reading room
Twelve Pounds and a Dream
We gathered the world's greatest minds — and gave them a budget of twelve pounds. They asked for resources. We gave them synergy workshops. They asked for data. We offered an 'inspirational quote' screen-printed on a tote.
The think tank was a rusted tank. The briefing came handwritten on the back of a Tesco receipt. It smelled faintly of despair.
Someone asked for change. We jingled coins in our pockets and said, "We're working on it."
The forests burned. We launched a hashtag campaign — #EcoVibesOnly, with a baby panda and a QR code that linked to merch. The oceans rose. We held brunch on a rooftop terrace, posted it with the caption 'Rise Above.'
Someone mentioned the children. We dimmed the lights for dramatic effect. Ran a PowerPoint in italics. Rebranded it 'Vision 2030.' Applauded the clipart.
Someone proposed feeding the poor. We issued a voucher for one (1) smile and a slightly bruised avocado.
Morale hit an all-time low. We launched a podcast, brought in a mindfulness goat, in a government-issued suit.
Someone asked what the future looks like. We passed around a mirror, framed in recycled plastic, blamed the lighting, the government, then each other — and called it progress.
— Lilith