Veterans Day 2024

Tomorrow the nation will once again celebrate Veterans Day. With this week's election of Donald Trump, I wonder how much meaning this holiday has, or what memory people will have 20 or 40 years from now.

On Friday I posted an article titled "Tips for Deeper Learning".  I hope over the coming year you'll find time to read it and other articles about "learning" that I've posted on this blog in the past 19 years.

This blog and my library are a resource for that learning.  I hope they are still available after my life ends.

When I attended meetings, conferences, etc. in the past I constantly took notes on what I was hearing. I was also visualizing how what I was hearing fits with my own efforts, questions I have about what's being said, and opportunities for the future. I amassed over 20 years of files and binders with these notes. 

Since 2019 I've digitized all of my notes and put them on my Google Drive. Now you can see many ideas from the past in folders here, here and here.

Often I converted some of my ideas into new graphics, and blog articles. You can see an example here.

Here's an example of my process. I scanned my raw notes into a PDF and uploaded them to my GoogleDrive. You can see them here. If you view these, you'll see on page one, a graphic similar to the one at the left. I see the role of the organizers and partners in meetings I attend and in on-line forums, as intermediaries who are trying to connect people who can help with veterans, and places who are helping veterans and their families.

If that's the case, creating a structure similar to what I've been building, which I describe below, would support their efforts.

Tutor/Mentor Institute - Learning Network Strategy by Daniel F. Bassill

This PDF describes this graphic.

If you read the article about Deeper Learning, and look at this PDF, you'll see how my library supports the concepts of "unfurling" and "unflattening" and the "adjacent possible."
 

I hope you'll also see how my graphics are a way of visualizing my thinking that others could duplicate.

Since this is Veterans Day, I feel many would relate to this graphic, and the problem solving strategy it visualizes. Visit this page and see how an intern created a video to share these ideas. Youth working with veterans could be helping communicate their own ideas and strategies.

Step 7 focuses on building public commitment to generate long term support for efforts that are distributed across many organizations, in many places, for many years. 

Resisting the fascist goals of the next Trump administration and the far right networks that support him will require this long-term commitment. It won't be easy.

Building well-organized K-12 youth serving organizations that reach kids in every high poverty area of Chicago has been my goal since 1993. It's never been easy.  It's still not been achieved.

If others do their own Deeper Learning and visualize and share their ideas, as I have, maybe we could get closer to the goal in another 10 to 20 years.  

 This article on network building emphasizes how much the veterans' community, women's rights, racial justice, minorities and others, such as the tutor/mentor community, need to build growing support for their efforts. The 40 people in the room for a ZOOM meeting I attended this week, represented thousands of total supporters. The 60,000+ visitors to my blog each month represent many thousands more.

Imagine 100, or 1000, people writing blogs with the same content, spread over 100 cities. 

I share my blog posts and graphics on social media and in my email newsletter and hope that others who read this article will want to help me in my efforts, and help the veterans community in what I feel is an equally important effort.

I've used this graphic often to show how communities need to support youth living in high poverty, or without enough family support, as they move from birth to adult lives and careers. I feel that if the veterans' community were to embrace this they could be building networks of support for youth before they enter the military that would already be in place as they leave their service.

I look forward to sharing my ideas and helping the veterans community because they will be helping me in my efforts if they adopt these ideas.

Thanks for reading.  Please connect with me on one of the social media platforms that I point to on this page.

And, if you value what I'm sharing, please make a contribution to help me keep doing this work. Visit this page and help fund the T/MI.

Tips for Deeper Learning

Below is text for a message to be posted on Twitter, created by ChatGPT, at the request of Terry Elliot, who I met in 2013 via a Connected Learning cMOOC.  I've shared many articles in the past showing my long-term connection to Terry.

This was part of a long article on Terry's blog. I encourage you to take the time and read his full article about the concepts of "unfurling" and "unflattening" and "adjacent possible".   Look at how he used ChatGPT to create the article. It's impressive. 

