Don't Go Back To Normal launch event

In a matter of weeks, the pandemic has changed everything. For decades, activists and campaigners have been fighting to change the system, and suddenly the machine we’ve been trying to stop has been powered down to only what is essential.

Many of us have been touched by loss of loved ones, loss of income, loss of community and loss of security. Indeed, there is reason to believe that the world we’ve known until now has died. But trying to bring back the old world would be a mistake. That old world is what led us into this mess to start with, and greater messes beyond the pandemic; catastrophic climate change and ecosystem damage which risks all life on Earth.

Now is the time for breaking out of our usual habits and siloed issue areas. We must re-imagine every corner of society, from food systems to education to how we use technology, how we do waste, how we generate energy, and the rhythms and behaviours with which we live our lives. We must do this so that we #dontgobacktonormal.

Transdisciplinary thinkers Stephen Reid (stephenreid.net) and Phoebe Tickell (phoebetickell.com) have put together a collection of post-pandemic alternatives in some of the most important areas for social, economic and ecological transformation at https://dontgobacktonormal.uk.

On June 23rd, you're invited to join Stephen, Phoebe and members of the #dontgobacktonormal advisory team for a participatory Zoom call marking the official launch of the site and to discuss where we go from here.

“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.” ― Arundhati Roy