Hic dracones is a sort of an urban legend for history and geography buffs.  The story is that ancient maps used to denote unexplored territory with the term “hic sunt dracones” or “hic dracones,” which meant, “Here be [lies] dragons.”  In other words, we know that there are dragons, but we haven’t seen any, so they’re probably over there in this area we don’t really know much about.

In point of known fact, only one such map either exists or has survived, and so the idea that this mark was common may be legend.  However, it still provides a useful metaphor.

Hic dracones strives to constantly explore new territory and challenge old “mapping.”  We resist the idea that bad outcomes and scary monsters lie outside our comfort zone, and move forward to consider and include constantly evolving notions.

Hic dracones is an interdisciplinary research and consultancy firm focusing on change at many levels, from macro to micro.  Because we operate within the overlap of several disciplines, we therefore refer to them all:  project management, development, planning, systems thinking, public health, law, economics, psychology, community development, sustainability, agriculture, anthropology, business and more.  True innovation is the product of interdisciplinary Gestalt:  the most pivotal discoveries and inventions in history were predicated on patterning and links made by Renaissance or systems thinkers who would now be mislabeled dilettantes.  We are interested in not just seeing, but understanding the territory in more accurate, more complete and more wonderful ways than before.

Whatever old “map” you are following, please check in from time to time to see if it still provides the best route to your destination.

Contact: Info@hicdracones.com