Memo

Short description

This is not a transformative app, it might actually increase environmental problems by promoting the kind of end-of-pipe 70th thinking that have resulted in a situation where countries like Sweden (where the app is from) is moving problems rather than solving them (CO2, pollution, etc) and not addressing over-consumption issues, etc.

BUT it does something that few apps are doing, linking children to the need for sustainability, so it fits due to the transformative potential of the area of “child inspiration for the 21st century” and mobile applications.

Further, this app is just free demo game done to promote physical games (so it is not really supporting dematerialization either, but that is a minor thing), the next version will hopefully include a more transformative and global approach.

So while this app in its current form support more of the end-of-pipe technology thinking that have dominated western thinking it could inspire other developers, or even these developers, to do something transformative.

Obviously the developers are not to blame for the "old" perspective as this is what most environmental organizations and other environmental experts in the west is communicating (and many in the organizations still believe in).

This is how the creators describe the app:
We’re about to save the world. We don’t just talk about it. We do stuff. Together with all the people engaged in our products we shape the future while having lots of fun.

GRO PLAY DIGITAL offers digital toys, games and content that help children learn about the environment and the sustainability challenges we are facing in an entertaining and inspiring way.
It’s time to combine the best out of gaming and sustainable thinking. GRO is about the future – and it’s fun.

Read more about the initiative here: http://www.groplay.se/hem.html

The best with the app/supporting initiative

+ Highlighting the need to address children and inspire them to think and understand a world in need of transformative change for environmental sustainability.

The weak parts of the app/supporting initiative

- Not presenting a solution perspective built on global equity and innovation, but rather the 70s pollution perspective.
- Not using the potential for mobile applications in any way (beside using a tablet/smartphone instead of a physical memo).

What could accelerate this app/supporting initiative into a world changer?

➢ Making an app that support children so that they can move beyond current thinking that is local and "visual" that have resulted in a situation where rich countries have moved most of the serious problems to poor countries instead of solving them.
➢ Shift from a problem perspective to a solution perspective.
➢ Address consumption and value issues
➢ Allow children to interact over current borders and grow up as global citizens.

Delivery

How direct is the delivery of the result the app tries to achieve
  • Direct
  • Indirect
  • Inspirational
  • Long shot

Comments

The app help children see the world though the lens of the old end-of-pipe perspective. Might be good if the children can move on after that as soon as possible.

Transformative approach

How transformative is it
  • A new world
  • A major shift
  • A bit of a shake-up
  • A gentle rocking

Comments

Not at all in the current version.

How much does it encourage collaborations

How much are new networks supported
  • Strong support for global networks?
  • Currently encourages new forms of collaboration
  • Provides interesting opportunities in the future
  • Restricted to a small (expert) group

Comments

Nothing in the current version.

What synergies can be delivered

How well does it also solve other problems/generate solutions
  • It solves everything
  • Several important challenges
  • Some important challenges
  • Only one challenge

Comments

That parents start thinking about nature and the environment in a "fun way" can help with a more constructive approach than the "anti" approach that still is dominating the environmental discussion.

Nine billion contribution

How global is it? Is it helping/will it help everyone on the planet
  • Instant global equality
  • Almost global
  • Getting (incrementally) global
  • Not applicable

Comments

Not much about the planets boundaries.

Building on current trends

How well does it use current trends
  • The app is setting new trends by itself
  • Building on multiple trends
  • Effectively building on one trend
  • Not really building on any major trend

Comments

Not really building on any major trends beside the fact that education can be fun (although that is a very important trend)

Timeframe

How fast can it deliver
  • It's already happening
  • In the coming weeks
  • In a year or so
  • In a distant future (hopefully)

Comments

Anything important happening will have to wait until the children are at least 12-14 years and can start to make a difference in the world.

Transparency

Does it support transformative transparency
  • Brave new transparency
  • Transparency that is innovative (never seen before)
  • Increased transparency, but nothing innovative
  • No increase in transparency

Comments

Nothing. If anything it might actually risk to support a simplified worldview. Maybe some further info could be provided that could help the parent to know more about the issues illustrated and what solutions that are available.

Comments are closed.