The Patterning of Hope

One way to develop an understanding of patterns is by bringing both structures and flows into view. Structures are the stable things that configure flows – we see these easily. Flows are the processes that sustain those structures and change them over time – these are often less easy to see. In this bonus episode Bill shares a simple exercise for attuning to the structures and flows around you, called ‘holism with focus’.For this exercise you’ll need at least 30 minutes, a pencil and paper, and somewhere outside where you can sit and draw a building or structure. 

How does a tree become a tree? How did the internet become the internet? How does seeing in patterns help us effect change? In this second episode in The Patterning of Hope series, Bill and Yasu dive into the world of ‘structures and flows’, a core practice of seeing the world through a lens of interconnectedness. 

In episode one we introduced Three Horizons, which is the foundation for all the practices we’ll be discussing. So, if you haven’t already become familiar with it, take a little time to skip back and listen or watch the video introduction to Three Horizons which you can find in the show notes of episode one.In this bonus episode Bill leads a simple exercise to help you identify the three horizons and their voices in your own life. As you listen you may wish to ‘pause’ the recording at different moments. 

Welcome to this eight-part series, where you’re invited into the study of futures practitioner Bill Sharpe in conversation with his friend and mentee, Yasu Mali. In this episode we talk about why we created this series, we give a brief introduction to the Three Horizons framework including understanding the voices of the Three Horizons, and what we mean by H2+ and H2-. Bill also shares his third horizon vision for Three horizons as a shared cultural practice and what we mean by the patterning of hope.Useful linksFuture Stewards website: www.futurestewards.com with links to many other resourcesVideo intro to Three Horizons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p90ZTg0svmM&t=2sVideo of Three Horizon Voices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1fUvIu0sYA&t=2sThree Horizons: the patterning of hope, Bill Sharpe https://www.triarchypress.net/three-horizons.htmlCurry, A. & Hodgson, A., Seeing in Multiple Horizons: Connecting Futures to Strategy, Journal of Futures Studies, Vol13 No. 1, Aug 2008. https://jfsdigital.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/131-A01.pdfSharpe, B., A. Hodgson, G. Leicester, A. Lyon, I. Fazey, I (2016). Three Horizons: a pathways practice for transformation, Ecology and Society 21(2):47. http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-08388-210247