With a systematic approach, we can preserve almost anything. Our task is to spy on our lives and understand what systems we are supporting and upholding. We must ensure our energy goes only toward preserving what truly aligns with our reason for being.
by Brendon Henderson
Nothing is sustainable without a system. You can’t preserve something over time by chance; it takes intentional structure. As Chinua Achebe so eloquently put it, Things Fall Apart. Systems, then, are our only defense to keep things together.
To understand the power of systems, we can look to nature around us: fruits already contain the seed of potential for the next tree, a flawless system of perpetuation. Nuts, like almonds and macadamia, grow encased in leather-esque “coats” to survive many winters because trees don’t produce them every year. Mycelia create an underground fungal communication network that allows the beings of the forest to share intelligence.
Nature has many systems that sustain it over time, and the same principles apply when trying to preserve a culture. Just as a fruit would never have a seed for another tree, it requires specificity and rigidity. Like nut shells, the culture must be prepared to protect itself from the surrounding environment when conditions become harsh. While trying to last through time, covert communication networks, like the forest fungus, can be critical to make sure customs survive – even if that means they are underground.
