The power of metaphors

Throughout the event, symbols and metaphors were summoned to achieve a common understanding of complex concepts: the Celtic Trinity, the caterpillar and the butterfly, the Phoenix bird, the rhino and the immortal jellyfish (kudos to Josh!); however, the murmuring of starlings stole the show, as they were chosen to represent the key themes of reinvention: connectedness and adaptability as a collective.

Starlings use a combination of simple rules and a powerful social drive to create the amazing spectacle of a murmuration, a fascinating example of collective intelligence in the animal kingdom. This helps them reduce predation risks, improve foraging success, and navigate efficiently. A single starling's movement primarily influences the seven birds closest to it. When a single starling changes direction or speed, the whole flock responds through the ripple effect of the power of seven, making it appear as if the information or a command has been passed through the flock in real-time. This seemingly simple rule allows for complex and coordinated movements, creating the mesmerizing patterns seen in murmuration.

Who are the starlings around you: who do you follow, who follows you?

For humans to work together in unison, we need to practice empathy to create better connections, and curiosity as a gateway to reinvention.

The Divine Order of All Things