I've been thinking about what it means to privatise and sell off. My in-laws own a farm, and the idea of privatising the farm, or selling it off, is a terrible idea to them. So I've been looking at what we've been selling off.
The dome, sold for chump change. The 407, we sold cheaply and they're making a fortune. I don't think we're good at this sell-off thing. Maintaining ownership, leasing, partnering, keeping some kind of control, is a much better idea. As my father-in-law says, try not to sell off the farm. Hold on to the land, you never know what you can grow or build.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The New Mind emerges
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." Albert Einstein
The old mind has taken us a mighty long way, from caves to condos. However, the problems of 21st century Toronto linger on: homelessness, crime, litter... no matter how much money we throw at these problems, they persist.
If you continue to do what you've always done,
You'll continue to get what you've gotten before.
You can't expect any more, too much truth to ignore.
If you're driving down the road in the same direction,
You're liable to end up where you're heading to.
You know it's true
What else can we do?
We've got to turn ourselves around
Take another point of view
Do what it takes, see what else can be found
It's really up to you
For if you go to plant corn, expect to get squash
At harvest you'll be somewhat confused
No-one here is amused
This is circular self-abuse
The old mind specialized in separation, the dominance of the left brain. We can separate everything: the atom, the DNA, nations, religions. The new mind understands that everything is interconnected, interdependent, interrelated, interesting.
There is no longer an "away" to throw anything away. They took our "away" away. Therefore, what do we do with our garbage? If there are dioxins in polar bears, none of us are immune to the contamination of the earth.
The new mind makes decisions that reflect sustainability, survivability. The new mind is an open, sharing, illuminated, creative, optimistic view of the possibilities of life.
I therefore propose that Toronto position itself as a city of the new mind, as the creativity capital of the world. That the citizens will participate in a variety of experiences that are aimed at growing our minds and envisioning the new Toronto.
"You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one...." John Lennon
The old mind has taken us a mighty long way, from caves to condos. However, the problems of 21st century Toronto linger on: homelessness, crime, litter... no matter how much money we throw at these problems, they persist.
If you continue to do what you've always done,
You'll continue to get what you've gotten before.
You can't expect any more, too much truth to ignore.
If you're driving down the road in the same direction,
You're liable to end up where you're heading to.
You know it's true
What else can we do?
We've got to turn ourselves around
Take another point of view
Do what it takes, see what else can be found
It's really up to you
For if you go to plant corn, expect to get squash
At harvest you'll be somewhat confused
No-one here is amused
This is circular self-abuse
The old mind specialized in separation, the dominance of the left brain. We can separate everything: the atom, the DNA, nations, religions. The new mind understands that everything is interconnected, interdependent, interrelated, interesting.
There is no longer an "away" to throw anything away. They took our "away" away. Therefore, what do we do with our garbage? If there are dioxins in polar bears, none of us are immune to the contamination of the earth.
The new mind makes decisions that reflect sustainability, survivability. The new mind is an open, sharing, illuminated, creative, optimistic view of the possibilities of life.
I therefore propose that Toronto position itself as a city of the new mind, as the creativity capital of the world. That the citizens will participate in a variety of experiences that are aimed at growing our minds and envisioning the new Toronto.
"You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one...." John Lennon
Friday, March 12, 2010
The sharing city
In order to share something, you've got to have something to share. In Toronto, we don't have oil or gold. But we have an unlimited and untapped resource. No, it's not a windfarm in Lake Ontario, although I think that's a good idea. It's the people who make up Toronto. The whole world has brought its culture and wisdom here, and we manage to live together more or less peaceably. That is something to be proud of and something we can share.
In contrast to New York, which is the home of the United Nations, I propose that Toronto be the home of the united cities of the world. I therefore propose the establishment of a permanent World Municipal University, as a teaching forum on how to make a great city. Using the great facilities we have in Toronto, we would help teach mayors, civic staff, urban planners, etc.
We should not only share our wisdom, we should share our wealth. I think Toronto is such a great city that it should be run as a profit-making business. Surely the entrepreneurs of Toronto can come up with a plan so that the city makes a profit and that we have enough to share with other cities.
Finally, I believe that we should issue shares in the city of Toronto. All who live, work or own businesses in Toronto should benefit from these shares. (Psst... entrepreneurs! marketing specialists! surprise me! inspire me!) If you own shares in something you may think about it and care for it a little differently.
I'm happy to share this with you... now share your thoughts with me!
human dignity human dignity human dignity human dignity human dignity human dignity human dignity
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Improve through improv: the new mind is emerging
Attention lovers of improvisation!
