--- title: An Exploratory Sidetrack While Researching Social Movements description: "Check out Mark Holmgren's thoughts on the use of the word \"Movement\"" image: https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Tamarack_New_Website/Latest_/Social_Movement_Lab.gif --- [![20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Administration/Tamarack%20Logos/20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png?width=200&height=47&name=20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png "20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange")](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) # An Exploratory Sidetrack While Researching Social Movements Posted on January 24, 2016 [By Mark Holmgren](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/mark-holmgren) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) I love what I do. I mean the big picture "DO." Sometimes, like anyone, I get side-tracked, frustrated or both. I worry about things or imagine how things "could" turn out if we don't pay attention to things. I have been reading about Movements. Actually researching them, why they emerge, how they work and evolve, the impacts they have. I am exploring the various types of Movements: Alternative Movements, Redemptive Movements, Reformist Movements and Revolutionary Movements as per [David Aberle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Aberle) (1964). ![Social_Movement_Lab.gif](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Tamarack_New_Website/Latest_/Social_Movement_Lab.gif?width=320&name=Social_Movement_Lab.gif) I believe in Movements. I am intrigued by them and to be honest want to turn my research and investigation into a presentation/workshop, perhaps more, for [Tamarack's learning community.](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) And I will continue to do that, but I got sidetracked today. I was thinking about how many Movements there are, how everything and anything appears to have Movement-potential these days. Not only do we have today the [Human Rights Movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_movement) or the [Labour Movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labour_movement) or the dozens and dozens of[ other Movements ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_movements)that have changed -- and are changing the world, we also have the [Anti-Lady Gaga Movement](https://orgtheory.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/silly-social-movement-of-the-day-the-anti-ga-ga-movement/), the [Go-Topless Movement ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topfreedom)and countless renditions of "Buy My Movement. Websites abound that promise me - promise us -[ the Seven Steps to Building a Movement](http://www.socialmediatoday.com/content/how-start-movement-7-easy-steps) or the [Three Strategies for Creating a Movement](http://catalystconference.com/read/three-strategies-for-building-a-movement/). I can learn how to use a Movement to build my brand. So many recipes, it's a bit unnerving. So many easy (apparently) to follow formulas in the Social Movement Laboratory. I worry that the word, "Movement," will become generic or watered down and so common place that one day while waiting on the phone with my cellphone provider or my bank or my utility company or even the government, I will hear *that* same woman's voice offer a new, crystal clear though dispassionate message. *"I have a dream. I have a dream that one day you will realize just how important you are to our Movement. Your call may be recorded. Please continue to hold."* Fortunately or unfortunately (it depends on your perspective), a lot of buttons will have to be pushed to even get that far. Topics: [Mark Holmgren](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/mark-holmgren), [Social Movements](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/social-movements) ![Mark Holmgren](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Administration/Team%20Headshots/Mark_Holmgren.jpg) ### By [Mark Holmgren](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/mark-holmgren) Mark Holmgren is the Executive Director of the Edmonton Community Development Company and a former Tamarack Director. He is known for his track record in developing social innovations, including the development of Upside Down Thinking, an approach to thinking differently, if not disruptively. ## Related Posts [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Face%20mural.jpeg)](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/art-at-the-centre-of-movement-building?hsLang=en-us) #### [Art at the Centre of Movement Building](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/art-at-the-centre-of-movement-building?hsLang=en-us) [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/story%20telling.jpg)](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/telling-your-story-of-change?hsLang=en-us) #### [Telling Your Story of Change](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/telling-your-story-of-change?hsLang=en-us) [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/VC/Images/PiazzaPHOTO.jpg)](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/90-mccauley-residents-pull-off-investment-miracle?hsLang=en-us) #### [90+ McCauley Residents Pull Off Investment Miracle](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/90-mccauley-residents-pull-off-investment-miracle?hsLang=en-us) [![BACK TO THE LATEST](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/316071/e6ffa9bb-4467-4833-8ecc-eb340b11d829.png)](http://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/316071/e6ffa9bb-4467-4833-8ecc-eb340b11d829) [![20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Administration/Tamarack%20Logos/20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png?width=3401&name=20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png "20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange")](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) ### Tamarack [Home](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) [Latest](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest) [Events](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/eventlisting?hsLang=en-us) [Donate](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/donate?hsLang=en-us) [About](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/whoweare?hsLang=en-us) ### Follow Us [** ** ](https://www.facebook.com/TamarackInstitute) [** ** ](https://twitter.com/Tamarack_Inst) [** ** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tamarack-institute-for-community-engagement)   In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth we honour and acknowledge that our work occurs across Turtle Island (North America), which has been home since time immemorial to the ancestors of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. ### Subscribe Be in the know. 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