UCSB is a wonderful place with wonderful people. Despite any complaining about the price of tuition, the amount of reading, the 8AM classes... the people are still fantastic. Cassie and I have met with two incredibly helpful contacts in the past few weeks who have given us hope, support, things to fix, and their belief in us.
The first, a graduate student named Gustavo, walked us into a dark room, put a pair of glasses in our hands, told us the best view was from the middle of the bridge, and let us observe. He was letting us see a glimpse of what he works on called the alloSPHERE. It is a large-scale immersive lab that provides a place to integrate science, engineering, and media arts and DAMN it was cool. Basically these gigantic 3D shapes and lines(that were actually really complex models simplified into pretty shapes and colors for people like me) constantly morphing and moving towards us as we observed in awe. Then Gustavo led us out to some tables in the hallway and we got down to business.
The first, a graduate student named Gustavo, walked us into a dark room, put a pair of glasses in our hands, told us the best view was from the middle of the bridge, and let us observe. He was letting us see a glimpse of what he works on called the alloSPHERE. It is a large-scale immersive lab that provides a place to integrate science, engineering, and media arts and DAMN it was cool. Basically these gigantic 3D shapes and lines(that were actually really complex models simplified into pretty shapes and colors for people like me) constantly morphing and moving towards us as we observed in awe. Then Gustavo led us out to some tables in the hallway and we got down to business.
Among the great advice he told us:
- what we're doing is rare
- we need a camera (and someone might let us borrow one)
- we are pragmatic and personable so own it
- we need to make our mission accessible to a broader community
- have a set series of questions so the interviews are structured but allow them to flow other directions
- look at examples of people who have done similar trips
- understand legalities
- our map could be about what people need... and we could send it to congress!
- find a mentor (especially a female who has fundraised before)
- there is no reason to be shy!
- enlist the help of others- make a team and utilize them for what they're good at! Your team becomes your family
- this is OURS- so own it, be proud of it, make it the most exciting, passionate thing we've ever talked about or done- because it is!!
So that was a wonderful meeting and he sent us a link to someone he knew who did a biodiesel trip and promised to be a resource and ally for our journey.
Then, this morning we met with a UCSB professor named Marc who also gave fantastic contributions. His office was colorful and cozy, showing his personal style with a stuffed rattlesnake on the floor and photos covering the walls.
His advice was about our language and the differences between "solutions" and "responses":
- life is full of unintended consequences and full of conditions beyond human solving
- it's hard/impossible to convince people that they are part of a solution, but easier to convince them that they are response ABLE
- what we're looking to discover are peoples' responses
- reaction is not the same thing as response
- we can't really solve all the problems in the world (especially climate change) but we CAN respond to them
- go on this journey with the mindset that we don't have to fix it all
- be humble
- gain insight into many different approaches in the communities we visit and highlight them
Overall, these two men were incredibly valuable and supportive. We want to thank them for their help and THANK YOU for reading and supporting us. We love you Project Discover community!
~Molly and Cassie~
- what we're doing is rare
- we need a camera (and someone might let us borrow one)
- we are pragmatic and personable so own it
- we need to make our mission accessible to a broader community
- have a set series of questions so the interviews are structured but allow them to flow other directions
- look at examples of people who have done similar trips
- understand legalities
- our map could be about what people need... and we could send it to congress!
- find a mentor (especially a female who has fundraised before)
- there is no reason to be shy!
- enlist the help of others- make a team and utilize them for what they're good at! Your team becomes your family
- this is OURS- so own it, be proud of it, make it the most exciting, passionate thing we've ever talked about or done- because it is!!
So that was a wonderful meeting and he sent us a link to someone he knew who did a biodiesel trip and promised to be a resource and ally for our journey.
Then, this morning we met with a UCSB professor named Marc who also gave fantastic contributions. His office was colorful and cozy, showing his personal style with a stuffed rattlesnake on the floor and photos covering the walls.
His advice was about our language and the differences between "solutions" and "responses":
- life is full of unintended consequences and full of conditions beyond human solving
- it's hard/impossible to convince people that they are part of a solution, but easier to convince them that they are response ABLE
- what we're looking to discover are peoples' responses
- reaction is not the same thing as response
- we can't really solve all the problems in the world (especially climate change) but we CAN respond to them
- go on this journey with the mindset that we don't have to fix it all
- be humble
- gain insight into many different approaches in the communities we visit and highlight them
Overall, these two men were incredibly valuable and supportive. We want to thank them for their help and THANK YOU for reading and supporting us. We love you Project Discover community!
~Molly and Cassie~