My Authors
Read all threads
I have 5 invites in my inbox to "co-create the future”.

I’ve architected, negotiated, led a lot of co-creation work. True co-creation. With stakeholders from diverse backgrounds (regionally, economically, politically, culturally) + some that hate each other.

What I've learned:
Co-creation is not throwing a bunch of people into a space / process / initiative and expecting magic to happen.

That’s wishful thinking—and usually comes from a place of privileged myopia.
Co-creation is not gathering ideas from a bunch of people, then figuring out what you do with them later.

That’s a consultation. One that is at best poorly planned, and at worst highly insulting.
Co-creation is not gathering inputs, realizing (inevitably) that most people don’t see eye-to-eye, so presenting a diluted synthesis or lowest common denominator “solution” as the answer.

That's a waste of everyone’s time—and how we abet mediocrity + sustain a toxic status quo.
So dear god please don’t call it co-creation unless you're willing to invest—to really, truly invest—in a process that:
1. Calls out + tackles power imbalances—and doesn't ask those with less power to perform their trauma for institutional attention.

Those w/ privilege must first do the damn work to figure out what’s broken. Those w/ lived experience then get to say what should be done about it.
2. Reckons with historical justices—and their present-day impacts. Because honestly, fuck "beginner’s mindset".

(Aside: I was raised Buddhist + am deeply insulted by the corporate design appropriation of this concept + its use to justify harmful, neocolonial, bullshit practices)
3. Leans into tensions, confronts controversy, and helps everyone (even avowed enemies) develop a shared point of view. THIS IS THE WORK!!!

It's damn tough. But we're grappling with power, upheaval, and renewal. If it's not hard and uncomfortable, it's probably not worth doing.
4. Invests real resources in standing up what comes out of the process, whether those funding / sanctioning like it or not.

Power likes to hold on to power. Real structural solutions will challenge that. So do as much as you can to negotiate resources / signoffs in advance.
There’s so much interest now in co-creation. That's a good thing.

Because systems that enable and sustain injustice, inequality, oppression were intentionally designed. Futures that honour and protect justice, equity, liberation can also be designed.

But it requires all of us.
None of us on our own have the answers. Systems change requires communities, artists, activists, civil society, academics, governments, companies to reimagine together.

But we can't if all we get are co-opted processes + no real resources behind the emergent visions.

Do better.
Someone noted there's a confusing typo here. Sorry, clearly I meant "historical injustices". I stand corrected.

I still however stand by + wish to underline my other point: fuck beginner's mindset. And fuck all the harmful, ahistorical, socialgoodwashing practices of Big Design.
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh.

Keep Current with Panthea Lee

Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

Twitter may remove this content at anytime, convert it as a PDF, save and print for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video

1) Follow Thread Reader App on Twitter so you can easily mention us!

2) Go to a Twitter thread (series of Tweets by the same owner) and mention us with a keyword "unroll" @threadreaderapp unroll

You can practice here first or read more on our help page!

Follow Us on Twitter!

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3.00/month or $30.00/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!