tl;dr

As someone who spends a lot of time thinking about systems and people, community is a sweet spot for me.

Here are things I look for in a new community, and that I work to foster in my own–

Play is invaluable

Play is not silly or not a waste of time, it is the creative engine! Rest is part of the process. Laziness does not exist.

01

Binaries are limiting

Black and white thinking is rigid and often results in fracture. Very few things are ‘good/bad’ or ‘right/wrong’ and unnecessary moralizing is a distraction from The Work. Adaptability can be initially disorienting but, ultimately, generative.

05

Reciprocity in all relationships: self, community, planet

Reciprocity will always ebb and flow depending on resources, but it is a constant thread. It is a promise we make to honor the relationships that sustain us.

04

Understanding over urgency

Tech’s obsession with speed at any/all cost, and capitalism’s heavy reliance on false urgency hurts both people and the products they rely on. Where urgency punishes mistakes–making people, relationships and products disposable– understanding welcomes them as a tool for learning and longevity.

02

Accessibility is foundational

The things we make either create/reinforce, or remove, barriers and biases. It is the designer’s responsibility to learn, use, and share accessibility best practices– especially those created by the disabled and mad communities. The things we make cannot be joyful, useful, or relied upon, if they are not also accessible.

03