Integral Elevator Pitch Contest: Winners Announced!

from http://www.holons-news.com

Posted July 15th, 2008 by Corey W. deVos

Integral Elevator Pitch Contest: Win a Free Ticket to the Integral Theory Conference

The 1st Biennial Integral Theory Conference is sold out, and the wait-list has been closed. If you still want to attend this conference you may yet have a chance. Integral Life is running an “Elevator Pitch Contest.” We want you to create an elevator pitch advocating the Integral Approach.

What is an elevator pitch, and how will it help you get a ticket to the Integral Theory Conference?

An elevator pitch is a simple, concise, and persuasive statement that makes an impact (The name reflects the fact that an elevator pitch can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride… for example, thirty seconds or 100-150 words). The perfect pitch is not easy to create, so we thought we’d reach out to you, and give you something back in exchange for your efforts.

So, using these parameters, try to come up with a short and impactful response to the question: “What is the Integral Approach, and why is it important?”

To enter, please submit either a written pitch of less than 150 words or a video of yourself delivering your pitch in less than 60 seconds (we may give bonus points if you shoot it in an actual elevator). We’ll give one free conference ticket to each of the top two submissions. Tickets cover tuition only. Airfare, lodging, and expenses are not included.

Deadline for submission is July 6th, 2008.

UPDATE

After much deliberation, a difficult decision has been reached in the Integral Elevator Pitch Contest. Please join us in congratulating Arthur Gillard and Gili Getz.

Their winning submissions are reprinted below.

Thanks to everyone who submitted! Your responses were creative, inspiring, and offered great perspectives on how to make integral approach accessible and relevant.

-Integral Life Staff

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On July 5th, 2008 Arthur Gillard (not verified) says:
Here’s my tongue-in-cheek entry to the contest:

I get onto the elevator, wearing my “AQAL: transcend and include, bitches.” t-shirt (quadrant diagram on the back). Another passenger gets on.

“What the hell does your t-shirt mean? ‘A-Q-A-L?’ ‘Transcend and include bitches?’ Huh?”

“It refers to the integral worldview – check out this nifty diagram on the back” [I turn around for a moment.] It’s a map to orient all areas of human knowledge and experience. Everyone has part of the truth. “

“Even George Bush? Scientologists? Richard Dawkins? Yeah, right.”

“There are healthy versions of those worldviews, and yes, they are partially correct.”

“Very partial. Sheesh. What does ‘transcend and include’ mean?”

“Everything is evolving – biologically, culturally, spiritually – and each level goes beyond the previous level, while including what’s essential about it. Cells transcend and include molecules, for example. Moral systems that care for all beings transcend and include those that only care for the self or one’s ethnic group.”

“Are you in some kind of cult?”

“Trust me, that would be like herding cats. [laughs ruefully]“

“Wait – you still didn’t tell me what ‘A-Q-A-L’ means!”

“That takes a little more time to explain. Here, take this card – it’s got my email on it and some Integral Institute websites that will tell you more.”

“You’re kinda hot – are you Canadian?”

“Yes, but I’m married – and straight. Sorry. But check out the websites or email me if you want to know more about AQAL.”

NOTE: The above is loosely based on conversations that took place in my previous job in a library. It also works if you’re wearing a “Nondual perverts transcend and include fucking everything” t-shirt, though the conversation tends to get raunchier and is even more likely to result in an attempted pick-up.

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On July 3rd, 2008 Gili Getz (not verified) says:
60 seconds go by really fast when you try to explain Integral thinking.
And they go by even faster when you are trying not to use Integral vocabulary or imagery.
But I am going to try…

Here is my video:

I send love and admiration to all of you who are exploring the edges of the unfolding consciousness.

Gili Getz