re-education. It did not everyday thoughts in the creation and Biodynamics process to do this (detailed work - could never work - because maintenance of a system that, well, in my book Switch On: Unleash Your our indomitable human spirit must be sucks for most — is the key to bringing Creativity & Thrive with the New inspired to be liberated; not forced into existence the concrete social Science & Spirit of Breakthrough). to comply to the will of others. Most justice, environmental sustainability, It links spiritual awakening with governments and social organisations economic equality and inter-racial peace psychological liberation and, ultimately, still attempt to change the world using so many truly hope for. social emancipation. the same crude levers instead of the messy and marvellous experience of “Our only hope today lies in our ability The core of the Inner Revolution has transformation. to recapture the revolutionary spirit and to be spiritual, not political, in nature. go out into a sometimes hostile world As a brilliant historian, Lynn White, The Inner Revolution is not an declaring eternal hostility to poverty, wrote in a prescient essay in 1967: intellectual exercise; cognitive sword- racism, and militarism.“ “Since the roots of our trouble are so play for the educated elite. Nor is it - Martin Luther King largely religious, the remedy must also merely a pretty New Age ideal. Far

37 ‘Hack’ The System

Hortense Koster ‘Hack’ the system: What I have role has always been to help decision Founder learned about gate crashing corporate makers at these organizations, with Trndmrkr.com systems to contribute to an innovative people- and trends insights, to create culture innovation solutions for business Being curious has taken me to different challenges. But how can companies Hortense Koster is the founder geographical places and resulted implement these insights when the of Trndmrkr.com. Trndmrkr is in continuous career- and personal traditional way of doing business feels a playground for creative and developments. It led me to work dated and mismatched with the pace strategic thinkers. Her specialities at a variety of start-ups, agencies, and needs of the customers in the real are consumer insights, design, organizations and innovation cultures. world? How can we help organizations advertising & digital media an Looking back I have found that having to adapt their cultures in response to innovative culture requires diverse worked within these different working changing customer mind-sets and trans-disciplinary teams. cultures, is probably the best work and needs? Typically, teams consist of about experience you can ever gain. In this 5-8 participants from as diverse article, I would like to share what I We have to break the rules and hack backgrounds such as engineering, have taken with me from working the system. architecture, social science, art within innovation cultures at large Many organizations that grew in the and design. Global diversity is also organizations. first half of the last century, such as very important: international and Philips and Volkswagen have been transcultural teams generally do To stay competitive and survive the build on the basis Taylorism. A theory better than culturally homogenous changes organizations are facing with the main objective is improving teams. today, many traditional organizations economic efficiency, especially labor need to reassess the way they build productivity, for example how a relationships with customers. My factory would work most efficiently.

38 This theory is at the hart of the and engineering – but also to really organizational culture and structure understand user needs but also to “An innovative culture and works efficiently. However, most design, prototype and test actual employees are not used to looking solutions. When using these tools requires diverse and outside this traditional playing field. organizations are able to pull multiple perspectives together to solve complex trans-disciplinary That’s where change in mindset needs problems driven by a human-centered-, to happen, a new way of thinking system level point of view. teams. Typically, teams that goes beyond an internal focus- hierarchy, rules and regulations- to an Secondly, an innovative culture consist of about 5-8 external focus- listening to customers, requires diverse and trans-disciplinary sharing ideas and collaborating. teams. Typically, teams consist of participants from as Hacking this system of internal focus about 5-8 participants from as diverse is nevertheless not something to take backgrounds such as engineering, diverse backgrounds easily. The key to becoming part of this architecture, social science, art new mindset lies in building a working and design. Global diversity is also such as engineering, culture where leaders and members very important: international and are all part of shaping the future of the transcultural teams generally do better architecture, social organization. than culturally homogenous teams. As a result of the learning process, science, art and design. 3 key-elements for hacking Design-Thinking generates T-shaped the system people, with excellence in their specific Global diversity is Hacking the system demands for agile (analytical thinking) field but also with methods, teams with diverse skills and excellence in bridging the gap between also very important: competences, and a clear definition or disciplines (creative thinking). measurement of the desired result. And last but most importantly, an international and One approach of engagement that is innovative culture demands for internal getting increase traction is the practice back up- and including, involving transcultural teams of Design Thinking. The mindset and engaging internal and external and practice of Design Thinking is stakeholders. The business world sees generally do better fundamentally optimistic, collaborative, the advantage of human-centered and focused on uncovering a variety design, but is still looking for its than culturally of solutions to solve a challenge. ‘credibility’ or proof of success, to apply Organizations are not only encouraged it to their outfacing business challenges homogenous teams.” to apply a wide and interdisciplinary as well as their internal practices. One range of research methods - taken reason for this is that the process from the humanities, social sciences, of researching, adapting or and

