Living-Systems: Transition Towns’ Growing Edge
by Pamela Boyce Simms
The self-organizing, ever-morphing Transition Towns experiment is patterned after living-systems in
nature. That’s a tall order! To take this path in transitioning towns toward local resiliency in the United States is
to deliberately step away from mainstream thought and behavior.
Interdependence
Economist David
Korten identifies characteristics of nature’s systems that humans might
imitate: 1) non-hierarchical, cooperative self-organization; 2) tapping the
rich spectrum of contributions inherent in diversity; 3) self-reliant local
adaptation; and 4) balanced energy
flows between individuals and the whole. In an ecosystem, trillions of organisms dance a ballet of interrelated exchange. Each organism contributes to the needs of its neighbors, to the equilibrium, and the resilience of the whole while maintaining its own identity. How do human systems measure up?
Do we value each other’s humanity equally? Embracing the living-systems goal requires a fundamental shift of lenses for those conditioned in the hyper-individualistic, stratified culture that drives the US economic system. Transitioning challenges us to appreciate each other’s innate talents rather than objectify people as commodities with an assigned market value.
How many people accept and act on the knowledge that an hour of a babysitter’s time is equal to an hour of a neurosurgeon’s time since each are as vital to the functioning of the human system? Valuing each person’s contribution equally is a beacon in the distance that deepens the environmental work Transitioners do together.
Power-&-control, competitive, and hierarchical habits in
group-work are hard to kick. If we participate in the “business as usual”
mainstream, power and control dynamics infuse the air that we breathe. Natural
living-systems on the other hand, have no need for a centralized control
structure. The power of a living-system is derived not from individual
participants but from how participants are organized, and the interchange among
them. So while the contributions of individuals are essential, the power of
systems emerges from their interdependence.
The non-hierarchical Transition
movement tasks groups to vigilantly self-observe in order to head off “power-&-control-think”
at the pass. Work is “convened” and “facilitated” not steered. Full
self-expression and listening deeply for emerging needs and courses of action
give free reign to the creative force of the collective genius.
Emulating Biodiversity Maximizes Resiliency
Reflecting living-systems, Transition affirms that the more vastly diverse and aware of its interrelatedness a community is, the greater its
capacity to innovate and be resilient in the face of crisis.
This unbridled celebration of community diversity is
apparent among Rosendale, NY Transitioners. Concerned about a political divide
in Rosendale, diverse members of the community formed the Rosendale Improvement
Association Brass Band & Social Club. The Transition Rosendale Initiating Group
(IG) draws on this spirit and includes members of the band. Connecting the dots
between diverse perspectives and sustainability, the IG and Band use art to
bridge the communities that Transition events don’t typically reach.
The eclectic Band and Transition Rosendale are a
force best experienced firsthand. The Band exuberantly marched (ranging in age
from toddlerhood to a beloved centenarian)
around Earthfest 2013 grounds to rousing music. The sheer joy and depth of
mutual appreciation radiating from their music and meetings is palpable. The
arts-focused eco-fervor, and inclusion of everyone
in the mix will make Rosendale all the more resilient.
Localization & Self-Organization
Transition
recognizes that aligning the way we live with the Earth’s biosphere means the most vital work
necessarily happens locally. Local
self-organization optimizes sustainable use of the elements
that support life. When constant adaptation takes place in localized
microenvironments, any shock to the larger system is minimized. Resiliency is
maximized. Transition Towns therefore focus on localizing the factors communities need to thrive, e.g. food
production, alternative energy generation, economic interchange and more.
Although local self-reliance is a goal of living-systems that seek
resiliency, interconnectedness among systems is also essential. The Transition
movement’s evolution therefore mirrors nature’s interlocking microhabitats. The
Transition network
now encompasses thousands of towns, regional and national hubs that function as
a loosely connected international latticework of systems. Subsystems nested in
geographically larger systems inform the other’s process to enhance the
wellbeing of the whole, while cultivating all that is unique to its own
particular sense of place.
Mindfully Managed Boundaries: Transition’s
Growing Edge
Managing the energy and information flow among
interconnected individuals, groups, and systems to allow emergence of the new is Transition’s growing edge. This
occurs seamlessly in nature where each entity maintains a balanced flow of
energy within itself and in continuous exchange with its neighbors. However,
this type of interchange challenges Western minds conditioned to focus on
disconnection, separation and competition.
Through environmental work together, Transitioners
try to deeply consider how they treat each other and reorient their personal
compasses toward true community.
Transitioners acknowledge that the movement is an
evolving experiment, and that they don’t have all of the answers. They aren’t intent on finding perfect solutions, but like living-systems, seek experimental
pathways that meet the need of the hour and can be refined over time. When
something doesn’t work, Transitioners embrace new behaviors and adapt to
emergent circumstances. Each time they shift course, the complexity of their
relationships is deepened and they become more adaptable—more resilient.
We’re
all invited to emulate nature’s living-systems and be part of the great
experiment as we “hold the space” in these critical times for the emergence of
the new.
"All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose
time has come."
–Victor
Hugo
Pamela
Boyce Simms is a Certified Transition Trainer,
Mid-Atlantic
Transition Hub (MATH) of Transition US
Transitionmidatlantic.org
~ TransitionUS.org
–photo by Jim Peppler
–photo by Jim Peppler
Posted by Chris Hewitt
on 10:38 AM.
Filed under
Feature,
Transition Field Notes
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