Driveway
Transcending notions of space and place.
Route 24 is your civic education stop for stories driving public trust. We are a space for policy analysis, immersive fiction, and social innovation.
REST STOP parks in your inbox on Fridays to hit the brakes on current news cycles and test tracks for inspiration.
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
From Ralph Waldo Emerson. As first published in the essay, “Nature”. 1836.
In this issue: Tomorrow marks the official start of the winter season. It’s also the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the latest sunset in the Southern Hemisphere. It reminds me of Emerson’s 1836 essay, “Nature”, which broadly discusses the core thesis of Transcendentalism — that is, the interconnectedness of the natural world. This speed reel from PBS Nature captures the essence of Emerson’s thesis, and his musings on being a trailblazer in a world of conventional thinking. This week I’m sharing an article that’s inspired our project focus, a shameless plug of Route 24’s Navigators Circle, the pit stops I’ve made as we approach year end, and some much-needed humor to escape from the Dave-Barry- I’m-NOT-Making-This-Up headlines seen in today’s dominant news media.
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Arcade Alley
This is typically a space where I preview what’s jumpstarted our creative process on the Probable Cause odyssey. Some of you are well-aware of this, but for those who aren’t yet up-to-speed, it takes independent creatives countless hours of preparation to build out any business vertical we pursue. We do so for the public good. We don’t have the luxury of the financial infrastructure that corporate executives readily have access to. Instead, we work late nights and early mornings to realize our project vision and invite others to come along for the ride from a place of trust and with the belief that more minds in the mix lead to even better solutions. With that ethos top-of-mind, this week is more of an idea share than a process invitational. I came across this article in Foreign Policy that I strongly suggest everyone read. It’s about how video games are being used to counter propaganda and the various perspectives on that topic. It will take authentic collaboration to course correct from the pathways of misinformation and disinformation. Let’s do better.
Next issue I’ll weigh in with my thoughts, but for now, I’d love to hear yours. Comment below or send me a message to jumpstart the conversation.
Route 24’s Navigators Circle attempts to solve for persistent cognitive biases by jumpstarting deeper conversations. When policies alone may fail to change course, let stories be your guide. We’ll be announcing programming in the new year. In the interim, click on the button to learn more and pledge your support.
Off Ramp
What a year! L.A. has been an exciting adventure and I’m looking forward to an eventful 2025! From NALIP’s End-of-Year Celebration to L.A. Tech and SLC Alumni gatherings and screenings of films that take risks and tackle complex social issues, I’m grateful you’re here joining me on this thrill ride.
Tread Lightly
Travel across the U.S. and you’re bound to see a few road signs that send a message. If it makes you laugh, pass it on using Tread Lightly in the subject line: route24@substack.com. This find is definitely a vibe. What does it remind you of?
It’s full speed ahead to the holidays. I hope you’re spending time with those who bring you joy and remind you of all that matters most. Hang On - Part Three parks in your inbox on Sunday. Until then…
Stay the course,
Sam
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P.S. Add Red One to your holiday watch list. It’s hilarious and precisely the humor the world could use a bit more of these days.