I posted a comment on Terry's blog and asked if he'd request ChatGPT to create another post, showing how "mentors, parents, coaches, and teachers can introduce these ideas to students and help them build lifelong habits of growth, curiosity, and complexity in their thinking.

That was the goal of the volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs I led in Chicago from 1975 to 2011, even though I never articulated it using these terms.

Terry responded with the text I'm sharing below:

**Cultivating Growth: Teaching Young People to Unfurl, Unflatten, and Embrace the Adjacent Possible** 

In today’s rapidly changing world, the skills of curiosity, flexibility, and depth of understanding are more important than ever. As mentors, parents, coaches, and teachers, we play a pivotal role in guiding young people to develop these skills. Teaching the concepts of “unfurling,” “unflattening,” and the “adjacent possible” can help them form lifelong habits of thoughtful growth and continuous discovery. Let’s explore how these concepts work and how we can encourage them in daily interactions. 

### 1. Unfurling: Encouraging Exploration and Outward Growth 

**What It Is**: Unfurling is the process of opening up and spreading outward, like a flower blooming or an idea expanding. It involves taking something in its simplest form and allowing it to grow, becoming fuller and more developed over time. For young people, unfurling might mean exploring their interests, hobbies, and talents without feeling pressured to be perfect. 

**How to Teach It**:
- **Give Permission to Experiment**: Often, young people feel they must “get it right” on the first try. Encouraging them to see learning as a series of explorations rather than a test helps them build the confidence to try new things. Remind them that trying something is itself valuable.
- **Encourage the Process, Not Just the Outcome**: Praise their curiosity, questions, and willingness to try rather than just the final product. If a young athlete learns a new skill, focus on their effort and enjoyment of the learning process.
- **Model Unfurling in Real Life**: Share examples of times when you or others gradually explored something and grew from the experience. For example, a teacher might explain how they “unfurled” their understanding of a subject over years by exploring different aspects of it.

 **Activity Ideas**:
- **“Idea Gardens”**: Encourage them to keep an “idea garden” where they write down ideas or dreams, big or small, without judgment. Each week, ask them to “water” one of those ideas by thinking about it, researching, or trying something related. This way, they learn that ideas are not static but grow with attention and care.
- **Learning Expansions**: If they’re studying a topic, ask them to look for connections to other interests. For example, if they’re learning about history, they could explore how it connects to literature or science. This way, they see that learning can spread outward in fascinating ways.

### 2. Unflattening: Encouraging Depth, Nuance, and Multi-Dimensional Thinking

 **What It Is**: Unflattening, a concept introduced by Nick Sousanis, is about seeing beyond one-dimensional perspectives and adding layers of meaning and complexity. It’s the ability to think critically and recognize that most issues have multiple sides and layers, which is crucial for developing empathy, problem-solving skills, and emotional intelligence.

 **How to Teach It**:
- **Encourage “Why” Questions**: Prompt them to look beneath the surface by asking questions like “Why do you think that happened?” or “What could be another reason for this?” This helps them recognize that there’s often more than meets the eye.
- **Discuss Multiple Perspectives**: Whether it’s a historical event, a book character, or a personal conflict, show them how to consider various viewpoints. This can be especially powerful for older students in literature or history, where understanding different motivations and outcomes deepens comprehension.
- **Challenge Simplistic Thinking**: Gently question “black-and-white” thinking by presenting scenarios that require nuanced answers. For example, in a sports context, a coach might explain that success is about more than winning or losing and includes effort, sportsmanship, and teamwork.

**Activity Ideas**:
- **Perspective Maps**: Ask them to choose a topic and create a “perspective map,” where they list as many different viewpoints on the issue as possible. This could be as simple as considering different points of view on a story character’s actions or as complex as exploring diverse perspectives on a current event.
- **Layered Learning**: For any new skill or topic, ask them to think about it in “layers.” For instance, in learning to play a musical instrument, they might start by focusing on notes and rhythms (surface layer), then move to musical expression (deeper layer), and finally think about how music makes them feel (even deeper layer). This approach builds appreciation for complexity and encourages depth.

