What Metaphor Guides Your Theory of Change?

X is “upstream” or “downstream” of Y— is a metaphor we live by.

It’s a jargon-y way of naming what’s of primary and what’s of secondary import. It’s also a way of justifying one’s values and life choices from first principles.

If culture is downstream of politics, then we have to start by solving political problems, e.g., fixing our governance structure.

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