Sudden Thoughts And Second Thoughts
Hm. I'm feeling some of this at the moment. "... a lone dissenter is likely to fear voicing his or her opinion because with technology tools backlash can be magnified and distributed far more quickly. So even if there are some flaws in the post - a lone dissenter is unlikely to make that known for fear of instant backlash." I have been thinking today about the distinction between groups and networks. Groups require unity, networks require diversity. Groups require coherence, networks require autonomy. Groups require privacy or segregation, networks require openness. Groups require focus of voice, networks require interaction. The group I am with right now is very intent on being a group. That doesn't interest me. I have no wish to lose my identity and my freedom, my empowerment. Because a group is subject to this very objection - backlash, groupthink, the works. But a network is not. StevenB, ACRLog, September 21, 2006. [Link] [Tags: Networks, Privacy Issues, Interaction, Gaming] [Previous][Next]Comments
Re: Sudden Thoughts And Second Thoughts
Hi Stephen, I too am thinking about groups and networks. I am tasked with organizing a cross sectoral group of workers (youth workers, teachers, health workers etc) to form a comunity of practice that would generate new thinking and ways to engage youth who are experiencing poverty and homelessness. I appreciate your musing on this as it has helped me see why I tilting towards the network formation is a more appropriate way to help this process evolve. All the best, Brent MacKinnon [Comment] [Permalink] [Previous][Next]
Re: Sudden Thoughts And Second Thoughts
I'm finding myself both agreeing and disagreeing with you Stephen, and in the end, I find that by making these distinctions we looks the diversity of types of groups and networks, especially the places that arise between them. To be simplistic, network-like groups and group-like networks. What baffles me is your assertion that in groups we lose our identity and freedom. I think that is a very narrow definition of groups. Some groups are indeed places where we nuture and expand our identities, gain new freedoms - but different kinds of freedoms. Why is the distinction so important? Why are networks immune to groupthink? (I don't think they are immune, but perhaps it is harder.) I feel some anguish here. Am I reading in too much? I'm deeply interested because I'm thinking a lot these days about the dynamic tension between individual and group and individual and network and, perhaps I should be thinking about the tension between group and network. By the way, I don't see these tensions as something that needs to be or even should be resolved. It is a force at play. It shows up in our tools and practices. [Comment] [Permalink] [Previous][Next]
Re: Sudden Thoughts And Second Thoughts
oops, forgot to sign that. That last comment was from me, with my multiple identities of Nancy White and choconancy. ;-) [Comment] [Permalink] [Previous][Next]
Re: Sudden Thoughts And Second Thoughts
Groups in organizations tend to be formed to achieve convergence (of ideas) and produce a 'product' or end result. The may start off looking and sounding like a network, engaging in divergent thinking and discussion, but eventually they have to achieve closure. And that's good, because that's how products and services are brought to market. Networks are formed to FEED in to one of:
- The egos of those involved
- The work of groups
- Both
Networks can make me feel liberated, alive, open to new things...without requiring me to make a commitment to an outcome, without accountability
Groups, while requiring some divergent thinking, ultimately require me to be accountable, to work collaboratively with others to achieve a specific outcome.
There is definitely room for both, and they can feed off each other.
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Re: Sudden Thoughts And Second Thoughts
> And that's good, because that's how products and services are brought to market.
That begs the question - aka "that's how we do it now so that's how it should be done"
Moreover, it's not clear that it's true. Many products and services are brought to market without this group-type work. [Comment]
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