Building Interlocking Networks for Community Transformation

[rick smyre]

In July 2008, Dave Baldwin from Ohio, Larry Wenzl from Nebraska, and I spoke at the World Future Society Conference in Washington, D.C., and introduced the concept of using the virtual world, Second Life, as one way to build connections among people interested in seeding transformative ideas for the 21st century. We were very pleased with the response, and have since used Second Life as a key platform to have local citizens begin to imagine a future that is not in their traditional thinking or experience.

Another successful interlocking network is the new Global Rural Network (www.grnp.org) that is focused on connecting rural leaders from different states and countries to help create a culture in local areas that will support continuous innovation. This idea emerged from dialogue that I had with Robin Pulver, immediage past vp of the NC Rural Center. We are very pleased with the early emergence of new ideas that will help prepare rural areas for a differnet kind of future that will be constantly changing.

In 2009, an interlocking network of chamber of commerce executives will be initiated nationally in the U.S. for those interested in helping to develop capacities for transformation in their local communities.

Would like to know about how other people and organizations area beginning to use the concept of "interlocking networks" as a new method to organize society and an emerging Creative Molecular Economy that will be based on global innovation networks.