On the topic of what’s UNREASONABLE in the world, Seth started a useful list here … Andy built on the list here … and I am continuing the trend here.

I don’t agree with any of these statements (of course!) and their impact is in the gut reaction they evoke. I think there is a workshop activity in this … small groups crafting ‘unreasonable’ statements to unnerve and disrupt the status quo in their world.

My List – inspired, in part, by the things that I notice that leave me asking “Why!?!”

It’s unreasonable to expect government agencies to launch a community engagement process that leads to completely new ways of doing business and that seeks to transform stakeholders to co-creators – inspired by Chris Corrigan’s thought on Participatory Engagement (which are of course in favour of new ways and transformation!)

It’s unreasonable to expect ordinary people to share/rent/give-away their unused/unwanted material possessions with other people who need them – inspired by the Gift Economy and by the need to ‘share more’ to create a sustainable planet and connected communities

It’s unreasonable to enter into a conversation with a complete willingness to emerge a slightly different person – inspired by a quote by Theodore Zeldin

It’s unreasonable to think that government institutions would provide their staff with unlimited access to the online knowledge, networks, tools and learning communities that exist on today’s internet – inspired by my exasperated response when I hear staff tell me … “Can you send me that video on CD because we can’t access YouTube here at work” 

It’s unreasonable for teachers to accept offers of classroom help by their student’s parents who are passionate about the learning of children – no need to explain this one!

Here’s Andy Middleton’s list:

It’s unreasonable to build the solutions to what’s needed for a healthy planet into every business decision you make.

It’s unreasonable to only set goals that are good enough to get us where we’re trying to go, rather than just nudge us forward from the present.

Here’s Seth’s list:

It’s unreasonable to get out of bed on a snow day, when school has been cancelled, and turn the downtime into six hours of work on an extra credit physics lab.

It’s unreasonable to launch a technology product that jumps the development curve by nine months, bringing the next generation out much earlier than more reasonable competitors.

It’s unreasonable for a trucking company to answer the phone on the first ring.

It’s unreasonable to start a new company without the reassurance venture money can bring.

It’s unreasonable to expect a doctor’s office to have a pleasant and helpful front desk staff.

It’s unreasonable to walk away from a good gig in today’s economy, even if you want to do something brave and original.

It’s unreasonable for teachers to expect that we can enable disadvantaged inner city kids to do well in high school.

It’s unreasonable to treat your colleagues and competitors with respect given the pressure you’re under.

It’s unreasonable to expect that anyone but a great woman, someone with both drive and advantages, could do anything important in a world where the deck is stacked against ordinary folks.

It’s unreasonable to devote years of your life making a product that most people will never appreciate.

Fortunately, the world is filled with unreasonable people. Unfortunately, you need to compete with them.