39 developing of new offerings is a still Summary a dynamic processes in which things The problem: Change is constant, but can turn out differently than planned. big organizations have difficulty to be Therefore Design Thinking is seen as agile, to be open and to stay relevant a ‘high-risk business’ in the traditional to customers. How can we help them sense and as such organizations are to ‘hack’ the system- to innovate, stay gatekeeping the way to building an competitive and close the gap between innovative corporate culture. However “inside and outside” listening. the insecurity about human-centered design can be avoided by backing up The approach: To survive the changes these creative methods. Not just with organizations are presently facing, numbers, but by facilitating an ongoing organizations need to reassess the way conversation within the organization they are structured, function and build and build or strengthen a culture of relationships with customers. mutual trust. The solution: A people-centered What I have learned in the past years approach like Design Thinking has is that change won’t come just looking emerged because it provides us with to your left and to your right. It is a useful methods and tools to bridge journey we should take organizations the gap with customers externally on, to help them trust the methods and guide the future processes within by engaging in interactive workshops, organizations internally experience empathy towards their customer and collaborate internally. For more information please contact Try to make organizations see where [email protected] opportunities lie in the mindset, practices and cultures of a diversity of dynamic contexts.

40 Standing at the Gates (Part 1)

Alnoor Ladha I don’t know if I am becoming more Prize and eager planet miner and solar Founding Member argumentative and cantankerous as I system colonizer). /The Rules get older, but I find myself in more and more arguments with strangers. The She explained that she had previously latest episode has stayed with me, partly worked at a ‘tech incubator’ in the Alnoor Ladha is founding member because on paper our backgrounds and ‘Valley’ and how she was focused on of /The Rules, a global network ambitions should have aligned. ‘disruptive thinking’ and ‘exponential of activists, writers, designers, technologies’ that could save the world. coders and researchers focused I was sitting on a patio of a Mexican As she glowed in reverence for the on addressing the root causes of restaurant in Cape Town, next to a curriculum at Singularity University, she inequality and poverty. He is also friend of a friend, a young Italian woman explained how she and her classmates a board member of Greenpeace who lives in Silicon Valley. Conscious have created a mobile application that International USA. He is based in that this montage of globalization would will help accelerate education for up to Cape Town, South Africa. not have been possible twenty years one billion people, largely in developing ago, I asked what brought her to the countries, by ‘gameifying’ education’. city. She told me how she is a recent Hence her trip to South Africa. graduate of Singularity University, an ‘innovation lab’ based in NASA’s Somewhere between ‘productization’ Ames campus in northern California and ‘monetization’, I interjected by founded by Ray Kurzweil (father of stating that the only proven model the Singularity, the idea that a super- for exponential growth has been the intelligence will result as man merges computer microchip processor. Moore’s with machine in the year 2045) and Law is not a universal law. In fact, over Peter Diamandis (founder of the X the past two decades we have had an

