The View Inside Me — Essays on meaning and purpose
Essays and reflections by Marc Winn on meaning, purpose, and living a contrarian life.
The Ikigai diagram
The story behind the four-circle Ikigai Venn diagram
The origin story of the most-read thing Marc has ever written, and the misunderstanding that travelled with it. Read it.
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Lessons from A Contrarian Life
There’s a part of me that has always resisted the obvious path. When I was younger, it wasn’t especially thoughtful. If someone told me to do something, I’d often feel the urge to do the opposite. Sometimes to see what would happen. Sometimes just to be noticed. It got me into trouble more than once. […]
The Link Between Karma and Dharma
I’ve found myself in a slightly surreal position over the years. Being described as the accidental creator of the Ikigai Venn diagram. A simple visual that somehow travelled the world and sparked a global conversation about meaning and purpose. The irony is that it also helped surface a misunderstanding. Because the Western version of Ikigai […]
Listening to the Project: A Simple Practice for Clearer Decisions
I have a little ritual I use when groups or founders feel stuck. It is gentle, playful and strangely effective. It helps people move from personal tension to collective clarity. It lets a project speak for itself. The idea Instead of diving straight into strategy, I invite everyone to choose an object to represent the […]
A Summary of the Philosophy of The View Inside Me
This blog has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Hundreds of reflections as I went on a personal journey of exploration. Here is a summary of my journey and reflections contained in this blog. A companion of possibility I live as a companion of possibility. I refuse to be governed by the […]
The Story Behind the Ikigai Venn Diagram: A Personal Journey
As the creator of the now-iconic Ikigai Venn Diagram, I want to share the untold story of its origins, its unexpected global impact, and the lessons learned from bridging Eastern philosophy with Western motivation. This diagram, which has inspired millions, began as a simple synthesis of ideas one that sparked both admiration and debate. The […]
The Looney Tunes Boardroom Process: Shining Light on Your Inner Voices
Have you ever noticed the different voices inside your head? You know—the nagging critic, the excited dreamer, the cautious planner, and maybe even the playful trickster. We all have them, but often, they battle it out behind the scenes, influencing our thoughts and choices without us fully realising it. That’s where the Looney Tunes Boardroom […]
How to Start an AI Adoption Group
Starting an AI Adoption Group can be as simple and enjoyable as meeting up for coffee. Here’s how you can create a space for sharing and learning about AI in your community or organisation: 1. Choose a Casual Setting: Find a cosy, informal space like a coffee shop. The relaxed atmosphere is perfect for open, […]
Economies of Care
The concept of economies of scale is widely understood in economics, referring to the idea that as production levels increase, the cost per unit decreases. This has been the driving force behind many business models, leading to mass production, globalization, and the consolidation of industries. However, in recent years, there has been growing recognition of […]
Why we need community labs
Community labs are essential to supporting communities to deal with exponential technology because they provide a space where people can come together to explore and understand the implications of emerging technologies. These labs serve as a hub for innovation, where individuals and organizations can collaborate and share ideas on how to use technology to improve […]
The Diamond Age
The Diamond Age, written by Neal Stephenson, is a science fiction novel that explores the future of AI and its potential impact on education. Set in a dystopian future, the story follows a young girl named Nell who is raised by a highly advanced AI called a “tutor.” Through Nell’s experiences, the novel offers a […]
Someone loves the jobs you hate
There is a certain power that comes from someone who loves the jobs that you hate. It’s not the type of power that comes from physical strength or political influence, but rather a power that comes from a deep inner motivation and determination to get the job done. For many of us, there are certain […]
Tap the loosest brick
There is a metaphor that I use help people to understand how to make change happen more easily. And it is centred around a game I remember from childhood called Jenga. Jenga is a game of physical skill created by British board game designer and author Leslie Scott and marketed by Hasbro. Players take turns […]
Unlocking and Scaling Care
It was a strange life-changing moment. In the middle of the desert, I found myself sprinting in the blistering heat chasing after a piece of litter that I didn’t drop. Those who know me well would understand that I am more known for my inaction rather than action. It is why I spend most of […]
Getting Inside The Doughnut
Humanity faces an incredible innovation challenge in the coming years. One that will define our course as a species in relation to the planet. Somehow, we need to meet the needs of our growing populations, whilst living within the means of our planet. We have to ensure that everyone has the essentials to life (food, […]
Hiding in Plain Sight
There is a revolution going on – and it’s hiding in plain sight. Community is gradually taking over the role of government. This technologically-accelerated dynamic is building momentum and there is a tipping point at which something very different may emerge. Around the world, governments are increasingly grinding to a halt, unable to adapt to […]
Crab Mentality
The concept of ‘crab mentality’ comes from the behaviour of crabs in a bucket or pot. Any single crab could escape easily, but the others prevent it, and the whole group perishes. Used as a metaphor for human behaviour, crab mentality occurs when the group – whether through envy, spite or competitiveness – undermines and […]
The Grace Cultivation Process 2.0
Over the years, I have developed my own self-reflective process based on a global exploration of mental health innovation. This is a personal process that I want to share for those who might be interested in it. I want to be clear that I am not a qualified practitioner in this field and that anything […]
Freedom in Captivity
There are two books that have had a lasting impact on me, redefining my relationship to tough circumstances. They are Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl and The Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela. Frankl miraculously survived years in a German concentration camp, when many simply gave up, hopelessly, and died. His book […]
What have you done?
This is the question I dread in every media interview. This question has brought me to tears of frustration many times, because I don’t have the words to fully describe the answer. The world wants a simple headline or an easily definable outcome to appease its primal energy-saving desire to simplify complexity. The world wants […]
Emergence (Part 2)
She danced. When confronted by a video of her dancing in her youth, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was not embarrassed and did not play down this experience. Instead, she joyously danced into her Congress office and posted a video of it. This video exploded online, bringing her human, no-nonsense style to a whole legion of new voters […]