Jack/Zen
A zen perspective on how we think about the future
Jack Ricchiuto is a nationally acclaimed designer and author of 9 books. His website is DesigningLife.com
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John Wayne's Teeth
The brilliant writer and film maker Sherman Alexie's film, Smoke Signals, features a short chant that goes:
John Wayne's teeth,
Are they false, are they real?
Are they plastic, are they steel?
It is an inquiry into the authenticity of multiple myths, not the least of which addresses the monolithic heroism of the famous film star where, uncannily, "the cowboys always win."
More and more communities are wisely and thankfully losing faith in the silver bullet solution of the "hero", whether locally or non-locally originated, who will "save" people from their collective deficiencies. These are the communities where authentic heroes have one message to the people in the community: "When you're wondering where the leader is on this (name an issue), pick up a mirror."
In all of the communities I'm working with around the country more and more people get that leader is convener of new conversations. Period.
Comments (5)
you are very correct about the Myth of heros, and the mirror. We need to be our own hero, take action, and get things done.
the other message in the movie is to NOT take ourselves too seriously.
http://bit.ly/CG7Nr (clip on youtube from the movie)
It's Indian humor, ya know. and even though our "stoic looks" will work most of the time, we also know how to make fun and laugh a lot.
robert and marti.
Adam's sidekick, Thomas Builds The Fire is a STORY TELLER of enormous proportions. (constant), and Victor (Adam) learns from that. His tories are part real, part drama, but all about messages.
Stories are at the central point of culture. We need to tell them to connect. We need to live them to survive.
http://bit.ly/aKWA1P
http://bit.ly/avDKjy
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