Gallery
Experiment overview
An ambitious attempt to create a collaborative network of change-makers united by their desire to challenge existing systems and develop alternative approaches to societal challenges.
This community initiative emerged from my personal frustration with the limitations of individual action against entrenched systems and my hope that we could find strength through collective intelligence, all while I was living in the forest as part of my field research into post-capitalistic ways of living - literally leading the process from the wild.
Main objectives
I designed the network to foster collaboration and systemic change through three key approaches:
1: Bringing together individuals who shared my frustration with conventional systems to explore alternative models and collaborative solutions
2: Creating sustainable funding mechanisms to support our community infrastructure and collective action initiatives
3: Building a resilient community structure that could effectively challenge established systems while providing mutual support to members
Achieved results
Despite attracting energetic and talented participants, I made critical mistakes in how I structured the community, particularly in failing to create proper recruitment processes and clear expectations.
In a decision I now recognize as emotionally driven, I closed the community without consulting the group, an action I regret but that provided profound lessons about leadership and community stewardship.
Main reflection
This experiment taught me that effective communities require physical touchpoints, regular face-to-face meetings where genuine human connections can develop beyond the superficial interactions of digital platforms.
I learned that communities built from a place of frustration lack the positive foundation necessary for regenerative collaboration, and my unilateral decision to end the project, while painful, revealed important truths about my own leadership approach.
While I closed the network in a way I now question, this experience provided invaluable insights that continue to shape my approach to community building, particularly that meaningful communities must balance digital convenience with authentic human connection, and that even difficult endings can yield powerful lessons when we’re willing to reflect honestly on our choices.
From this place, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all Network members who joined me in this experiment. Your courage, wisdom, and willingness to explore alternative paths continue to inspire me, even as our formal collaboration has ended.