Only a drawing room comedy in the spirit of Oscar Wilde, could do justice to Albert Ruesaga's post on limning a theory of change for use in fleecing, placating, or shining on grantmakers lost in their own world of Laplacian Social Physics. I imagine Albert giving this post as a lecture, in his livingroom, as his dog Gracie, bites the ankle of the distinguished looking gentleman, Earnest Dogood, Head of Mega-Engineering Foundation. Earnest in agony, repents his logcentric commitment to pseudo-social-science, as his heart opens, in gratitude to the Hispanic maid who staunches his wound. He commits a big grant to her church, St Mary's, whose Rector raises a tipsy toast, with three cheers and a pip pip. The Empress Dowager raises her hand for Earnest to kiss, and his soul and social standing are saved. Albert then announces that this was his theory of change all along, and that Gracie was trained for just such a catalytic service. Bark, bark! Gracie licks Earnest's hand, and good order is restored on earth as it will be in heaven, if our well laid plans work out as we intend. In the epiloque, Earnest steps forward, Be assured the world at bottom is reasonable. Not a sparrow falls by chance. All is well under control. We are rich and wise for good reason. God save the Queen!
Well I for one am relieved.
Posted by: Curator | March 20, 2014 at 06:20 PM
We live in the best of all possible worlds. Our role is to keep it that way.
Posted by: Phil Cubeta | March 20, 2014 at 09:15 PM
A theory of change prevention - someone must have that because it is working so well.
Posted by: Phil Cubeta | March 20, 2014 at 09:16 PM
Of course insisting on a theory of change forestalls change and so serves the greatest good of those in charge.
Posted by: Phil Cubeta | March 20, 2014 at 09:17 PM
Now you've got me thinking about Goldsmith and Sheridan, with the Dowager Empress replaced, perhaps, by Lady Sneerwell, and the Hispanic Maid by Mrs. Malaprop.
Posted by: Curator | March 20, 2014 at 10:38 PM
Yes, we are on the right track. Celebrate Folly! That is a proven theory of change. Candide might be good precedent. From such seeds (Voltaire) came a revolution in thought, taste, and political arrangements.
Posted by: Phil Cubeta | March 21, 2014 at 08:50 AM
I hear it wasn't funded by Ford because citizen-activists forgot to attach their Form 990. Also, the Enlightenment Program Officer had decided to focus on Enlightened Absolutism, as in, "There are good reasons why I should be in charge."
Posted by: Curator | March 21, 2014 at 01:04 PM
Be assured the world at bottom is reasonable.
Posted by: Shoe | March 28, 2014 at 10:58 PM
Bottoms up to reason!
Posted by: dqkelley | April 01, 2014 at 11:10 PM
Come,let us drink!, as Rabelais said. First Mardi Gras, then Lent. The world turned upside down over and over. That too, is a theory of change.
Posted by: Phil Cubeta | April 03, 2014 at 09:40 PM