The spur: Standard
A periodical of what we're up to, our thoughts on social change, and everything else.
Happy holidays!
A core tenet of our approach at spur: is that language is important—it fundamentally has the power to shape the world around us. Some people don't like the term "happy holidays" as they see it as an erasure of Christmas. So, let us explain why we use it at this time of year.
November to January is absolutely jam packed full of religious, semi-religious, and secular celebrations. There's Christmas, Hannukha, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Solstice, Las Posadas, Human Light, Hogmanay, New Years, and more. With so many celebrations saying just "Merry Christmas" feels like walking into a joint birthday party and wishing only one of them a happy birthday. And just because fewer people celebrate some of these compared to others, it doesn't make them any less important. So, instead of listing out each of these or assuming who celebrates what, we use the term happy holidays as a catch all.
So, for those reading who celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas! For those who celebrate Hanukkah, Happy Hanukkah, etc. Or, just a happy holidays to you all!
- Lee and the spur: team
Case study
Creating intergenerational friendships to reduce social isolation
spur·org · #OLDMATE
Elders across Australia suffer from chronic loneliness and the highest rate of suicide for any age group. How do we create new connections and friendships for an often marginalised group?
The #OLDMATE program launched with a call for young Australians to pledge to find and spend time with their 'old mate', with a curated selection of activities, opportunities, and ways to connect.
#OLDMATE was awarded a Good Design award in 2020, and has helped thousands of Australians to forge new cross-generational friendships. During COVID-19, spur: worked with Ipsos to develop a landmark study in the effects of cross-generational friendships and loneliness.
News
Rational Games
We're delighted to announce that conflict resolution specialists (amongst other things), Rational Games, has joined the 123+ family as a partner network organisation to help create a world that fair, safe, and just for LGBTIQ+ communities.
To round out 2021's final standard, we thought we'd share with you our favourite holiday media to get you in the spirit:
- Lee's recommendation · Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox's version of Have Yourself a Merry Christmas (featuring vocal by Von Smith).
- Together: Loneliness, Health and What Happens When We Find Connection, by Vivek Murthy, a former US Surgeon General explores the modern malady of loneliness and how to build a more connected world.
December 1, 2021
