antidote collective

"The best moments usually occur when a person's body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile." ~ social psychologist Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi, Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention

We have the highest aims: to help transform the prevailing material culture and awaken a social and spiritual consciousness. To help counter the material, disheartening and destructive messages too rampant in our culture. To raise ethics and inspire creativity for a more open and sustainable society. To ignite the mind, tickle the emotions, and stir the soul — in all of our constituents: society at large, clients and their audiences, and Collective members and collaborators.

Tobias Wolff: "A true piece of writing is a dangerous thing. It can change your life." The same can be said for all communications. And in a sense, we want to endanger society — in a positive way, by opening its eyes, helping to transform consciousness.

We help others in their efforts to inspire a better world as well as conceive and produce our own projects. It's a difficult mission, but worthwhile.

"You can't solve problems with the same thinking that created them." ~ Albert Einstein

Antidote is a ray of light in a lackluster universe of communications groups. We offer an alternative to conventional paradigms. A place where passion and spirit float freely. Where personal freedoms and expression are encouraged and fun is a virtue. Where quality controls quantity. Where relationships are paramount, integrity is expected, and politics are nonexistent.

We're a communications organization in form but an artists collective in spirit. We believe that just as art can express the highest ideals of the human spirit and inspire others to positive change, so can mass communications. And we believe in the power of a collective of minds to do that.

We also believe in what we'll call considered unconventionality. Transcend the typical — with purpose. Strategic nonconformity, if you prefer. It's often a more difficult approach, but worthwhile — and not only for Czikszentmihalyi's "best moments" (quote, above right). Creativity — and relevance — in communications is necessary to break through audience ADD (attention deficit disorder) caused by the ever-increasing information glut and mind-numbing commercialism of our culture. It's necessary to penetrate individual consciousness and snap people from their trance. Truly connect with them. Arouse their intellect and emotions. Engaging them, enlightening them, and inspiring them. People want to be inspired. People need to be inspired.

We differentiate and position organizations with this in mind (see our consulting services). We write with this in mind (see writing philosophy). We're strategic and creative. Rational and imaginative.

We are not, however, dogmatic. We like to think we're immune to ideological, social, cultural, political and religious limitations.

These may sound like romantic, utopian visions, but we harbor no Don Quixote complexes. Though we aspire to — and are inspired by — the highest philosophical and spiritual ideals, we are grounded in pragmatic, day-to-day realities. "If passion drives, let reason hold the reins," advised wise Ben Franklin.

Apply antidote liberally.