what is it? how do we do it?

The idea here is of somehow better drawing out our community and cultural creativity in the way that we meet as citizens, as activists, as legislators and simply as PEOPLE. How can we play more (innovate) in the ways that we communicate and dialogue who we are and what it is that we may be able to contribute to this city in which we live? I'd like to experiment with our assumptions of who we think we are are, creating the environment in which to do this... exploring, discovering 'places' both in our neighborhoods and at City Hall.

The idea is called Improvising Democracy...

How do ordinary people get inspired to engage in public life, in the democratic process? Is there a way to help the people inhabiting the neighborhoods and streets of this city (of Seattle) to feel that they do indeed have a stake in the future of this place? Encourage them to dream, to imagine a new reality? To take an idea and believe in it enough to take an action however small? How can we make this easier for them to do, simpler for each of us to be able to find that heart, that faith in a vision and end up making some difference?

When the whole process of democracy gets too overwhelming, too complex to somehow engage in or even relate to then it's time to try out something new, time to innovate somehow...even to improvise a bit here and there...and maybe even a lot! To try SOMETHING we must! It often takes a bit of trying something out, a lot of mistakes before 'something' eventually works. We can take the cue from children. They do eventually turn into adults, but play at it a lot before getting there. We can't afford to stop playing now. But we'll need more spaces than just that waterfall and pool at City Hall to play and splash around in if we're to somehow come together to create the future in this new world that's constantly desiring to come alive within us...