41 increase in poverty and inequality, Quite simply, if you believe the increasing food famines, and experts world is getting better and history is predict mass resource wars as we move inconsequential, the technoutopian to ‘peak everything’. The Earth has lost world-view has a natural gravitational “The question of 50% of its wildlife in the last 40 years, pull. It doesn’t matter that we are and according to the International Panel creating unprecedented rates of species who is the world on Climate Change (IPCC) we will lose extinction, or that our current system half of the planet’s biodiversity – that’ s amplifies the historical injustices of getting better for is half the living plant and animal life in the colonialism, imperialism, genocide, world – as we mitigate for a four degree- slavery, misogyny and racism, or never questioned. Celsius rise in temperature by 2050. even that perpetual growth has planetary bounds, as our ingenuity and The Western hope in As these statements challenged the technological prowess will inevitably core of my new friend’s Panglossian overcome all of these inconvenient technology as savior world-view, I saw myself fall quickly truths. out of favor. The politeness of new is conveniently self- acquaintances gave way to a hostile And of course, the question of who is barrage of illogical suppositions. “Would the world getting better for is never enforced by material you have us go back to a primitive questioned. The Western hope in way of living? How are you living your technology as savior is conveniently comfort and privilege, supposed values as you drink bottled self-enforced by material comfort water? And who wouldn’t choose hope and privilege, and shelters us from and shelters us from over despair?” recognizing that eight out of ten of our brothers and sisters are living under recognizing that It was of course not my intention to $5 a day, the threshold which the UN elicit this type of reaction. I was hoping body UNCTAD says is the minimum eight out of ten of our to encourage the next generation of to achieve “a standard of living idealist to expand her scope to include a adequate for health and wellbeing”: brothers and sisters more structural analysis of our current the inalienable right enshrined in the situation. But as always, ideology is Universal Declaration of are living under a constant background condition. It Human Rights. strikes me that the real divide here has $5 a day” two axis lines. The first is the whether If one believes that things are getting or not one believes the world is getting worse and history is important, the better or worse. The second is whether corollary is that things can of course one believes that history matters. get better. True optimism is not whitewashing away anything but

42 ‘good news’ but seeing deep trends of school, then through healthcare progress and potential in an accurate, or access to food or housing. Once whole picture. It is also knowing that indebted, we find ourselves having to “Our education system where we came from can help us build a work for money that is manufactured better roadmap to where we are going. in privatized mints and administered is molded on the As we usher in this better world, we by governments, the apparatchiks heed the lessons of the past so as to of the global corporate system. As ‘victors of history’, the not replicate the violence, oppression, elite wealth and its associated power extraction and exploitation of our congeals – 85 billionaires now have elite perspective and current economic and political system. the same wealth as 3.5 billion people – their power shows itself up as the selective memory. We are encouraged to believe the only truly exponential factor, outside of former. Our education system is microchip processors. In turn, thanks Those considered molded on the ‘victors of history’, to the influence of money in politics the elite perspective and selective around the world, we inexorably talented are usually memory. Those considered talented entrench the conditions of what we call are usually those who show a deep this One Party Planet. In this way, the those who show a deep and unquestioning acceptance of world system is organized according this perspective, who do well on to neo-liberal logic of ‘trickle-up’ and unquestioning standardized tests and faithfully validate economics that serve an undemocratic, and extend the establishment logic in unaccountable elite at the expense of acceptance of this their careers. They are lauded with the majority. scholarships, awards and promotions perspective, who do that reinforce the virtue of their belief, The result of believing that the arrow of their ‘giftedness’. As John Ralston Saul progress is righteous and well on standardized reminds us, it is in the nature of all unbending, especially in the face complex social and political systems of stark evidence to the contrary, is tests and faithfully to reward those who best perpetuate that we become not only complacent their logic. Where that logic is psychotic, but complicit in the inherent validate and extend the based on self-interest, greed and short- destructiveness of this brand of late- termism, that is the psychology and stage capitalism. establishment logic in behavior that will be most rewarded. In such a system, the rest of us – the Take, as yet another example, the fact their careers. majority – who do not demonstrate that for every dollar of wealth created, that behavior come to serve its needs 93 cents goes to the top 1%. Unless through their service of perpetual, this can be shown to be a gross and and ever-greater debt – if not through temporary aberration, it can only be

