Monkey Wrenches
Introduction
Activate Us (the publisher of this book) is a group of people who work to Release More of Humanity’s Potential. We are average people of modest means who recognise, that while society is clearly far from running at peak potential, at this pivotal time in history there is also a unique opportunity to make a difference in the world and for generations to come.
At the core of our work is The Bridge – a theoretical model of society that combines financial economics, community collaboration and personal development onto a single platform; one with the real possibility of realizing a human society of sovereignty and abundance.
Currently, society uses a finance based system, which, as we all know, has become corrupt and broken beyond repair. The Bridge accepts this as our starting point and, rather than constiplaining about it or offering rhetorical “solutions”, The Bridge is a viable, practical pathway to a place where all of our favourite forward thinking societal systems – like Ubuntu One Small Town, The Venus Project and many others – can finally take root, at which point The Bridge will have accomplished it’s goal and will no longer be necessary (or relevant for that matter). We think of The Bridge as an “Upgrade to Society’s Operating System”.
The theory of The Bridge works perfectly … on paper. And since we are a group who prefers the “follow us” method of leadership rather than the “go try my great idea” method, we decided to put our time where our mouths were by running various business projects as means to prove (or disprove) the theory.
Our first project is called Skid Markz; reclaiming wood pallets and repurposing them into useful products for home and office. We chose this business as our first “test” project because it incorporates all features of The Bridge, allowing us to practice them. We often say “The Bridge is what we’re doing; Skid Markz is just how we do it”.
One interesting point to note, is during the development of Skid Markz we realised additional social, environmental, financial and personal benefits emerging as side effects, not deliberately intended for in the business plan. It would seem likely that other people who start businesses using The Bridge will also encounter similar side benefits, simply because those who would be inclined to adopt a more conscious practice like The Bridge would likely also have a socially and environmentally responsible mindset, instinctively incorporating their values into their projects.
The Bridge model itself wasn’t necessarily designed to attract awakened personalities; that too has happened as a side benefit. But if I was to go out on a limb, chances are if you’re reading this book, you too have a somewhat holistic view of society and our natural world and may very well appreciate The Bridge.
Other projects we’ve started to date: a Print-on-Demand novelty business called AUM (Activate Us Merchandise) featuring empowering and thought provoking designs printed on mugs, note books, magnets, clothing and a variety of other products, all of which we keep as eco-friendly as possible.
We have a Training Workbook that helps others identify prominent features of The Bridge and begin connecting dots as one learns the theory. Accompanying that instruction is a community called The B-Team where those who are proverbially “crossing” The Bridge can bounce ideas around, share progress and missteps and generally support one another in real time as we write society’s next chapter together.
And if you’re curious how Monkey Wrenches supports this transition, that’s easy; all any of us have ever known is to compete with our neighbors and accumulate as much individual financial and material wealth as possible. That’s the story we’ve been sold. But The Bridge is a very different way of approaching society, using collaboration and personal development as foundational principles. This outlook toward society conflicts with “old paradigm” thinking and Monkey Wrenches is meant to be disruptive enough to dislodge our ingrained thought patterns making room for naturally emerging ones more in line with societal evolution. And of course it is also a revenue source for us to continue our work.
Each one of our business projects not only finance our work, they also practice what we preach by putting the principles of The Bridge into action, and at projects that help Release More of Humanity’s Potential.
It really is amazing how many people are ready for a paradigm shift. It’s becoming tougher and tougher to find even sceptics of change let alone opponents of it. It seems this outgoing stage of society has run its course and we humans are naturally evolving our systems along with ourselves. We hope Monkey Wrenches and our work with The Bridge will inspire you to explore what is possible and perhaps even join us on the journey.
And with that, we thank you for being curious and leave you with a few suggestions of how you might get the most out of this book:
Conversation Starters – share quotes over dinner with friends and family. You never know what thoughtful, inspiring exchanges may arise.
Quote-a-Day – spend time pondering or journaling a quote at the start or end of your day.
Social Media posts – see who else may be travelling your wavelength.
Start a discussion group to reflect upon these ideas.
Use another’s voice to share how you feel – some quotes can be used to convey an important point if your own words are illusive.
Share with others who may not fully grasp the journey you are on.
