Daring Messages

Each of the Deep Root Center Social Media graphics this week has begun with the words, "Dare to" followed by actions that, unfortunately, in today's culture, need to lead with that verbal challenge.  Dare to - color outside the lines, use your imagination, dream, make mistakes, fail, be disappointed, and the one that has not posted yet, "Dare to embrace and celebrate your flawed, yet amazingly, awesome authentic self."

Most of us are afraid to imagine contemplating doing any of those things - let alone, actually, do them.  We have all learned that fitting in is the standard to which we will be judged - every damn time.  And as a result, creativity has been the collateral paid to achieve our collective insipidness.   

We have developed a culture, tethered by the fear of failure, where very few are willing to take the deep plunge into the boundless world of innovative problem-solving - because, instead of honoring mistakes and framing them as an opportunity for real learning, we chastise and punish.  

The inspiring Sir Ken Robinson, who sadly passed away this weekend, framed this modern educational (and now cultural) shortcoming, beautifully, in his now, infamous, 2006 TED Talk entitled, "Do Schools Kill Creativity?" 

One of his main points, in both his speech and his book of the same title, is that "children have an extraordinary capacity for innovation - that all kids have tremendous talents, and we squander them, pretty ruthlessly."  R.I.P. - Sir Ken. Your gentle humor and unconventional ideas about the future of education will be greatly missed.

In case you have not noticed, the only way the human species is going to survive is if the dare-devils, the ingenious problem-solvers, generate innovative ideas to solve the mess we have created. These are the folks who are unafraid to step outside the box, challenge the status quo, and ignore the naysayers.  No!  Not to produce more conspiracy theories, by actively seeking out conclusions that match their notions.  But, to diligently work through experimentation and analysis of their ideas, within the scientific method, with openness and willingness to share their process and results (both positive and negative) with their scientific peers and the broader community, with the understanding that they may, very well, be wrong.  The vital piece, within this entire scenario, is their enthusiasm for re-framing the original question to accommodate the knowledge gained from their "failed" attempt(s).

DRC News

Thank you!
An enormous thank you to Dave Schryver for donating the time (design), materials, skills, and labor to build this lean-to in the DRC backyard.  It will keep us (and our projects) sheltered this fall.   

We are extremely grateful for all the folks who came out, yesterday, to help build it, clean-up the yard (cut some tree branches), and sort out and clean the garage.  Thanks to Zoe Schryver and fam, Branden and Brayden F., Derek S., Mike C., Bill H., and Liberty S. 

Race To Nowhere - Film

This is an amazing opportunity to watch this acclaimed film from ten years ago that seems more relevant than ever, and to hear from the director.  Follow this link to register (by donation) -  watch the film at your leisure, and then join us on Thursday, August 27th, at 7 pm for a virtual panel that includes the film's director.