Reboot-ing Alberta: an exercise in hope

I last blogged on why I was going to Reboot Alberta.
I returned from Reboot Alberta with many images and thoughts in my mind, but all focused around one idea: “the politics of hope”. When over 85 people come together, diverse in age, interest and political stripes for a common conversation, hope is both a motivator and greater reason to hope a product. Many people know Alex Steffen’s 2008 article, The Politics of Optimism, but for those who don’t, here is a key extract:

“Optimism is a political act.
Entrenched interests use despair, confusion and apathy to prevent change. They encourage modes of thinking which lead us to believe that problems are insolvable, that nothing we do can matter, that the issue is too complex to present even the opportunity for change.

Optimism, by contrast, especially optimism which is neither foolish nor silent, can be revolutionary. Where no one believes in a better future, despair is a logical choice, and people in despair almost never change anything. Where no one believes a better solution is possible, those benefiting from the continuation of a problem are safe. Where no one believes in the possibility of action, apathy becomes an insurmountable obstacle to reform. “

To me, Reboot Alberta was about discussing the possible, affirming that there are better solutions and a brighter future and that we are prepared to pursue both. Much has been written already about the tenor and content of discussions, some of the possible paths for action. So I want to leave the one image that this event summoned for me – a demonstration of and the perpetuation of hope – a political act. To join us in that act, join in at RebootAlberta.org