Talking About Change Without Saying “Change”!

 

Advocating for Change: My off-line Communication Strategy for Sharing The Venus Project

When we believe in a powerful idea like The Venus Project, the next challenge is often: How do we share it? Over time, I’ve developed a personal communication strategy adapted to where I live (Lorraine, France)—a region whose history and culture deeply shape people’s perception of change. Here’s an outline of my approach, which you might find useful or inspiring, wherever you are.

Phase 1: Observation – Understanding your environment first

The first step isn’t to talk, but to observe.

In Lorraine, and more broadly in places with a complicated history and cultural proximity to Germany, people tend to be wary of grand visions for social change. Anything that comes with a strong label, ends with “-ism,” or has a charismatic founder at its center is almost reflexively viewed with suspicion. This is understandable: our collective memory remembers where some ideologies have led, and it’s shaped by a long history of authoritarian regimes and cult-like movements.

So rather than starting by speaking directly about The Venus Project or using big terms like “Resource-Based Economy,” I advocate for its underlying values. People connect more easily with ideas that resonate with their everyday experiences and personal aspirations than with abstract concepts or famous names.

In contrast, there are countries with large young populations, more recent histories, or cultures that value bold new ideas. There, it might be easier to talk openly and directly about the project and its founders. But where I live, the first step must be indirect—planting seeds of values that, over time, can grow into broader understanding and acceptance.

If enough people share these values, a cultural shift can emerge naturally—making the idea of a Resource-Based Economy feel less radical, and more like an evolution whose time has come.

Phase 2: New values – communicating complexity simply

At its core, The Venus Project seeks a balance between opposing forces, tailored to context. Instead of promoting rigid doctrines, it’s about discerning where to position ourselves along these spectrums, based on what’s appropriate and beneficial.

For instance:

• Combining local autonomy with global cooperation.
• Integrating centralized coordination when needed with decentralized decision-making where it works best.
• Balancing planning with the flexibility of improvisation.
• Appreciating both tradition and innovation rather than rejecting one outright.
• Weighing freedom and security carefully instead of choosing one over the other.

This dynamic thinking can be explained to others in simple terms: “It’s about seeking balance, not extremes. Designing systems that adapt to real human needs and environmental realities, instead of forcing people to adapt to rigid systems.”

When people see this nuance, it breaks the stereotype that The Venus Project is utopian or rigid—it becomes clear it’s about adaptability, pragmatism, and long-term sustainability. Learn more here…

 

Phase 3: Focusing on essential shared values

To make this concrete, here are a few values I personally focus on when talking to others:

• Critical Thinking: Encourage people to question information, no matter its source, to build a deeper, more informed perspective.
• The Scientific Method: Promote using evidence-based, systematic approaches to problem-solving and decision-making.
• Holistic Thinking: See the connections between society, the economy, technology, and the environment—understanding that choices rarely exist in isolation.
• Respect for humanity and the environment: Recognize and value cultural, ethnic, and ideological diversity; understand human behavior as largely shaped by environmental and social contexts.
• Future-Oriented Thinking: Think not just about immediate benefits, but about sustainability and the well-being of future generations.
• Creative Thinking: Foster curiosity and imagination—encouraging people to look beyond conventional solutions. 

These values are universal enough to resonate across ideological divides and cultural backgrounds. They’re not threatening—they feel reasonable, human, and necessary.

Conclusion: Small seeds, big change

Sharing an idea as ambitious as The Venus Project is less about grand speeches and more about thoughtful conversation. It starts by understanding your audience, meeting them where they are, and planting seeds of shared values. Over time, as these values take root in everyday thinking, the broader vision can unfold organically.

By adapting our message to local culture and context, we don’t dilute the vision; we make it more resilient, more relatable, and ultimately, more likely to inspire meaningful change.