Stories are a kind of map. They can tell us where we’ve been, where we are, and can help us navigate an uncertain future. In recent decades, the dominant story of industrialized society has been leading humanity down a destructive path.  What other stories can we tell that will better serve as a guide? 

 

Storytelling plays an important and valuable role in making the transition to a post-peak oil culture. When applied to movements around social change, it is an important way to reach new people. 

 

Core to the Transition movement, “visioning“ is a special kind of storytelling which asks the storyteller to not just tell a compelling and convincing story, but to lay out a positive vision of what they believe will come to pass in the future. It can describe how we would spend our time, find meaningful work, and connect with our communities. It allows us to imagine a future rich with possibilities and then work to make that vision a reality. Of course, following up with action is then the next step. In looking at the visions we have created, we can then start to think about how that vision might become reality! 

 

The next time you’re hanging out with friends or family, try striking up a conversation about how they see the future without cheap oil in a future that responded responsibly to climate change. Try asking questions like “If we didn’t have cars, how would we get around? Where would we find work? What would we do for vacations?” You may get some inventive ideas!

 

(Text originally written by Kelly Smith)

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