Hello friend,
After a busy start of the autumn with events waking up, I’ve been thinking a lot about trust. Not the kind of trust you “click to accept” in a privacy policy. Not the glossy brand promise in a billboard, but the human kind. The kind you feel when someone looks you in the eye and says, “I’ve got you.”
I noticed how much trust grows in small, repeated moments:
- a neighbour bringing cucumbers from their garden,
- a friend checking in just because,
- a stranger holding the door a second longer than necessary.
It reminded me that in an AI-saturated, hyper-automated world, it’s the people that makes us feel safe. Here’s my TEDx talk where I spoke about how to build trust in an AI and power-driven world.
🤪 Enter the Modern Kylähullu
In Finnish villages, there’s always been the kylähullu — the “crazy person” who dares to say what others won’t, shows up in unexpected ways, and connects people who’d otherwise stay strangers.
But this character isn’t uniquely Finnish. Cultures around the world have their own versions:
- In England and much of Europe, the village idiot or court fool could speak truths to power with humor.
- In the Netherlands, the dorpsgek is a quirky town eccentric – someone memorable, not always mocked.
- In Germany, the Dorftrottel carries a similar meaning, while the Exzentriker (eccentric) often enlivens shared spaces.
- In India, the chappani is the village simpleton – sometimes dismissed, yet paradoxically reflecting the community’s own acceptance of difference.
- And worldwide, the Fool, Jester, or Trickster appears in folklore: Shakespeare’s Fool, African Anansi, Native American Coyote – all showing how breaking taboos creates laughter, reflection, and bonding.
These “outsiders” play an essential social role. They invite us to drop our guard, join in spontaneity, and question stale norms.
I think we need modern kylähullus now more than ever.
In the age of deepfakes, algorithmic feeds, and automated replies, we need people who build trust manually, with their own two hands (and hearts). By the way, kudos to Denmark for passing the world’s first law to protect your identity in the fight against deepfakes.
For me, being a modern kylähullu means:
- Asking a follow-up question when someone says “I’m fine.”
- Sharing the spotlight, not hoarding it.
- Introducing people across my network who could help each other.
- Speaking up when it’s uncomfortable.
I want to highlight more of these trust-builders in my work; people who show us what it looks like to be brave, human, and a little unconventional. This is why we created the Suomi+ podcast with 15 guests across Finland, where I vouch they all are modern kylahullu in their field.
💡 Here’s your challenge this month
Name one thing you can do today that costs nothing but builds trust.
Do it for someone in your “village” (workplace, LinkedIn, neighbourhood, daycare, hobby club).
Tell them why you thought of them.
Small actions ripple outwards. In a year’s time, your village (digital or physical) will feel more human.
Until next time,
Kamilla
Business Event Host & Speaker • Connector • Modern Kylähullu in Training
P.S. If you know someone worth highlighting for their trust-building micro actions, hit reply and tell me about them.