43 “The promise of the concluded that this manner of wealth of what not long ago we considered creation directly, inextricably and our most private data, and are now as Internet was to remove exponentially also creates vast wealth much the gatekeepers of this system inequality. Add to that the fact that as any steel or tobacco corporation, or the gatekeepers every dollar of wealth created heats government agency. up our planet thanks to the fossil-fuel of this dominant based energy requirements; that the They appeal to the logical and necessary world’s poor and middle class pay instinct for anarchism in our youth system, to usher in a grossly more than their fair share of (and other free thinkers): the desire the world’s tax as rich elites and multi- to creatively self-organize, and they world of democratic national corporations opt out of their twist that into an elitist form of social contract through the use of tax Libertarianism, where there is little or access to information, havens and accounting black magic; no room for governments or regulation. and that, through global trade deals like All the while they are training them to innovation and NAFTA and the proposed Trans-Pacific believe that the problems created by the Partnership (TPP), the underlying market-fundamentalist system – climate decision-making, operating principles are, right now, change, mass poverty, rabid inequality – being super-charged and replicated can be solved by the very same market beyond the old for a whole new generation, and the mechanisms. As Peter Diamandis true and extreme rapaciousness of this states, “In a world where the biggest constraints of system are painfully apparent. problems on the planet are the biggest market opportunities, why wouldn’t you geographical borders. The promise of the Internet was be focusing on them?” to remove the gatekeepers of this Instead, the culture dominant system, to usher in a world We are told that chasing profit through of democratic access to information, technological incrementalism is of Silicon Valley innovation and decision-making, beyond somehow commensurate with solving the old constraints of geographical the world’s problems. Distracted by has created a new borders. Instead, the culture of Silicon ‘disruptive innovation,’ ‘conscious Valley has created a new ideology. capitalism’, ‘social enterprise’, ‘impact ideology. A fuzzy mix A fuzzy mix between technological investing’ and other deeply un- determinism and free market politicized blind alleys, we are told between technological evangelism. In their world, corporations we can go on exactly as we are. We like Google and Facebook are have become prisoners of our own determinism and free benevolent dictators, busily not being construction, forgetting that the crisis evil, even though they have monetized we face as a civilization is as much a market evangelism.” and made a marketable-commodity crisis of the economic system as it is an

44 “Those who were Forgetting, “The struggle of man against The most powerful realization we must power is the struggle of memory against engender in ourselves and communities supposed to become forgetting.” is that there is no separation between humans and all other life; this planet is, the gatecrashers - the If we connect the dots between the ultimately, a single bio-organism. From capitalist system and the crises that face there, it is a short step to realizing that radicals, the misfits, the us, if we think constellationally, a new human power is such that the current set of solutions will emerge. They may state of this world – all the wealth real innovators, like the include a re-localization of politics and and wonder and all the destruction the economy; the rediscovery of the and misery alike - are a product of our brilliant Italian woman Original Wisdom of Indigenous cultures collective manifestation. We have a around the world; putting limits on the social, political and economic system I met that day in Cape power of corporations and taxes on the that reflects our level of consciousness. source of carbon use; a revival of barter So we must go both deep within Town - have become and gift economies; the closing down of ourselves to reconnect with our source, tax havens; an embrace of steady state and spread ourselves wide, throughout the gatekeepers economics; the provision of a citizen’s our communities. We must do whatever income to cover the basic necessities re-progamming is necessary for this new through a combination required for human dignity; and even consciousness to emerge – unlearning, the abolition of military spending. re-learning, remembering, examining of alluring ideology, Digital technology will inevitably play a our imprints, getting to a non-ordinary powerful facilitating role, but technology state through meditation or the use of debilitating privilege has always and only ever been a tool. In psychedelics or whatever avenues allow the absence of new principles – a new us to be free thinkers again. And we will and myopic amnesia.” and wiser ideology - guiding the hands of course use the existing system to that use it, it can only change the pace, build the new system. ecological, spiritual and moral crisis. and not the direction, of travel. The aim will be to create structures Those who were supposed to become Put simply, the task of our generation that allow the conscious evolution and the gatecrashers - the radicals, the is one of reconstruction. If we want to ascension of our species, in symbiosis misfits, the real innovators, like the be true gatecrashers, we must move with Nature. As the great Indian mystic brilliant Italian woman I met that beyond the frustration of the ineptitude Sri Arobindo was fond of saying, day in Cape Town - have become the and psychopathy of the elites, corrupt we have to go from theoreticians of gatekeepers through a combination of politicians and robber barons that are evolution to practioners of evolution. alluring ideology, debilitating privilege lionized in our media and educational We must all be gatecrashers now. and myopic amnesia. As Milan Kundera institutions. We must start by taking reminds us in the Book of Laughter and responsibility.

