Seeds Series Overview

Every seed contains within it a genetic code (a “blueprint” if you will, but one produced by nature) mapping out its unfolding. And, importantly, all seeds also adapt to their ecological circumstances — the soil in which they land, the climate of the region, etc. And while seeds propagate on their own in nature, humans also plant seeds – in both  literal ways (as gardeners, farmers, and lovers) and in metaphorical ways, as in “plant the seed” of an idea…

It is in this spirit that r3.0 introduces its Second Generation of Knowledge Commons development and co-creation – our Seeds Series. This body of work builds on our First Generation Knowledge Commons (consisting of 9 Blueprints and other materials. We reframe from Blueprintsto Seeds to shift from a more reductionist to a more organic term. We also transition from traditional “desk” research to more relational research, centering an interview format. And finally, we reorient from lengthy, in-depth reports to shorter, more accessible documents. 

At the same time, we retain our time-tested Due Process of gathering a Working Group of 20-40 practitioners to provide critical feedback and support the research and drafting process.

We roll out the Seeds Series with a First Volume focused the fundamental flaws of predominant economic systems and the cultures scaffolding them, with subsequent Volumes focusing on the fundamental imperatives of regenerative economies and cultures, and necessary elements of just transitions to regenerative economies & cultures. A final Volume in this first iteration of the Seeds Series focuses on the role of bioregions in transforming to regenerative economies and cultures.

Seeds Series Volume 1 – Our Predicament: The Fundamental Flaws of Predominant Economic Systems — the Cultures Scaffolding Them

Humanity faces an existential predicament. Navigating through it requires understanding its causes – the fundamental systemic flaws, if you will – as clearly as possible. And then, pursuing paths in different directions.  This inaugural Volume in the new r3.0 Seeds Series seeks clarity on these fundamental flaws – particularly with our predominant economic systems, and the cultures scaffolding them – as a foundation for navigating elsewhere (which we explore in subsequent Volumes).

Seeds Series Volume 2 – Unmaking & Remaking at the Edge of Dissolution: A Meta-Conversation on Re-Patterning for Just Transitions to Regenerative Economics & Cultures

Volume 2 of the Seeds Series synthesizes perspectives from ~20 prominent thinkers & doers (see Interviewee list below) on the last 2 of the 3 standard questions we posed:

• What are the 3-5 fundamental imperatives of regenerative economies & cultures?
• What are the 3-5 necessary elements of just transitions to regenerative economies & cultures?

This synthesis generates a meta-conversation amongst the Interviewees, as we cluster their responses into 8 common themes in the Aligned Findings section, and 3 Idiosyncratic Analyses.

You can preview the ~4-page Executive Summary here.

Seeds Volume 3 will focus on Bioregional Economies and Cultures, drawing on both a 4th question we posed to many of the Interviewees, and we will also conduct an additional round of interviews to hone in specifically on this place-based context. 

Lead Authors

Interviewees

All interviews available on our Vimeo page.

Working Group Members

Project Sponsors