In the Spotlight: Kevin Triplett
From Machines to People and his Journey into Village
At 63, Kevin Triplett, one of our Village Builders, has lived a life filled with engineering precision, global experiences, and a deepening curiosity about people and community.
A retired electrical engineer from Texas, Kevin’s career took him to Saudi Arabia, where he lived for 8 years in “Central Engineering”, maintaining standards and supporting major projects. Beyond engineering, he also designed and built computers and radios and even ventured into documentary filmmaking. But Kevin’s most profound journey wasn’t through circuits and machines - it was through people.
From Machines to People
As a young engineer, Kevin found machines predictable and logical. In contrast, people felt chaotic, complex, and unpredictable. “That’s what scared me about people,” he admits. “Machines are simple and straightforward - they just do what they’re programmed to do, but people…people are squishy and hard and crunchy and soft. Once I got to understand people though, I was able to relax and connect.”
This realization came through deep self-exploration. He first had to understand himself (his own patterns, strategies, and emotions) before he could truly engage with others. Once he grasped that people, at their core, have good hearts and that everyone has their own personal challenges, he was able to relate to them more, which shifted his perspective about people.
Finding Community in Emergent Commons
Kevin’s curiosity about people and systems led him to Emergent Commons, an online community offshoot of Rebel Wisdom, where he met Jason Sears, one of VillageCo’s co-founders. Through their sensemaking course, he became part of Emergent Commons, a diverse group dedicated to exploring philosophy, psychology, science, art, and deep relational spaces. It was here that Kevin decided to introduce the Village model.
He recently hosted his first Village gathering, stepping straight into the role of facilitator. He ensured that every participant had a voice, tracking engagement on paper and guiding the conversation toward an open space discussion on “What is a Village?” The consensus was clear - Village was a perfect fit for their community. While Emergent Commons had various groups and clubs, it lacked collective in-person events for relationship-building. His gathering bridged that gap, sparking enthusiasm for future gatherings and discussions on leadership, volunteering, and engagement.
Village as a Tool for Connection and Democracy
For Kevin, Village isn’t just about bringing people together - it’s about strengthening democracy. His passion for community took root during a trip to Stockholm and Amsterdam, where he explored technology for collective decision-making. He realized that for these tools to work, people needed relationships and trust. “These new experiments in democracy,” he says, “need people who know each other before making decisions together.”
When I asked how he approaches people’s hesitance to engage, he responds that it is with faith and trust “I have to believe it’s for our mutual benefit and that it’s going to be a positive experience, no matter what. They could meet their lifelong friend; the right people will show up.”
Today, as a Village builder, he strives to create a community where everyone has the opportunity and space to express themselves, take on roles and contribute meaningfully to a humanistic and democratic cause.
Memorable Moments and Looking Forward
Reflecting on his gatherings, Kevin recalls the impact of simple yet powerful moments - meeting another retiree who shared his financial concerns, witnessing someone courageously sharing a life-changing event, and realizing that by the end of each gathering, strangers felt a little more like friends.
For Kevin, Village isn’t just a model - it’s a mission. By bringing it into Emergent Commons and beyond, he’s proving that meaningful community is not only possible but essential. His gatherings are just the beginning of a larger movement, one where technology, democracy, and deep human connection intertwine to shape the future.
Food for Thought:
How do you feel when you first meet new people?
What were some positive experiences that you’ve had from attending an event where you didn’t know anyone?
What are some “commonalities” that you have found you can relate to when meeting new people?
I know Kevin from Emergent Commons (he's the only person in EC I've met in person), and was part of the online Village gathering pictured above. It's great to hear about aspects of his life I hadn't known before.
What a fantastic, inspiring story! As I was reading about Kevin and his uniquely adventuresome life, I kept thinking, "I'm so grateful to have met this person!!"
I don't know Kevin well, but I've really appreciated his thoughtful presence at some online gatherings I've attended. Thank goodness for people like him in this world!
And thank you, Loisel, for telling his story in such a thought-provoking, articulate way.