11/01/2026
Deep conversations really are the best.
Credit to my brother-in-law for helping shape this reflection.
We’re often told not to talk about politics or religion but sometimes the most important conversations live right there.
The other night, my partner, my brother-in-law, and I were all having independent conversations about what’s happening in the world right now. Out of that came something simple, yet powerful:
Why do we keep trying to reinvent the wheel?
Why do we keep designing systems that look good on paper, but struggle in real life?
Why do we push change without fully understanding the long-term environmental, social, and human consequences — then repeat the same mistakes when they don’t work?
Instead of forcing impossible or poorly adapted systems, why aren’t we paying closer attention to what is already working around the world?
Here are 10 examples of systems that do work internationally systems we could learn from, adapt, and scale sensibly rather than starting from scratch:
1. Affordable, reliable public transport— Japan, Germany
2. Four-day work week trials improving wellbeing and productivity — Iceland, Belgium
3. Community-owned renewable energy reducing costs and emissions — Denmark, Germany
4. Education systems that prioritise learning over pressure — Finland, Norway
5. Preventative healthcare models that reduce long-term strain — Japan, Sweden
6. Strong protection for local farmers and food supply chains — France, Italy
7. Affordable housing treated as infrastructure, not speculation — Austria, Singapore
8. Local decision-making with real community input — Switzerland
9. Mental health integrated into everyday systems, not crisis-only care— Canada, Australia
10. Work–life balance built into culture and policy — Netherlands, Spain
The point isn’t to copy and paste another country’s model.
It’s to observe what works, understand why it works, and adapt it realistically to our own environment, population, and values —instead of forcing ideas that aren’t ready, affordable, or sustainable.
Progress doesn’t come from speed or stubbornness.
It comes from humility, learning, and thoughtful adaptation.
💭 What’s one system you think we should stop reinventing and start learning from?
