Visualizing our civil society as a living organism might suggest a natural inclination to revert to a previously stable state. However, many organisms in nature possess the remarkable ability to adapt to new realities as a means of survival. In light of this, our society should actively support and embrace social changes that can advance our democracy into an evolved state. This can be achieved by stepping outside our comfort zones to forge new relationships aimed at fostering understanding amidst our differences, thereby facilitating collaborative change.
My research focuses on how change occurs within transformative learning networks—flexible social groups that emphasize learning from one another. During times of complex crises, participants in these networks take bold steps by breaking away from their regular social habits to cultivate new interactions across ideological, institutional, and geographical divides. These networks have the potential to give rise to entirely new professional fields, schools of thought, and organizations. A prime example is the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, which began as a collective of individuals with diverse backgrounds, united by a common goal: enhancing community resilience against wildfires. Recognizing that no single method could effectively address the intricacies of wildfire management, they combined their varied experiences to forge innovative solutions.
The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus famously stated, “the only constant in life is change,” while Martin Luther King Jr. powerfully noted that “change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” Human communities have developed instincts that often lead us to resist or overlook change—take, for instance, our collective tendency to dismiss the tangible evidence of climate change around us. We often fail to recognize the incremental changes occurring until we find ourselves faced with a drastically altered reality.
The rhizome, a concept from nature, illustrates the unpredictability of change and suggests that while we cannot halt change, we can steer it towards the future we desire. Anyone who has tended to a garden understands the workings of rhizomes, which are underground stems that spread and thrive, showcasing how change can be both hidden and powerful. Like these subterranean networks, social change can be complex, non-linear, and decentralized, as explained by philosophers Deleuze and Guattari.
This rhizomatic model teaches us that we must move away from traditional hierarchical structures to foster genuine change. We need to cultivate our underground learning networks, build new connections, and break down the barriers that restrict us. By engaging actively in civic life and forming relationships across diverse social and political landscapes, we can reconstruct our understanding of potential futures while amassing our collective strength, allowing us to emerge renewed.
Connecting with people who hold different perspectives can be daunting. Many of us likely experienced unease around the Thanksgiving table as we navigated conversations tainted by our differences. There can often be a preference for homogenous gatherings that reinforce our biases and conform to rigid hierarchical norms. However, if we adopt a rhizomatic approach, we may find reassurance in knowing that transformative change arises from the groundwork laid in subterranean activities. Building uncomfortable, yet essential, connections offers us opportunities for collective learning and reimagining a brighter future.
Embrace the potential for discomfort—take risks, challenge your assumptions, and seek out new connections. By doing so, you may very well be laying the foundation for a new social movement.
This article emphasizes the importance of adaptability in times of change and calls for individuals to engage with diverse perspectives as a means of fostering collective growth. It is a hopeful reminder that amidst the complexity of societal shifts, there exists an opportunity for renewed understanding and collaboration.