There were so many positives experienced during this innervating Conference. One was finding like minded people who are flexible and have found ways to live, while following their passions.
- The best conversations happened privately, exchanging ideas with many professionals. Realizing that they, too, were concerned about using AI (data) in an ethical manner to benefit People.
- Others were working in the public and private sector; teachers, politicians, lawyers, artists, poets. All were concerned advocates, working to understand and create a safe productive space for everyone they encountered or mentored.
There were good stories, too. A film , Road Trip Nation, entitled Rerouting, filmed crossing America provided an opportunity for 3 individuals to discover themselves & other Americans while they traveled for 21 days, starting 8/19/19. This documentary , appearing on PBS, captures the American spirit of doubt and renewal. Renewal, when people understand themselves and find new ways to use their experiences, so they can succeed and help others.
When events left these people, floundering without a livelihood, they chose to be involved in their solutions and to seek work, even non traditional, artistic endeavors, rather than wallow in depression. These were courageous steps to take. https://roadtripnation.com/roadtrip/future-of-work
- Many may face changes in their lifestyle that also impact their Communities and feel lost . This movie is for them, citing examples of how people adapt and become change agents for their Communities.
- Because of circumstances, beyond our control, they have become Entrepreneurs with a passion to do good, to achieve , to sell new ideas , risking success or failure. All the while, they’ve changed and adopted a new mindset for change. They now feel the hope change provides and are able to pursue new goals and rewards.
Imagine the surprise felt by the three travelers, when they traveled through Appalachia and realized Appalachia is similar to Detroit. It was powerful! ” Bernita, from Detroit, a single Mom, has felt boxed in by her lack of degrees. Though , like so many others, she’s lived a lifetime of experience, and now she’s ready to test them out.” When she returns from Road Trip Nation, she’s able to live her dream. She’s now interacting with government and her community providing jobs for kids.
- Brandon Dennison, Founder of Coalfield Development, stepped up in Appalachia to demand justice and jobs for his Community, too! And like Detroit, they’re not only into Construction, they’re providing shop space for crafts and food sustainability. This is the shape of progress.
All the people encountered on Road Trip Nation, have opted out of the life they were following, took a risk and embraced their passions and a desire for a change in their lives, lifestyle & livelihoods.
- They have taken responsibility for the changes they’ve made. They’re no longer afraid to look at their failures and can concentrate on their successes. They’ve embraced new ideas, evolving and flexible.
The hope of our Nation is accepting ourselves and others and not buying into nihilism or a dystopian future. We can change . Remaining in place is too painful to bear.
I’ve included the link to Rad Trip Nation, notes. The entire film is available on YouTube.
https://roadtripnation.com/roadtrip/future-of-work:
The heart and pulse of “we the People”