engineer

Local think-tanks, now that’s a thought!

Do we have or make use of local think-tanks? Or, do we always contract out consultation and research to a single corporation that embodies a monolithic type approach, or vision that is sluiced by the corporate makeup.

Think tanks brought to a local level seems a concept worthy of consideration. Gather select groups of academics, community activists, artists, journalists, engineers, critics etc. to collaborate on innovative thinking and ideas to improve the city and policy using diverse minds and talent, of those who live within it.

Of course, limitations on who can qualify should be in place for the selection of any committee or think tank. Those who wish to enter the pool of thinkers enter their name and credentials, CV, résumé, whatever, to allow for some sort of screening. But the requisites shouldn’t be limited to PhD holders, and it shouldn’t be limited to just political representatives, nor just developers and architects. It takes a multitude of opinions to reach a well-balanced solution, because everyone’s viewpoint is different and the solution may be involve a difference of perspective to reach the best result.

Further, I’m a firm believer that it doesn’t require the inclusion of every economic class in order to put forth an idea that can benefit one or every economic class. It takes reason to understand such things. It’s important that decisions are made with an eye of consideration to each class and how something may or may not affect those who will come into contact with whatever initiative is proposed.

Now, we are indeed moving in that direction as I’ve indicated before with CitySpeaks, or as Councillor Rasode tweeted:

But I discuss on purpose the notion of think tanks versus, say, an all-inclusive forum such as what can be experienced at City Hall or perhaps what CitySpeak might aim to do (I’m not certain how this program works or has worked). The reason is that I’ve seen, many times, citizens take a stance or grow increasingly frustrated over services, programs or actions of the government when they do not have the full case of evidence or misinterpret the evidence in front despite it being against reason or rationale. Sometimes, voters simply rely on passion and prejudice to influence their decisions they themselves perhaps failed to fully investigate.

It happens.

Greater local collaboration that draws from as many viewpoints as seems feasible. Only then can our local politicians and policy-makers make informed decisions. Mass consultation works so far as the citizenry is informed. And the fact is, not ALL citizenry who raise opinions, are informed.

So, to stave off wasteful minutes, perhaps hours (a la the South Surrey Casino ordeal), think tanks—selective committees of community problem solvers—seems a worthwhile route. Ideas from the tanks are published and presented to the public. All ideas fleshed out and the best ones brought to light.

Or, perhaps such a task is furthest from pragmatic?

I know the federal government may use them from time to time, with several national policy think-tanks (See List: McGill List of Canadian Think Tanks). Maybe we need to localize our thought, make use of the academics, businessmen and artists here, especially as municipalities are claiming greater responsibilities than ever before.

Politics is the movement and influence of people through ideas and policy. But our present political culture seems to predicate this notion of NIMBYism or this aversion to change. Involvement of the community is the only way to keep the naysayers from always raising ire over new developments or decisions. A line must be drawn.

Our present political culture seems to predicate this notion of NIMBYism or an aversion to change. Involvement of the community is the only way to keep the naysayers from always raising ire over new developments or decisions. But, a line must be drawn.

Furthermore, with all of the unnecessary or, at times, ineffective spending/planning that exists at every level of government, something must change.

They say that no question is a dumb question, but the same doesn’t stand true of ideas and innovation. It will be the educated masses that will lead us out of the problem-land, not just the blood, sweat and labour of our tradesmen.