The DNA of the City
One of the principles I loved most when studying Urban Development was the concept of the DNA of the City. When looking at the development of cities, both from an economic and social development standpoint, it helps to look at the existing fabric/infrastructure, which will help you benefit during further development, as lots of groundwork has already been done.
However, most of the time cities (with that, the city development planning or local government) often defers from its DNA, and puts focus on building an identity that is hip and popular, something another city already accelerates at. The city becomes an aspiring version of it, but never really develops the way it was planned, because the city development plan and the existing ...architecture, spatial characteristics, inhabitants, companies, visitors.. (you name it).. simply don't match the way they expected it to. Sounds familiar?
Start With The Why
It might just sound a little familiar, because we as people get sucked into identities (of the thought of it) in similar ways. We find something appealing, want it as part of our identity, but it just doesn't quite fit. We say we aspire to be, but in fact nothing within our DNA really connects with it.
Nature has a funny way of telling us something. In this case it is wether to mold our identity based on nature or based on nurture. As covered yesterday, you can create your own identity. More than ever, you can include elements in your identity that are originally not related to you culturally, religiously, or in any way thinkable. It can lead to cultural appreciation, or cultural appropriation. And those lines can be super thin.
So why does this matter? Because 'why'?
Popularized by Simon Sinek in 'Start with the Why'?, figuring out why something is important or valuable is the single most important aspect to look at. It's not just what we do and how we do it, but why we do it. When we decide to value something and want it to be part of our identity it is good to know why that is the case.
What I value? Sports! This picture is from the early 90s, watching the World Cup. Almost 30 years later, Lex and I still are into sports, own our Fantasy teams and yes, my favorite NFT projects are sports related.
The Hair Story
When I went to study abroad, my mother once told me that people with curls were less likely to be taken seriously. So during my student years, I had 2 different looks. One with my semi curly hair, and another look, when I decided I wanted be taken more serious. And surprisingly, that one simple element made a lot difference. In the way people approached me, but even my lifestyle and own confidence, to even the women that approached me. In retrospect, a lot of more serious positions and responsibilities were handed to me in that period. But I doubt that had anything to do with my hair. And, in the end, for me the choice was simple. I love the playful fun me. Can you guess which one I prefer?
| Super short? | Or super long? |
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Does intent matter?
The are many ways your 'why' shapes who you are. Especially in a world where an identity can so easily be created, developed, but also destroyed, it is good to know what you stand for, you believe in, while respecting one another and without trying to project your identity on others either..
Last but not least, when building your own identity, intent matters increasingly more and more. It is easy to fake. In Social Media terms, there is even a saying.... Pseudo Profound Wisdom. Short 15 second messages or quotes with buzz words that get you hyped up about something or someone. Much like the daily newspaper horoscope. Specific enough to make you feel that it was written for you. Vague enough to be applicable and to hold some truth to it. To be interpreted in as many ways possible, so it relates to the maximum audience. But if the Pseudo Profound Wisdom gets someone who is stuck to finally get up and actually successfully create something. If intent is good. Does it justify the method?
I guess it depends who you hang out with. More about the tomorrow.
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