### 3. The Adjacent Possible: Opening Doors to New Opportunities and Growth

**What It Is**: The “adjacent possible,” a concept introduced by Stuart Kauffman, is about the realm of new possibilities that are just within reach, shaped by each step we take. Teaching young people to seek the adjacent possible helps them understand that progress is made through small, continuous steps into new territory. This approach builds resilience, adaptability, and a love of discovery.

**How to Teach It**:
- **Highlight Small Steps to Big Goals**: Help them see that growth often happens gradually, one small step at a time. Encourage them to look at what’s possible from their current position, emphasizing that each small step unlocks new directions and possibilities.
- **Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection**: Remind them that exploring the adjacent possible is about progression, not perfection. Every small achievement is a step that opens up new opportunities.
- **Encourage Openness to Surprises**: The adjacent possible includes unexpected possibilities. Show them how to stay open to serendipity by celebrating “happy accidents” and unplanned discoveries.

**Activity Ideas**:
- **Goal Mapping with Steps**: Encourage them to set a goal, then map out the “adjacent steps” they can take to reach it. For instance, if they’re interested in learning to code, suggest steps like exploring beginner-friendly coding platforms, then creating a simple project, then learning more advanced skills. Each step builds on the previous one, leading them into new adjacent possibilities.
- **Reflect on New Possibilities**: At the end of each week, ask them to reflect on any new possibilities that arose from their recent experiences or achievements. This helps them see growth as a process that continually creates new opportunities.

### Bringing It All Together: Helping Young People Make These Habits Lifelong

Developing a habit of unfurling, unflattening, and embracing the adjacent possible can create lifelong learners who are curious, resilient, and open to growth. Here’s how we, as mentors, parents, coaches, and teachers, can help them make these ideas part of their mindset:

- **Model the Mindset**: Talk openly about your own learning experiences, showing that growth doesn’t stop in adulthood. Share moments when you’ve unfurled a skill, unflattened an idea, or explored the adjacent possible.
- **Encourage Self-Reflection**: Set aside time to discuss what they’ve been learning or trying. Ask them about what surprised them, what they’ve grown curious about, and any new ideas they’ve uncovered.
- **Create a Supportive Environment**: Young people thrive when they know they have a safe space to explore, make mistakes, and ask questions. Offer a non-judgmental environment where they feel comfortable unfurling ideas, even if they’re imperfect, and unflattening them by considering complexities.

### Final Thoughts

Teaching the practices of unfurling, unflattening, and exploring the adjacent possible is a powerful way to cultivate habits of growth, depth, and resilience in young people. When they learn to embrace these complementary approaches, they’re equipped to navigate challenges, seek meaningful growth, and explore the ever-expanding possibilities in their lives. And as mentors, parents, coaches, and teachers, we have the rewarding role of guiding them on this journey of discovery that will shape how they engage with the world for a lifetime.

---- end ----

Thank you Terry Elliott!

Terry's blog also has a recent article about journaling, which offers many tips that students and adults might apply as they incorporate the concepts of "unfurling" and "unflattening" and "adjacent possible".

My blog and concept map library also offer many examples of how students might map and visualize their learning journey, following many suggestions from Terry's article.  The concept map shown below is an example of "unflattening" as pursuit of one idea lead to many other challenges that need to be addressed.  This article show more tools to use in mapping ideas.

I've put the article about "unfurled" and "unflattening" on my Google Drive, in PDF format, for those who'd like to print and share copies.

I've always felt that this type of learning was important. It's one reason I've created the Tutor/Mentor library.  The articles help you expand your range of ideas and tools for solving complex problems.  In the uncertain future following this week's election, those habits of thinking will be more important than ever.  It's too bad they were not being taught in every zip code for the past 50 years!

You can find Nick Sousanis's book "Unflattening" on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Unflattening-Nick-Sousanis/dp/0674744438 

Find Stuart Kauffman's TED talk about the "adjacent possible" at https://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_kauffman_the_adjacent_possible_and_how_it_explains_human_innovation?subtitle=en

I hope you'll reach out and connect with me on social media. I'm  using Twitter less now and trying to encourage youth programs and those I've been following on Twitter for so many years to connect with me on BlueSky or Mastodon.  You can find links to my social media sites on this page. 

