Thank you Merle.
Your point about the old form of problem-solving, usually predicated
on a win-lose assumption; and the new form - on a win-win - brings up
something that seems important to discuss here at the Complex;
identity as exhibited through attitude and action.
How do we want to exchange information and ideas?
We so often talk about, and often act, from new ways of doing things.
'Dialogue' is perhaps more useful, both as ultimately more viable
and effective, and as an attitude we want to identify with.
This issue also slides toward the metaphoric concept of emergence: a
number of diverse elements from whose actions together something
altogether new emerges. That's what we sure have, a number of diverse
elements, like it or not. Classic 'debating', from what I have seen
in various academic arenas, tends to lean toward wit and arrogance,
rather than an actual conversation. Not actions together with others,
actions against others. Posturing, rather than a substantive exchange
of ideas.
We are all about substantive idea exchange, far as I can see.
I do appreciate that Tom is out there looking for solutions, though.
What else you got, Tom?
Tory
On Jul 6, 2009, at 1:08 PM, Merle Lefkoff wrote:
Tom,
The derivation of the word "debate" is the Latin word
"battere" (pound, beat, hit). The derivation of the word "dialogue"
is from the Greek "dialogos." "Dia" can mean "through", and "logos"
is "the word." The point here is that debate is an old form of
working through problems (although still with us like a vestigial
tail) and ratchets up confrontation to a win-lose dance. Dialogue
seeks to open space for creative, non-bifurcated thinking, that
leads to better outcomes on contentious issues. I'd hate to see
debate as a process reinforced on the Internet.
Merle
Tom Johnson wrote:
An interesting too that "might" assist some of our discussion.
http://debategraph.org/
-tj
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============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org
============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org
