When envisioning civil society as a living organism, one might expect its natural response to be a return to a previously stable state. Yet, in the natural world, many organisms thrive by adapting to new realities, ensuring their survival. Our society too must embrace and foster social change to advance democracy into a new era. This can be achieved by stepping back, forging new relationships, and promoting understanding across various divides, enabling collaborative change.
I study change processes within transformative learning networks, which serve as loosely connected social groups emphasizing learning from diverse perspectives. Those involved in these networks willingly disrupt their usual social patterns, seeking to build relationships and foster understanding across ideological, institutional, and geographic divides. Such networks can pave the way for new professional domains, innovative ideas, and even entirely new organizations. A pertinent example is the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, which originated from individuals with different backgrounds who aimed to build resilience against wildfires, despite their varied approaches. Recognizing that wildfire management requires multifaceted strategies, they merged their experiences to generate innovative solutions.
The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus famously said, “the only constant in life is change.” Similarly, Martin Luther King Jr. remarked, “change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” While human communities have evolved to resist and ignore change—evident in our collective tendency to overlook climate change—we often only confront the results of our inaction when faced with unprecedented new realities.
Nature provides a unique metaphor for these challenges through rhizomes. When we think of rhizomes, both invasive weeds and attractive plants come to mind, existing largely below the surface. Rhizomes lack a fixed structure, thriving underground as they branch out and expand their networks, sometimes surprising us with vibrant forms above ground that had flourished while we were unaware.
Most of the rhizome’s activity is hidden, gathering energy and expanding until it is ready to reveal itself in full bloom. This botanical metaphor, as explored by philosophers such as Deleuze and Guattari, highlights the complexities of social change as non-linear, heterogeneous, and decentralized.
The rhizome metaphor underscores that we cannot simply revert to traditional hierarchical structures for generating change. Instead, we must delve deeper, forming our own learning networks, breaking down barriers, and establishing new connections. Engaging in civic life and learning from those across the social and political spectrum will allow us to reshape our understanding of future possibilities, ultimately helping us unite for a new collective emergence.
Although connecting across differences can be daunting — as evident during recent Thanksgiving gatherings — it is crucial for driving change. Our instinct might be to seek comfort in familiar, homogenous settings that reinforce our biases. However, embracing a rhizomatic perspective encourages us to acknowledge that change manifests through underlying activity and that meaningful connections, even when uncomfortable, are essential for collective progress.
Taking risks, being disruptive, and engaging with those who challenge your views can lead to remarkable outcomes. You might find yourself on the brink of igniting a new social movement that can significantly influence our future.
In conclusion, as we navigate the complexity of societal evolution, let’s embrace change, seek diverse connections, and work together toward innovative solutions that build a more resilient and inclusive future for all.