By Dr May Chi – Clinical Psychologist
“I’ve got an idea!”
Tanya has that trademark maniacal gleam in her eyes again. It’s the look she gets when she’s swimming up that rainbow of higher purpose. Nothing will get in her way. I doubt it’s turbulence-free. This path involves harnessing a volunteer workforce, implementing world-class social initiatives, and insisting on first-class hospitality for disadvantaged groups. And yet, she’s at it again.
When Tanya has an idea, it’s not just an idea; it’s part of the larger picture.
At every level of life, organisms come together in complex adaptive systems. For example, bees work together for the colony’s survival. Each individual in that system has their own different strengths and needs. A queen bee is very different from a worker bee. And yet, both have strengths and depend on each other to continue the hive. Families, schools, workplaces, and hobby groups are examples of how we come together in systems.
These systems work well when there is a shared purpose or goal that everyone in the system works towards. This focus on shared purpose is called ‘collective interest’ or ‘collective adaptability’. Collective interest is not the opposite of self-interest. Both are needed in complex adaptive systems. For example, throughout the family lifecycle, the needs of a growing child may shift from ‘doing for’ to ‘doing with’. Helping children meet their need to contribute ideas and industry to the family unit is helpful to all.
Seeing this larger picture is the key to linking self and community interest.
Unlike Tanya, I am not a rainbow person. I don’t like swimming if I can’t see or touch the bottom. I am methodical and sceptical every time.
“Ok.” I take a deep breath and gird myself. “What’s this idea?”
Tanya and I agree that no idea or action is truly unique. We are a part of a long line of dreamers, scientists, and innovators.
In some ways, this is reassuring. It means that the blueprint for the next amazing project likely already exists. It means we can learn from each other’s successes and failures to chart the best path forward. It means that there are many possible moments that have happened, are happening, and will happen, in the service of collective adaptability.
In some ways, it’s humbling. It means that it is possible for anyone, at any moment, to swim up that rainbow. Tanya would not describe herself as a unicorn. She has literally said the words ‘I’m nothing special.’ I understand this sentiment. If someone’s actions are ascribed to their special-sauce quality, then we peons without this quality can be excused from grappling with the universe.
And in many ways, it’s challenging, because if there’s no unique specialness to ideas and the implementation thereof, this means that you or I have full permission to maniacally and methodically contribute to our communities.
Tanya shares the ideas. It’s Reading Bears. It’s dinners for people who have newly arrived in the region. It’s a space to incubate youth leadership. It’s a whole month of dreaming. Even my sceptical self has to acknowledge that we are all already part of this bigger picture.
Time to start swimming up that rainbow.