Eric Fisher

Contemplating the self, society, relationships and how we can be more clear in our communication.

I studied psychology and computer graphics at UPenn and have spent my career working at Facebook, Google, Apple and other tech firms designing digital social products while exploring the nature of self.

For me, the process of design is quite similar to that of therapy: taking a big complex idea and breaking it down into its simple components to uncover its core essence so that then you may consciously manifest it in this reality. Whether it's a chair, a physical space, a digital product or an identity, it requires an awareness of discipline and structure, but also compassion and love. Applied to self, that's a mindfulness practice.

After my own successful experience in therapy which taught me this mindfulness, I decided my default identity wasn't working for me and left my comfortable but stagnant life to travel around and live in various cities, each time using mindful practices to shed my default identity and try on new ones. Through this process, I was improvising, putting myself in new social situations and, instead of protecting and defending "who I was," I facilitated interactions that allowed and encouraged me to become whatever they required so as to converge and create connections.

It soon became apparent that the approach I had taken for myself matched quite well with the principles of improv but it was rare to see it taught as a mindful practice. I started devising and leading some workshops with this approach and came to find it quite enjoyable and healing, both for me and those who participated. Sharing self exploration in safe spaces is super!

Practicing mindful improv has helped me become far more confident because it's trained me to see my "self" as merely a character, previously unconsciously but now consciously constructed. With less attachment to ego/identity, I feel I've stepped into a greater awareness and sense of love. If everyone did this, I believe the world would really, actually change.