A strange phenomenon… when I go on Youth Focus camps and spend time with young people – one thing strikes me everytime. 20-25 young individuals arrive to spend a weekend together and often there’s only one thing they have in common – they’re all different. That ‘difference’ too, seems to be the carrier of loneliness, the feeling of disconnection and lack of sense of place in the world. But, over the space of a weekend, that very difference is what unites and strengthens them. Why? Because, unlike the world outside the camp environment, difference is valued and accepted there. So it’s safe to reveal their true selves, however strange, weird and unacceptable that might be to the outside world. And they are safe also to try on new ways of being without judgement and criticism. And it always makes me wonder … what if being different meant you’d never be alone again….what if society valued and appreciated difference as opposed to casting aside those who don’t fit the mould.
What if individual flags were flown in the face of the ‘one size fits all’ (we know it doesn’t). Wouldn’t the world be a far more interesting (and safer) place to be …. pass it on or click on the typewriter for a Clunk & Jam note you can print and stick somewhere to get others thinking about this strange phenomenon- and perhaps make some strange difference to the world….
Drawings by Ann James found in an old school magazine called ‘Blast Off’.
“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes, the ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them, because they change things, they push the human race forward.”
Early Apple ad, as crafted by the late Steve Jobs, referenced at his October memorial service (found in Financial Review’s Boss magazine. Image from book ‘World of Wonder’ – recognise the guy in the tights?) Another one from Steve Jobs here. And movie , Pay It Forward about a boy with a great global idea here. The Gruen Transfer article is for thinkers too - here.
Click on the typewriter for your Clunk and Jam print and stick on noticeboards, walls, classroom doors etc to shine a different light on those who are often deemed ‘crazy’ (among other things) just because they’re different -and to champion for all the thinkers out there. Pass it on…
Found this Shaun Tan card in a book shop and thought it was a good picture to keep in mind for those not so good days – and moments of self doubt. My interpretation? I imagine when my head is too full or messy, calling on Smart Rabbit to open a hatch – upstairs. Either flushing out all that’s stale and no longer useful – or to top it up with some good juice. And just like fueling a car at the petrol bowser, you have to STOP and turn everything else off to do this. So it’s also about consciousness for me too. And stopping. Click on the typewriter to print. Now hop along and pass Smart Rabbit on to your friends…and check out Shaun’s Mr Strawberry too.
Visited MONA (Museium of Old and New Art) in Tasmania. Took these pics of some favourites that fed my interest in identity (didn’t record the artists though).
Look carefully at this one – many ID’s overlapping and if you think you recognise someone famous, no, apparently the faces are all ‘unknowns’.
Expect the unexpected and unaccepted when visiting MONA – quite a mind altering, utterly unforgettable experience.
October 21, 2011 - Feed Me
Found in ‘Adbusters Australia’ Journal of The Mental Environment #96.Sept/Oct 2011. Image title ‘Cocoa Puffs’ (Lee Price).