45 The Gatecrasher Manifesto (Part 2)

This manifesto is written by /The Rules, a network of activists, writers, designers, coders and researchers focused on addressing the root causes of inequality and poverty.

Alnoor Ladha We are the last generation. We are the for private gain. We know that we Founding Member first generation. are part of a complex ecosystem that /The Rules nurtures all life, and that life-sustaining We refuse to retain the illusions of those commons cannot be possessed. who came before us. Alnoor Ladha is founding member They believe that our debts are of /The Rules, a global network Their truths are not our truths. moral failings. We know that debts of activists, writers, designers, are designed to keep us docile and coders and researchers focused The architects of the present system obedient, and to neutralize our on addressing the root causes of may be clever, but they are not wise. will to resist. inequality and poverty. He is also a board member of Greenpeace They believe that progress is ever more They believe that individualism is the International USA. He is based in production and consumption. We know apex of human evolution. We know that Cape Town, South Africa. that this endless growth is a cancer, it only alienates us from each other, speeding up the destruction of leaving us isolated, depressed our planet. and anxious.

They believe that wealth is a sign of They tell us we live in an age of merit, of virtue. We know that this is a democracy. We know that our political shallow and anemic understanding of systems have been captured by what makes a life worthwhile. corporations and elites who worship private gain over the public good. They believe that Mother Earth is a commodity to be bought and sold

46 We refuse to retain the illusions of those Perpetual growth is a story. who came before us. Debt is a story. We will not be the gatekeepers of the status quo. The nation state is a story.

We strive to better ourselves for the Capitalism itself is just a story. good of all, rather than accumulate wealth at the expense of others. We have better stories that articulate our true nature. “We value human We value human relationships, nurture our inner gifts, and embrace our We have a story of unity. relationships, nurture unique spiritual journeys. We refuse to measure ourselves by what we earn We have a story of symbiosis with the our inner gifts, and and consume. planet and the principles that govern the natural world. embrace our unique We honour the ingenuity of the human spirit and will not be enslaved by We have a story of an economy that spiritual journeys. We corporations and governments that serves our higher selves. pillage our collective wealth. refuse to measure We have a story of life as a web of We reach for fairness and compassion deep connections celebrating empathy, ourselves by what we between equals, and refuse to compassion, participate in a world order that justice, and co-operation. earn and consume.” depends on perpetual war and plunder. They will call us utopians: deluded and unrealistic. But they are deluded who We live to learn, love and thrive, believe we can continue on our together. We refuse to retain the illusions present path. of those who came before us. We do not need permission to create The current order has been created the better world we know is possible. by a set of warped and violent stories. They are not our stories. Resistance to the current order is not an option. It is inevitable. Individualism is a story. We all must be gatecrashers now.