I depend on contributions to help me fund this work and pay my bills. If you can help please visit this page. 

Devastated

Like millions, I'm totally devastated by the results of yesterday's US election.  I'm not sure how I'll respond.  However, below is a post I saw this morning on Mastodon.Cloud that is fitting.

"I wish it need not have happen in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times.  But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given."    From Toiken's "Lord of the Rings".

For today, I'm tuning out all media and most social media. 

Good luck to all of you who worked for a different result.  Good luck to those of you who will wish you did not get the result you voted for.  

Scary Reading. Pre-Election.

I've been building the Tutor/Mentor library since the 1970s, with books, videos, articles and research that I've found interesting and useful and have archived, to make it available to others.  I started putting this on the Internet in the late 1990s and have added to it regularly since then. 

Below is a map showing the entire library. Click here to view

This now has more than 2000 external links, plus hundreds of articles, visual essays and videos created by myself and interns who have worked for me in the past.  Many of the websites I point to have their own extensive libraries.  

Imagine all of the people who work in these organizations or write these article were connected in a huge information and problem solving web. Twitter had that potential. No longer. Other social media sites have also offered that potential.  I started connecting with others in the 1990s via email list conversations, then Yahoo Groups, then Google+.  

I built my library using this on-going question: "What are all the things we need to know and do to reach all kids in high poverty areas with organized tutor, mentor and learning programs that help them move safely through school and into adult lives, with jobs and careers that enable them to raise their own kids free of poverty?"  

Each node on the concept map has a small box at the bottom that leads to an external web site or another concept map.

One section that I've been building for the past 10-15 years focuses on race, poverty and inequality, which are root causes for why we need extra programs and where they are most needed.  This concept map show sections in this part of the library.

In 2016, after Donald Trump was elected to be President of the United States, I began building a list of articles on a DropBox page, showing the harm he was causing. I've expanded this list over the past eight years to show the forces that have put the rich in power over myself and the masses of ordinary people. 

My most recent addition was a video of the Midnight Kingdom Lecture Series, which is described as "a deep dive into the history of how our world was constructed using white supremist lies, religious mythologies, and poisonous conspiracy theories".  It's based on a book by Jarod Yates Sexton.

Open this link to view Episode 1 of the series.  I've only watched the first two videos so far, but it's already pretty depressing, and a strong reason to vote for Kamala Harris, just to slow the forces working against us.

That video is only the most recent of a long list of articles I've put on this page. The graphic below shows a few added in mid 2022.

In a July 2024 article I wrote about the Internet as a force for Change.  By that, I meant that the Internet makes all of this information available to everyone with access. It's there, if you're motivated to look.  It does what the printing press began to do about 550 years ago.

In Episode 2 of the Midnight Kingdom lectures Yates shows how those in power try to control media and all forms of learning to shape a world view that supports them staying in power.  He also shows how people who are oppressed find ways to learn about issues and unite to create change.

The frightening thing is that they then become the ones in power, who apply the same tactics to stay in power.  This is a constant, never-ending battle.  

As long as people make an effort to aggregate and archive resources that show what's happening and why, we have a slim chance of blunting the power-grabbing tendencies of those in power and give representation to the rest of us.

Keeping this information available to you is an on-going effort. Since 2011 I've been the only one managing this effort (and paying for it from my own pocket and a small set of donations).

The history I point to extends back to the beginning of civilization when people in power began to use religion to force people to do the will of the people in power.  It will continue into the future.

Beyond my lifetime. Maybe beyond the current version of the Internet.

Thus, I appeal to young people, future thinkers, technologists, etc. to reach out and take ownership of my archives (and those of others) to keep the library updated, and to move it to new platforms as the current ones are shut down.

You can find me on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, BlueSky, Facebook, Mastodon, etc.  See links on this page.  Please share my articles so others have access to this information.  Reach out if you want to help.

Finally, I appeal to you to join the small group of donors who make annual contributions to help me pay the bills.  Visit this page.