At Pandemic our mission is to make creativity infectious. We do that with the works we share online in the hopes of inspiring others to put their ideas into the world, and by actively engaging with those who’d like to create something but aren’t sure where to start.

When we create, regardless of the medium used, we’re telling a story —stories of us as individuals and as a society. Stories of how we are, were, should, or could be. However, unless we are conscious of and actively working against the biases we were born into, they will seep into everything we make. 

While creating just for the creation’s sake is great, we’d like to experiment with doing something more. With shared principles, we can practice creating with the intention to push against our unjust biases. 

If you agree with the principles you’re welcome to join Pandemic and contribute your inspirational energy. If just one point of the principles resonates with your work you are welcome to submit it. Either way, there are no obligations and we’d be happy to hear from you. 

You’ll find the principles and a brief description of the thoughts behind them below. In the coming days we will begin sharing our own works so you can see the principles in action.

1. The revolution must be ongoing.
   Utopias are unattainable because the world is forever in flux. Revolutions promise better lives and can provide that until the moment they try to prevent the next one. The less destructive path is to accept that revolution will come again.

2. Ideas can change.
   Everything about our society changes over time, so eventually, even the best ideas become outdated. The challenge is to make sure ideas are continuously developing to be better. It is never a mistake to push an idea to move it closer to the truth of the matter.

3. The meaning of life is to keep living.
   At the most basic level, life functions to perpetuate life. We must strive to ensure that this purpose is pursued in the most egalitarian way possible. 

4. Those in power must be willing to give up power.
   To create a just society, those who have access to power, respect, and resources need to be willing to step aside for those who do not. 

5. Use the tools at your disposal.
   Not everyone has access to the same resources and that puts them on different paths even if they’re aiming for the same goal. Take the time to recognize the tools available to you. 

6. Know the distinction between needs and wants.
   The drive to get what we want shouldn’t outweigh the obligation to ensure everyone has what they need.

7. Recognize that a lesser evil is still evil. *
   Change is often incremental and requires compromise. It may be necessary to choose the lesser evil, but do not lose sight of the fact it was still evil. 

8. Challenge your complacency.
   Becoming complacent happens to all of us but staying complacent is a choice. Hold yourself to a higher standard. 

9. Know the limits of tolerance.
   Tolerating things like bigotry, dishonesty, and corruption allows them to become acceptable. At a certain point, tolerance must give way to resistance.

10. Humanity’s future is among the stars.**
    In order to keep living, changing, and exploring new ideas humanity must exist among the stars. We need space to allow radically different versions of us to flourish. 

*See Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher
**See Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower

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