What’s going on around here?
This site is a work in progress, just like me.
It started out as a little project for me to learn how to code (a bit, and a bit better). If you’re interested, you can read a whole lot of words about how I did it.
For now, it’s mainly an infrequently updated blog. Like all little seeds, with a little time and nurture, it may grow into something more.
When I write here, things tend to get wordy. Some of my favourites (if I may say so myself) are:
- For Radical Compassion, in which I explore empathy, intermediation, collaboration, and compassion in the context of design research practice.
- We’re Jamming which is about using “collective improvisation” as a frame for collaborative strategic design work.
Who is this Scott Matter guy anyways?
I’m an anthropologist, strategic designer, complex systems enthusiast, foresight / futures practitioner, a settler Canadian immigrant to Australia, an aspiring activist, a practicing (to become a practicing) buddhist, a lapsed amateur musician, and a reasonably competent (for local beer league) hockey defenceman.
I currently have a full-time gig, which takes up most of my ‘productive’ energy. I’m not complaining - I get to work with great people, on really cool stuff, with a glimmer of a chance to have some positive influence on systems that shape our lives.
I’m committed to doing my part to bring about social, economic, environmental, and political transition. Because in many ways, world is fukt. We really do need to get moving to build new worlds in the shell of the old, before we’re stuck trying to raise one up from its ashes.
We might get along well, and find ways to collaborate if some or all of these areas are relevant to your interests: collaboration, co-design, and collective improvisation; engaged practice; rigor and imagination; postdevelopment and pluriversal design; private sufficiency, public luxury, the commons, and the common good; and others you might suggest.
Want to get in touch?
Why not connect on the Fediverse? I've set myself up on Mastodon, on the Aus.Social server.
You can find me on Twitter, where I've spent too much a lot of time and my DMs are open. But who knows how much longer that dear old website will be around?
You can also find me on LinkedIn where I spend a lot less time. If you connect and message me there, be patient - I may take a while to get back to you.
Have a look around, enjoy (or don’t, it’s up to you), and let me know what's on your mind. I love feedback, both positive and negative, because it helps me adjust what I’m doing.