Building community in The Attention Economy

How was your weekend? Did you recharge? Ready for the working week? 

I typically have a proper sabbath (Saturday) off the tools, and then do a bit of reflection and forward preparation on Sundays. 

This weekend was a bit different. After four weeks back on the tools every day for the first time since leaving SmartCompany at the end of November, I’m reflecting on my progress. 

I’ve launched impactable.news, attended a couple of awesome industry events – Climate Action Week Sydney and the Seagriculture Conference in Adelaide.

And as per my March 1 commitment I’ve blitzed LinkedIn. 

Sorry about that, but data shows followers typically see less than 10% of posts from those they follow, so hopefully it hasn’t been overwhelming.

Yesterday, after analysis and self-reflection on Saturday, I got outdoors for much of the day, with a morning run and a round of golf in the afternoon.

In between, my family and I were invited to the inaugural gathering of the Gardners Bay “Church”. This was a non-religious community get-together initiated by our mates Grant Gilmour, director of Beanstalk AgTech , and his wife Sophie, attended by a wonderful bunch of 30 or so local adults and children.

Grant’s “sermon” was actually an awesome demonstration of community, featuring string, adult and kid pairs, and a concrete block.

The hypothetical we are seeking to test, is that we have lost something profound in the age of The Attention Economy. When so much of our thoughts are controlled by algorithms beyond our control, when so many of us treat our devices as holy and sacred and would be lost without them advanced societies are increasingly siloed and breaking apart.

We discussed morals and ethics, broke bread, and devoured a spectacular shakshuka.

We adults recalled childhoods where we attended Sunday schools and other gatherings that fostered bonds, built rituals, and created value systems. I personally attended (Scottish Episcopalian) church most Sundays, until with teenage agency and decided I was an atheist.

I certainly don't think I was damaged by this experience. I loved mingling with the gaggles of kids, loved the communal experience of playing and singing and tea and biscuits, and must of absorbed all of the "good bits" of the Bible, as I reckon I have a pretty good moral code.

But it wasn't until my son was five and asked me what the bells ringing every Sunday were – peeling from St Mary's Catholic Cathedral less than 100m from our Woolloomooloo front door – that I realised that we were missing something from my wife and I's decision to not bring religion into our kids' lives. And that something was community.

Living in the Heavenly Huon, through school, soccer and protest, I've re-found community. And yesterday was community manifest, a proper demonstration of community building.

This week I am (finally) launching the Impact&ble podcast, chatting to Grant about Beanstalk’s mission to unlock the power of ag to be a force for good, followed by episodes featuring Charlotte Connell, Professor Tim Flannery and Roxane Bandini-Maeder .

Each episode unpacks a founder’s journey with actionable insights specifically designed to help the leaders of businesses focused on positive planetary impact. 

Overall, in April I plan to do less talking about me and those I’m meeting, and more sharing insights and strategies designed to help you.

And as part of my commitment to build in public, I’ll be reflecting on the success of this approach at the end of the month.  

How was your weekend? How’s your month been? Ready for April?

I'm excited to build a community for you, and with you!