Old Man Improv (me) is calling on the Improv Nation (you) to rise up and come play with me as I run for Mayor of Toronto. As you know, I had the joy of creating the Canadian Improv Games more than 30 years ago and there are tens of thousands of you out there who experienced what the Improv Games are all about.
Let us improvise together, and envision the could-be Toronto. Let's gather together on April 28th, place to be determined. Let's take the Improv energy and pour it into the electoral process of Toronto.
April 28th is a symbolic 180 days until election day, October 25th. Together we can do a 180 on our thinking about our city, and co-create the future of Toronto. Everything begins in the mind: building a house, writing a song, making a meal, it all begins in the mind; let's use ours creatively.
Let's use the same skills we developed as improvisers: to co-operate, to learn, to commit ourselves to the moment, and above all to have a good time.
This is a unique moment in Toronto. We will either continue drifting in the current direction, or we will change course! I invite you to jump on board the Good Ship Improv and help us chart the voyage into the future.
Improv scenarios to think about: Imagine it's ten years from now. What's different. Make it up, and send it along. Post your responses here! if it's a video, give us a link.
Old Man Improv (me) is calling on the Improv Nation (you) to rise up and come play with me as I run for Mayor of Toronto. As you know, I had the joy of creating the Canadian Improv Games more than 30 years ago and there are tens of thousands of you out there who experienced what the Improv Games are all about.
Let us improvise together, and envision the could-be Toronto. Let's gather together on April 28th, place to be determined. Let's take the Improv energy and pour it into the electoral process of Toronto.
April 28th is a symbolic 180 days until election day, October 25th. Together we can do a 180 on our thinking about our city, and co-create the future of Toronto. Everything begins in the mind: building a house, writing a song, making a meal, it all begins in the mind; let's use ours creatively.
Let's use the same skills we developed as improvisers: to co-operate, to learn, to commit ourselves to the moment, and above all to have a good time.
This is a unique moment in Toronto. We will either continue drifting in the current direction, or we will change course! I invite you to jump on board the Good Ship Improv and help us chart the voyage into the future.
Improv scenarios to think about: Imagine it's ten years from now. What's different. Make it up, and send it along. Post your responses here! if it's a video, give us a link.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Toronto goes for the gold!
We used to be the #1 city in the world. Now we're at either #4 or #15 depending on who you ask (EIU or Mercer.) To me that suggests that we've drifted off course, and this doesn't content me. We're better than that!
Let's go for it as a city. Let's determine right here and now that we want the gold! It's not going to be easy to get there but it could be creative and fun.
So I call upon the spirit of the city: rise up, and let us go for the gold!
Wisdom Buffet
We are so blessed in Toronto. Now more than 50% of our residents can claim that they came from somewhere else in the world; me among them. They bring to Toronto an incredible array of food, fashion, culture, art, and perhaps most importantly, wisdom. And I know that no matter how smart and funny I am, it's nothing compared to what's out there. So here's my program:
First, it will be my honour as Mayor of Toronto to call upon and harvest the wisdoms of the city through Wisdom Councils. Here's the idea: "Somebody, somewhere, sometime, must have figured something out that is of use to us today." Dr. Jean Houston does similar work for the UN. Let there be Wisdom Councils throughout the city, sharing their insights on 21st century Toronto.
Second, we can chronicle and archive the wisdoms of Toronto. Danny Beaton has been recording the wisdom of the indigenous elders for years and years. He is willing to help train young filmmakers to record the wisdom traditions of their families. What a resource!
Last, let's market ourselves as a cross-cultural destination. In Toronto a visitor could try an aikido lesson, have lunch in little Italy, go to a belly-dancing workshop in the afternoon, dine on Thai food, and then catch any one of a dozen concerts. Business leaders who want to expose their employees to new ways of thinking can find them here. "Come visit the whole world, it lives in Toronto."
First, it will be my honour as Mayor of Toronto to call upon and harvest the wisdoms of the city through Wisdom Councils. Here's the idea: "Somebody, somewhere, sometime, must have figured something out that is of use to us today." Dr. Jean Houston does similar work for the UN. Let there be Wisdom Councils throughout the city, sharing their insights on 21st century Toronto.
Second, we can chronicle and archive the wisdoms of Toronto. Danny Beaton has been recording the wisdom of the indigenous elders for years and years. He is willing to help train young filmmakers to record the wisdom traditions of their families. What a resource!
Last, let's market ourselves as a cross-cultural destination. In Toronto a visitor could try an aikido lesson, have lunch in little Italy, go to a belly-dancing workshop in the afternoon, dine on Thai food, and then catch any one of a dozen concerts. Business leaders who want to expose their employees to new ways of thinking can find them here. "Come visit the whole world, it lives in Toronto."
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