Workplace thought of the week – definitely a unique teambuilding initiative.
Dinnertime Topics – engage your children with fresh perspectives as an alternative to television or textbook data recall.
Road Trip Banter – a perfect time for your mind to ponder while distracted just enough by the passing scenery.
Incorporate into schooling – institutional or home-schooling teachers might use some of these ideas as a tool to encourage critical thinking, debate, or inner work.
Connect with us – many ideas in this book, as well as additional ones, are expanded upon on Activate Us’ blog and various digital platforms. Details can be found at the end of this book.
So Long Old Paradigm…
You know that point in a relationship when trust has been lost? One, or both, parties have been inauthentic for long enough that the connection between them becomes severed. Once trust is gone nothing the other person says or does holds much value and it’s hard, impossible, to come back from.
That’s how I feel about the circus we see played out in the world today, particularly by media, government, corporations and the elite. This is my message to this outgoing paradigm …
“For decades I stuck with you and gave you the benefit of the doubt that you might be telling the truth and perhaps even acting in my best interest. But the corruption and contradictions you’re spewing into society is over the top. And now your rampant censorship, intimidation and gas lighting; you’ve pushed too far, you’ve abused my trust, and I’m done.
I know it’s partly my fault for letting it get to this but you had a responsibility too. It’s at the point now where you’re no longer creating an environment where I can be my best me. You are stifling, limiting and controlling. And quite frankly, you’re acting like a spoiled selfish child who needs supervision. I can’t follow someone who isn’t growing with the rest of us.
It used to be said the opposite of love is hate. It isn’t. The opposite of love is indifference. I don’t know if what you say is truth or lies anymore. And honestly I don’t care. If you feel you need to continue to manage and manipulate and pull strings to make yourself feel important, fine. But find someone else who will participate in your games. Nothing you say registers with me anymore … You can beg, plead and shout all you want. I understand this is hard for you to take. But it’s too late, I’m already gone. My loyalties are now with myself, my neighbors, friends and family and humanity as a whole. People, not you.
I’m sorry Old Paradigm. We had a lot of fun together and I wish you could change with the rest of us, I really do. But I know you can’t, and you’ve just pushed too far. I’ve moved on. We’ve all moved on. I’m staying at a friend’s tonight. I’ll pick up my things next week”.
I think most people intuitively know society is shifting. But on a practical level, since all we’ve ever known is the old, something new can be difficult to wrap one’s head around. Especially since we’re on the front lines of creating it as we speak (and read!). This is where Monkey Wrenches comes in. It is meant to disrupt conventional ways of thinking so as to make room for new ones.
By purchasing Monkey Wrenches you are financially supporting all of the other projects Activate Us does to help bring in this new paradigm, such as Skid Markz, The B-Team community our Training Programs,AUM and others to come.
By reading, sharing and discussing Monkey Wrenches you are directly participating in “upgrading society’s operating system” through your own personal growth and by simply questioning the systems of old.
We’re all in this together and on behalf of the next generation we thank you for giving everyone a chance at something better.
… Hello New!
When I was a wilderness guide, the beginning of all instruction (to adults in particular) was to have them “un-learn” all the techniques they had previously accumulated which may hinder their skills and keep them from performing safely and efficiently.
You could call this book my attempt at applying the same “un-learning” principle as a way to help human civilisation grow from a fresh perspective.
Some ideas within these pages you may disagree with; some may resonate deep within your soul; some may not even make sense. However, one thing I’ve noticed, having gathered these concepts over a number of years, is that my interpretation of them shifts. As my personal awareness changes and new information comes into focus, new connections are made and old ones are discarded, creating an ever-changing tapestry of how I perceive the world. At first I found this challenging of beliefs difficult to accept until I realised it was just me evolving. Once I loosened my grip on what I once thought was ultimate reality it was much easier to allow myself into the flow.
As Socrates said: "True knowledge exists only in the knowledge that you know nothing”. It is my hope that by the end of this book, and after subsequent readings, all of us will have shifted our perspectives sufficiently that we become a little closer to where Socrates was talking about.
And remember, “With intellect decipher words, with intuition decipher meaning”. Enjoy!
Monkey Wrenches
Purchase a print copy of Monkey Wrenches from the Lulu print-on-demand bookstore.