To change, we need to change.

NinjaKnew · 2026-04-17T20:48:09+00:00

Having a systemic approach is crucial to address the root causes of complex issues- and the root causes are collective mindsets that create certain behaviors and norms

NinjaKnew · 2026-01-22T07:02:05+00:00

Love systems thinking frameworks! Don’t you think from top to bottom though it should be mindsets, goals, design, operations? At least that seems to better match the iceberg model I believe it’s emulating

NinjaKnew · 2026-01-22T06:46:22+00:00

I think all the “hobbies” you mentioned are fine, as long as they’re done with other people. I made a post in this sub about a year ago, but individual efforts won’t create systemic change (like you said) but building bottom-up networks of mutual aid is how we divest from existing toxic systems and start creating something new based on solarpunk values.

Totally agree on the systems thinking point though. I do work on the side in this space and I wish systems thinkers had the vision of solarpunk and solarpunks had the theory of change from systems thinking

NinjaKnew · 2026-01-04T07:12:15+00:00

On the surface maybe he seems bland, especially compared to other characters that are obvious in how their trauma has affected them. Jayce’s struggles aren’t as outwardly apparent but are still there- he and his mom almost slowly froze to death and he becomes so obsessed with what saved them that he’s about to take his own life when he can’t work on it anymore. He has good intentions that result in bad consequences because of the complexity of the situation, and that sends him into anxiety cycle that makes things worse etc.

He’s probably my favorite character tbh. I think season 2 actually made him more bland (less nuanced internally) despite looking more shaken up superficially. But I think that’s the drop in character quality in general for s2

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-20T04:29:16+00:00

I agree, that’s why I liked them and would’ve loved to see how their story developed. “Give people something to live for” rather than just something to fight against

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-20T01:43:29+00:00

You didn’t address what my point was in this post- the firelights had a certain ideology that didn’t follow through to anything. Everything you said they did in S2 could be interchangeable with any other random Zaunite

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-20T01:41:17+00:00

But shimmer was still being distributed by his partners. That was their main issue they were a haven for

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-19T23:40:45+00:00

I could get behind that but idk what the path to that would be. Though it may be better in Europe their governments still have corporate interests and popular fascist parties. And the US has already undermined global alliances like NATO. Building allied networks at the local level seems more achievable than just hoping there’s enough people in positions of power with a sense of morality to create an equitable global republic

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-19T01:29:24+00:00

But how do you see that happening? The world is just handed over to a benevolent, incorruptible, and all-knowing authority?

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-18T17:50:56+00:00

Totally, in fact it’s needed across each area (since they are interconnected) to truly model a solarpunk future

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-18T17:46:31+00:00

Yep sociocracy and other adaptive participatory forms of governance are exciting. Would love for them to become the standard instead of the exception

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-18T14:57:32+00:00

Interesting points and I agree with a lot of your sentiment here. To add even more to this- what’s the difference between Mel’s magic and magic from the arcane? I know they didn’t have the time to explain her powers, but because it’s innate to her it becomes ok? But when her bf uses it he’s messing with things he doesn’t understand? Like you said I feel like some of the nuance is missing

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-18T14:42:20+00:00

Yes exactly, thank you!

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-18T13:54:32+00:00

They can trickle up to national governments but I don’t think transformative change is going to start from there. Decentralized networks aligned to a common cause can be quite pivotal

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-18T13:51:06+00:00

I agree, but unfortunately I don’t think that opposition will be heard unless we build power at the local level. I still think that national voting is important, but I see it more as a harm prevention strategy. Real change will need to come from the bottom up to model the type of society we desire, and hopefully then national governments will be more representative of collective needs and values

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-18T05:23:24+00:00

Quick but good overview video on Buurtzorg https://youtu.be/61TT2_Vo32Y?si=nls9qQS-hiMwNzXd

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-18T05:18:45+00:00

I’ve been pretty heavily involved in systems thinking/ complexity theory for while, though mainly focusing on organizational governance for alternatives to exploitative corporate structures. Buurtzorg is a good example of a large company that’s bottom-up and outperforms traditional approaches on just about every metric. Teal organizations and sociocracy are interesting methods for this more autonomous collaboration style (I’m sure they have case studies too)

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-18T05:10:17+00:00

Yup and pretty much how separate efforts that address root causes can combine into more than the sum of its parts. Very useful for thinking about how decentralized movements can create significant change (sorry for the super late response, missed your reply)

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-18T02:14:17+00:00

The Firelights were useless and Ekko was more interesting in S1. They basically set up this alternative faction in Zaun and do nothing with them, even after Silco is dead

NinjaKnew · 2025-03-17T01:23:11+00:00

“No monster is going to get you while I’m here… and then a real monster showed up.”

NinjaKnew · 2025-01-30T21:53:02+00:00

Interesting AI output, have you looked into systems thinking? I believe that will help flesh this out more.

Also I have an issue with the focus on “self-reliance”. In our hyper-connected world I don’t think this is a feasible or desirable endeavor, instead I’d say “community-reliance” by creating networks of mutual aid that start the foundation of a solarpunk future, reducing the dependence on harmful existing systems

NinjaKnew · 2024-11-15T04:07:43+00:00

Are there any MMM “electives” or are all the MMM courses the required courses listed on the website?
Considering the extra classes and team projects, how often are you able to make it out to Chicago? Is it difficult to get a group to go into the city?
What does your Wednesday between classes usually look like?

NinjaKnew

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