Delvedibbers,
On Sunday morning, I was inclined to take a trip to Detroit One Coney. As I drove down the streets of Woodward, I became noticeably agitated. When asked why I was irritated, I replied, “For heaven sakes, the last time I saw this much trash on the street I was in a third world country”. Isn’t it a funny little thing that an aesthetically unappealing environment can breed strong negative energy? Furthermore, the trash in the streets leads myself to draw the axiomatic conclusion that the disposed items were no longer usable. I beg the question, what if American ingenuity could harness the ‘disposables’ to the full extent. What would an efficient society where producers worked with consumers to maximize efficiency in the sense of reducing waste look like?
Surely I have everyone on board with this notion. However, what does this actually mean? Do we need to dispel a lifestyle that is fueled by mass production?
Ok, wait, stop!
Now this is where we enter into the spider web that traps the ingenuity that lies at the core of an ‘efficient society’. We as producers and consumers need to reorient our minds. It was Albert Einstein, intuitively stated, “ We cannot solve today’s problems using the mindset that created them.” I am no Einstein, but I think it’s quite comical that we as a society build things to throw them away.
In Natural Capitalism by Paul Hawken, the author opens the book addressing a shift in paradigm that surrounds our consumerist society. He invites the reader to explore the possibility of a ‘Service and Flow Economy’. No longer would industries primary concern be the selling of products, but instead, motion for the creation of durable products via a service based industry. Many would argue that this shift would put an industry out of business. This however is combated by the emphasis on service. In a sense, he promotes a lease system where the consumer pays a fee for the use of the product. The company is liable for ensuring that the product is running smoothly. Furthermore, once the product is no longer usable it is the manufacturers who take back the parts and use it to create a better system.
By exploring the ‘Service and Flow Economy’, we as society would take a first step to eliminate waste. The paramount benefit would be the reintroduction of the creative spirit. The ability to be challenged, to take old, recycle and mold to create a better product summons innovation thus unimaginable because it as yet to be tested.
To apply the ‘Service and Flow Economy’ to our nook of the world could have various implications. I do not wish to explore what this could mean in the context of ‘The Big Three’. As far as I am concerned, addressing this issue focuses on regressive thought that has manifested itself in the evident blight that as succumbed the city. I’m inviting developers to take buildings that have withstood the test of time (even though its occupants did not) to explore the alterative uses. These alternative uses could invite entrepreneurs and artists to occupy the space and enhance the community. When population flow increases, so does commerce.
If we, Detroiters, collectively believe our city can still do what no place has ever done an attempt to beautify it is in order. I propose the increase of community gardens. The investment of a community garden has stakeholders, the residents. These holders recognize that they have ownership in their community. As a result they are more likely to maintain it. The community as a whole unites for a common interest. This commonality creates a forum where discussion can take place and ideas are exchanged.
Tyree Guyton turned the heads of the world when he took action to save The Heidelberg Neighborhood. He was able to take a neighborhood whose streets where grounds for criminal activity and transfer it to a place that awes the world. He did not start with police, not even funding, just the spirit of innovation. He took old, molded and transformed to make better.
Dare to dream…..
As always I like to leave with a few statements to tickle the mind of my readers.
1) Where as our spirit as innovators gone?
2) When we beautify our communities what does that say about ourselves?
3) Who says change comes with huge budget?
-Paula
DelveDibs 