Play can only happen when people feel they have control over their lives. We can’t be free agents if we’re not free.

– Bruce Mau

In response to Manifesto of An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth by Bruce Mau

This manifesto by Bruce Mau has to be one of the best manifestos I have ever read. It is super easy to understand and get inspired by. Being a designer, Mau embraces a new way of thinking about design, and perhaps life in general. Not only it can be applied to design, but I think to the majority of other professional fields and business too.

Slow down.

Forget about good.

Don’t be cool.

Ask stupid questions.

These are four things that may seem pretty confusing and unmotivated at the first glance. But they are opposite. “Don’t be cool” is my favorite out of these four. “Cool is conservative fear dressed in black. Free yourself from limits of this sort” – isn’t it genius? Why are we always trying to be cool? I think staying ourselves – that’s what makes us being real cool. WE LEARN by asking stupid questions, slowing down, making bad experiments, breaking and crushing, which is non-replaceable experience in our lives.

Allow events to change you.

Begin anywhere.

Keep moving.

Think with your mind. Forget technology.

Explore the other edge.

Power to the people.

I think it’s so powerful I am about to print it out, frame it, and put it on my desk. These simple things should be always reminded of. Moreover, this list should be open so each person can add to it and get the most out of it.