47 Q&A with Sara Shamsavari

Sara Shamsavari Given the widely accepted role of relevance to the society we are living Artist curatorial gatekeeper’s within the in today with projects such as Britain art world how have you built your Retold- A Portrait of London and following and craft? most recently London Veil | Paris Veil| I have worked both on my own self- NYC Veil| are all contributing factors Sara Shamsavari is a British curating my exhibitions and with to the widespread press and media artist of Iranian heritage whose traditional curators/ gatekeepers attention the work has received which vibrant and emotive images who’s vision and values are aligned to helped to get these ideas in to public explore and reinterpret identity my own. I have also worked with other consciousness. and address current social and established artists who curate as well cultural concerns. While each of as collaborrating with artists working How do you perceive the idea of photographic series’ has a distinct in the same and different mediums collaboration between creators focus they all seek to encourage to myself. I began installing my own as a counterbalance to traditional the ideals of non-judgement, exhibitions on from an early age and gatekeepers? equality, unity in diversity, this attracted traditional curators who I think that artists who work in the collective responsibility. invited me to be part of larger shows. same or different mediums have the I have exhibited in galleries, museums, potential to come together and make Sara is described as “energetic political and public spaces as well as amazing things happen and now more and forceful...weighed with non traditional artistic spaces. than ever many artists are able to conviction” (The Guardian) with do this for themselves. I personally “the rare gift of capturing how the The motivation was really to share the believe we need a balance between light strikes a face to illuminate work and as my work developed to also the two. I don’t like the idea of being hope” (Aesthetica), her work as share a strong vision and purpose. The wholly dependent on another person quality of the work, its purpose and its or establishment to push for my

48 success at the same time whether it The ingredients to me that make up a “unflinchingly honest portraits” is a collaborator or a gatekeeper that successful collaboration between two (Brownbook UAE),“revealing I choose to work with I must be able artists are for me, the same as those a unique empathy with her to come in to the collaboration with that make up a successful collaboration subjects”(i-D). genuine respect and openness to what between artist and curator or artist the other party is bringing to the table and establishment or any other kind Born in Tehran in the midst of the and allow them to do their work. of partnership.Some of the things Iranian revolution, Sara overcame These days when an artist/ works with I consider to be essential are as childhood cancer while she and an agents, gallery or other gatekeepers follows: her family fled persecution. Being they often work collaboratively, both The parties involved will share a raised in London from the age of carrying the weight and responsibilities mission, values and inspirations, two inspired her exploration of of what it takes to create a successful although their approaches and ideas identity, while surviving both the exhibition. may be different, which can often be revolution and illness engendered complimentary, they are on the same a profound desire to make a What are the advantages/pitfalls page . Those involved must share a difference through art. of the collaboration process among genuine respect for each others work, creators i.e. gatecrashers? motivations and position as without Sara was educated at Camberwell In an ideal world collaborations mutual appreciation and respect there School of Art and Design with a between artists should be inspiring, is no foundation for trust.Once there BA (Hons) and the University of add new dimension and elevate the is trust there can be open honest Westminster (Cert HE in Music) work of all involved to new audiences communication and if something isn’t producing work in a range of and levels of success helping each working for one of the parties they mediums including music, painting, person involved reach their individual should feel they are able to speak up. photography and film, choosing and collective goals .I have experienced For me this last one is so important- the photography as the first of her the positive side in my collaborations persons involved must be finishers, professional endeavours for its with artists such as Tom Donald- a they must be the kind of people who ability to create an instant bond jazz improvisation virtuoso pianist are able to meet deadlines. In the between the artist and the outside who recently interpreted my series creative industries we find a lot of world. Beauty Untold- Portraits from the people with great ideas who somehow Street in to unique and unrepeatable aren’table to see them through. Shamsavari’s work has exhibited set of improvisations. Also in my work internationally in galleries, with film maker James Maiki who I We once spoke about the concept museums and public spaces co-directed videos for the Shantrelle P. of givers and takers as opposed to including the ICA, City Hall and Lewis The Dandy Lion Project at ASSF gatekeepers and gatecrashers, explain The Royal Festival Hall (London), and London Veil | Paris Veil| NYC Veil| what that means to you? Espace Pierre Cardin( Paris ) videos. The downside of ‘success’ can be the attraction of ‘gatecrashers’ or takers

