Ode regularly invites a well-known activist, author, thinker or entrepreneur to pen some thoughts on a topic of his or her choosing, to which you can respond. The only guidelines--be inspiring and provocative.


Let's Dance!

"If I can't dance, I don't wanna be in your revolution." That was a bumper sticker I once saw. It's true. If we, world changers, are doomed to be pessimistic and restrained, we'll never get the right energy to accomplish anything, let alone gain some critical mass. I'd rather dance. And if there will not be a revolution in the end, then, hey, at least I was having a good time while trying ... Or wait, am I too selfish here?
posted by Marco Visscher on 6/22/2007 1:57 pm | COMMENTS (2)
Comments (2)

What a cool idea....and a cool (and hot) attitude. What kind of people are you looking for, to get your project off the ground?

All the best

Uffe

posted by uffe_Elbaek on 7/ 2/2007 7:48 am

I agree. much of the greening of society is framed within the dreary context of "the sacrifices that we have to make''. Fortunately, however, when a sacrificed is made, the outcome can be more fun than before....

For various (not all altruistic) reasons our family have four bicycles instead of a car - and this has lead to several happy gains, not merely a peace of mind that many urban motorists do not share.

As i see it, A Car is A Bicycle With The Fun Removed (or at least the dancing and endorphins). While motorists are stuck imoble in their claustrophobic cages, some cyclists are enjoying a free-moving, low-impact aerobic workout (to the music soundtrack of their choice). They are grooving (swimming?) on the pedals in a harmonious, intimate engagement with (and acceptance of) the landscape and its weather. I hope I never have to go back to driving- its dislocating and boring!

My current music/video project is focused on the mindset and body moves that makes up a bicycle journey. I am writing dance music that describes it (and may accompany it).

I love so much hip-hop dance music - but the accompanying video footage so often alludes to the artist's heightened social status via driving a big hot car. This may contribute to the situation here in Aotearoa/New Zealand where bicycles are only ridden by nerds like me. Because the global dance music world is dominated by African Americans and Afro-Latinos (rightly so, IMHO). I suspect my project would benefit from video footage of Hip Africanos grooving on the pedals. Anyone know where I can find some?

I hope I can make my project 100% Love of Pedal Dancing -without needing to swipe at cars -there seem to be plenty of car-haters out there- or do you think I should loudly spell out the attitude that cars are no-longer credible status symbols? -Dave -"The Revolution Will Not Be Motorised''

posted by davegurr on 6/28/2007 7:25 pm

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Carlo Petrini
Ervin Laszlo
Elisabet Sahtouris
Claudia Hammond
Uffe Elbaek
Vandana Shiva