In our current model, we rely on leaders, experts, and "gurus" to explain the world, impart knowledge, tell us what to do and where to go. The product of leaders, experts, and gurus is manifested in many ways: through policies, directives, large scale social action, and punditry.

This reliance on and empowerment of leaders, experts, and gurus is misguided and is eroding trust in governments, institutions, and organizations.

Alternatively, scientists, teachers, and intellectuals operate more like "guides" - people who discover and share knowledge to empower others to act. The product of guides are, confusingly, also guides. Guides present a world view, a process, an explanation, or a summary and necessarily evolve as new knowledge is discovered. They seek to influence thinking and action, not prescribe it.

We live in a complex and constantly evolving world. Navigating change - starting a new job or career, big life events, or global climate change - we would benefit from guides to help us navigate the way.

Guides have been what we've turned to for help for a millenia. They can help us understand difficult topics. They can help us through a process (Ikea furniture?). And they can help us explore new places from trusted sources who've done it before.

Imagine if we could collectively share our knowledge to help each other?