49 as we once spoke about. Following be there regardless of the external and Rush Arts (NY). Her work, the recent years where the work validation. exhibitions and profile have has enjoyed a lot of recognition featured across various media and both from the media and from Explain the role that trust plays in publications including BBC 1, ITN, respected ‘gatekeepers’ or givers. I navigating your current reality as an Reuters, The Guardian, Elle, i-D, am propositioned by many people artist? Dazed & Confused and Volt. to ‘collaborate’ but sadly it is clear Trust is of utmost importance, you that many of them see what they need to feel you can trust those whom Sara has delivered a number of perceive as success without really you work and collaborate with but artist talks, lectures and workshops understanding the work or respecting also that you can trust yourself to get at cultural institutions including what it took to get there. They are out if it isn’t working and to bounce Tate Britain, Southbank Centre blinded by the bright lights and back if there has been some damage and the Royal Institution of Great rather than wanting to connect on to you or your reputation in the Britain as well as University of Arts the basis of shared values, mission process. London, University of Creative Arts and inspiration, they want to jump on and Sycracuse University. board with you, in some way under My positive and negative experiences the impression that the association of collaborating have been fantastic as will bring them success regardless of they have sharpened my discernment. whether they have anything to offer, I believe that you should be selective any ideas or can even explain why they and understand that even when you want to work with you. These people are that is no guarantee that the seem to think that if they work with collaboration will work, however its your networks or your contacts its will still important to give people a chance somehow bring them greater success and not just work with those you’ve than seeking out the professional known for a long time. I tend to work that is right for their needs. The with a combination of people Ive same people often do not treat your known for a long time and have a solid contacts with respect and certainly relationship with and new people with would never share their networks fresh perspectives and ideas. with you. How do you balance your creative The sad part for me is this behaviour process, curatorial environment and highlights a lack of respect for ones quality to produce at a level that is self that in our society is regarded as fulfilling? normal because so many people are I think it is a challenge and I am chasing external validation to feel they constantly working to raise the have a purpose. The purpose must standards and create more work,

50 better work. Its important for me to Here are some links: keep my priorities in order in terms • An article on a collaboration of the work I create as well as making between myself and Tom Donald sure there is a structure to share and http://www.culturecompass.co.uk/ “It is important to expose the work. beauty-without-words/ • A collaborative video with James understand that If we assume the paradigm of Maiki for Shantelle P. Lewis The gatekeepers and gatecrashers is Dandy Lion Project https://vimeo. anyone could be a somehow lacking, what would be a com/104768506 better structure to think of these • A collaborative video with James potential collaborator issues? What are the values inherent Maiki for London Veil | Paris Veil| with this system? NYC Veil| (currently showing at with whom you Both terms can be regarded as too the Royal Festival Hall) https:// narrow since in this age anybody vimeo.com/120901832 could collectively could potentially be a ‘gatekeeper’ at the same time it is easy to see how I have included a list of current and achieve your goals, many people could be perceived as forthcoming shows below: ‘gatecrashers’ regardless of their • Britain Retold- a Portrait of creative, social and intentions. London- is currently on view at Tricycle London, from Feb 19th- spiritual, material I think it is important to understand April 29th 2015 that anyone could be a potential • The London Paris & New York Veil and recognition. I collaborator with whom you could Series are on view at The Royal collectively achieve your goals, Festival Hall from March 1st-29th feel like the problem creative, social and spiritual, material 2015 . and recognition.I feel like the problem • The Dandy Lion project is on View comes when peoples comes when peoples ambitions aren’t at MoCP Chicago from April 9th in line with their values. Its important until July 2nd 2015 ambitions aren’t in line to be really clear about what your • Re: Significations in association goals are on every level and be honest. with Black Portraitures is on view with their values.” I also think it is important to trust in Florence from the 28th May ones instincts. In every collaboration 2015 all parties involved must be gaining something, growing developing or reaching new levels of their definition of success.

51 “To perceive the world differently, we must be willing to change our belief system, let the past slip away, expand our sense of now, and dissolve the fear in our minds.” - William James

“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” - E. E. Cummings

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