Makesensemess is the nerdiest party of the year.

Party with us, the nerdy way:

Watch the 2021 Event
Replay for FREE!

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of the 2022 Event Replay

Purchase Video Access
of the 2023 Event Replay

Every year, sensemakers gather all over the world to reflect on how hard, yet rewarding sensemaking work is.

For the 2023 event, members of our community were asked to share a time they realized just how subjective reality is, as inspired by a line from How to Make Sense of Any Mess.

“It’s our job to uncover subjective reality.”

- Abby Covert

The stories submitted ranged from deeply nerdy, to deeply personal. The ones we selected were a balance of both with a special eye towards stories that are both deeply nerdy AND deeply personal.

Some stories you were set at work, while others were set in a less professional setting. Some tackled topics that are incredibly niche to their circumstances, while others were more common experiences many of us share.

When all these stories were told together we hope they speak to the hopefulness to be found in embracing subjectivity.

We work hard to make sure each brave sensemaker who takes the virtual stage feels confident, and warmly welcomed. If you want to virtually cheer them on, I hope you will purchase a the event replay.

Below is the growing list of organizations we are proud to have had past speakers of Makesensemess support with their storytelling.

DAVE GRAY

A Sensemaker’s Welcome

One of Abby's favorite storytellers, visual thinkers and authors of all time joined us to talk about the subjectivity of reality. Dave Gray opened our event with a talk about his lifetime interest in cataloging visual frameworks, and just how subjective that interest can be to pursue.

ABBY COVERT

Perfectionism, meet Subjectivity

In her annual keynote address to the Sensemakers Club community Abby Covert confronted the messiest mess of them all: confronting perfectionism. This talk reflected on the mental model data Abby has secretly been collecting about her students' lines of questioning.

STORIES OF SUBJECTIVE REALITY FROM

FIVE BRAVE SENSEMAKERS

Each presenter prepared a 10 minute story about a time when they realized reality is subjective.

Illustration of person with many stories

JENNY BENEVENTO

Make Sense Meat!!

A taxonomist and sensemaker extraordinaire shared the joy and pain to be found at the depths of life's organizational structures. Reflecting on the taxonomies as far afield as cuts of meat, diagram types, and maybe even hair dolls or juggalos – this talk about bias in meta data is the cherry on top of our Makesensemess sundae.

ALFI OLOO

Make More Mentors

Alfi Oloo, one of our Sensemakers in Residence, joined Abby to share our vision for what’s next and how you can get involved.

Buy Video Access

Makesensemess already took place, but that doesn't mean you have to miss the fun.

Buying a ticket after the event still provides access to watch a video recording of the event once it is available.

We offer a sliding scale of pricing to make this event more accessible to a more diverse group of people each year.

There is no proof required about eligibility for a certain price nor will you ever be questioned. Please pay whichever your heart feels is right and your wallet (or manager) can afford.