Change Clarissa Krajewski
Learning about the book Massive Change, and shortly after, hearing Bruce Mau in person really affected me. The first day in class the book was introduced, I was a little intimidated by its overall thick and colorful appearance. During class that day, instead of researching about Massive Change online, I stayed in the class room, read a lot of the book, and skimming the rest. The approach I used to learning about the methods, ideas, and products Bruce Mau explains within the book was very effective for me. I was instantly absorbed the proposed solutions to world problems and eleven economies they are sorted into. I looked through the book, starting from the end, and working my way to the front. I quickly realized it was separated into the eleven economies. At first glance, I was intimidated by its size and length, but upon further exploration, I found that its set up was very reader friendly, and the information covered by the different economies did not have to be read in any particular order.
The method Mau talks about, actually designing the world, was and still is hard to grasp. I understand it now, but it is still hard to explain to other people. The only way to encompass everything that Mau is portraying by explanation, would be to have the book right there in order to show specific examples and specific pages. The design of the actual book could be interpreted as is a small but good example of how design is always there, and not usually noticed, it explains things well, and is visually engaging.
Massive Change is very inspiring. After reading much of the book, I was dazed into thoughts of things that the world is going through every day. Each day holds trials and problems that are so easy to ignore on a daily basis, and also, as reminded by Massive Change, so important to solve now. It seemed a lot dropped on my shoulders that morning. I realized that the current state of the world is in need of so much. At the discussion, Bruce even stated a lot of the changes that will have to take place will have to happen soon: putting a lot on my generation.
Massive Change was so much information, written by one person. If he, one person, can address and try to take on all the world problems in this book by presenting his ideas in a positive and motivating way, what could one more person do? What can we all then do together? This is where I realized a couple of things. One: we all need to help. One can say “I can only do so much” but he can try doing that and more. Two: If Bruce Mau can write this book and change some thoughts and lives, I can too. The common question, “so how am I, someone so small, supposed to do anything about it?” The answer is “I can not so anything about it so I stop trying.” Massive Change made me realize that subconsciously I answered this question the same way. The real answer Massive Change made me discover is look what this one guy did with the help of a few other people. Look at how much this book inspired me. If I am inspired by this book, more people have to be, and on the other hand if it was just me who was inspired, at the very least he got one more person, and what can I do? At the very least get one more person, but as Massive Change does, strive for more. Three: there are so many more people working on this stuff than I thought. On a daily basis it seems like no one is doing anything to solve any of the problems, or if an idea is put out there, so much debating occurs that nothing can be decided. The day I read Massive Change, I realized ideas are being explored, products are being made, and methods are being practiced. I did not understand to what degree, however. I figured it was small. It was coming from the book, and other than this book there was nothing else to get people thinking about world problems to this degree. A week later at the discussion the amount of change actually taking place was brought up. The student, like me, questioned whether this change is really happening. Mau answered change is occurring every day, as we speak. He pointed out one huge reason allowing for this is communication. It allows us to do things so much more efficiently and with everyone in the world. All ideas can then be meshed together. Change is happening as we speak. Many are participating without even knowing they are. The ideas are coming together, and the answers are taking place. Change is not only possible, it is happening.
This encounter with Bruce Mau was very engaging. I have realized before art and design can affect people's lives and communities, especially through Mary Jane Jacob's lecture. Bruce extended her invitation to the whole world using art and design. There is so much to do and so much that needs to be done. Massive Change helped me see change is going on right now and help is still needed for it to succeed.
Links to this Page
