Thrumming the Web of Influence
There’s a constant argument going on in my head. It’s between the voice that says I want to find ways to help make the world a better place, and the voice that says there’s nothing you can do that will make a difference. It causes a kind of paralysis that infuriates the hell out of me.
Yet recent world events have shaken something loose. I’ve begun to see the patterns and interconnectedness of our world.
Think of the visceral reaction caused by George Floyd’s death, and the widespread movement for social reform to support racial equity and justice that has followed in its wake. Think of the Arab Spring.
The difficulty is that it’s impossible to foresee or control what will trigger these shifts for positive social reform and when they will happen. On the face of it, we appear to be at the whim of a toppling set of dominoes, or the flap of a butterfly’s wing, which may or may not propel us to a tipping point for change. And when it does happen, sadly tragedy often seems to be the ignition factor. It’s a stark reminder that control is an illusion in such a dynamic system.
So rather than seeking out, or lamenting the lack of, positional power as a way to get things done, wouldn’t it be more useful to cultivate constructive personal attributes that can help us influence positive change wherever possible? What about deliberately and formally teaching ourselves and our children the ability to see other perspectives, to listen, to understand the power of compassion and empathy, to follow a purpose?
The Tale of a Clever Spider
How we can begin to influence change though, is tied to understanding the characteristics of a whole system. A spider’s web, aside from being a feat of engineering, provides an elegant and tangible representation of what I mean.
A fly landing on a thread, sets off a vibration that is felt across the entire structure alerting the spider to either a potential opportunity or disruption — threat or feast. In this analogy, we are the spiders sensing the thrum in our global web.
But, let’s take the spider’s web imagery further — this time, using a story you may have read: Charlotte’s Web.
For those who don’t know it, Charlotte is a spider who befriends a pig, Wilbur, who is about to be sold for slaughter. In an effort to influence Wilbur’s fate, she begins spinning words into her web that suggest that the pig is special, beginning with the phrase “some pig.”
People flock to see this phenomenon. Charlotte keeps producing flattering web words until, eventually, the farmer changes his mind and decides to keep Wilbur, who has become quite famous.
Charlotte’s Web illustrates how an interconnected system (Charlotte and her web), activated by a strong sense of purpose (saving Wilbur), can affect change.
Charlotte’s stays true to her purpose, adapting her actions through the power of instant feedback (the farmer and the people who visit), and the book’s ending is optimistically regenerative (Charlotte’s offspring).
Charlotte’s Web is a beautiful depiction of the flow or “personality” of a whole system at work and “how” we can influence change from within.
Societal systems in the real-world function in the same way as a web. We experience sticking points, roadblocks, and challenges, but with a strong and true purpose and by utilising intrinsic feedback process, the system will be responsive to our influence.
The prevalence and speed of digital communication has heightened this feedback component. Voices that strike a chord are amplified instantaneously, creating a powerful echo cave. Often, we receive live news from social media platforms before they even make it to a credible news outlet. This means we have more access than ever to our broader ecosystem.
The more energised and reactive the feedback loop in a system is, the more opportunities there are for us to become influencers. But it also means we need to realign with our personal purpose more frequently, so we don’t get fragmented by the noise and distraction.
We can be the ones creating the ripple in the pond. We can make a difference. Even if it begins as a small one.
And as Charlotte said to Wilbur…
You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. After all, what’s a life anyway? We’re born, we live a little, we die. By helping you, perhaps I was lifting up my life a trifle. Heaven knows, any one’s life can stand a little of that.
- **with thanks to Joc Hanna for her input into the first incarnation of this piece
