Talking Circles

[Tormod]

hug

 

I cannot do anything without approval. It appears that no moderator or administrator will give me approval.

 

I have no clue as to what it is that you need approval for? All members may start threads already.

[coberst]

I have no clue as to what it is that you need approval for? All members may start threads already.

 

CraigD suggested this procedure when I placed a thread "Talking Circle" on the suggestion forum. In the last paragraph you will find his statement about seeking aproval.

 

The following is a copy of CraigD's post to me.

 

I propose the following procedure:

Thread-starting post describes topic for discussion, and Talking Circle Thread procedure (these steps), including “Start” date/time that must be reached before discussion can begin.

Until Start is reached, participants post a single “Join” post. No content beyond the word “join” is allowed in these posts. If the thread starter wishes to be a participant, they may post a “Join” post.

After Start is reached, the post starter (or the first member to post a Join post) posts a “Begin” post containing a single (possibly wrapped) line listing of the circle order, which is in order of the Join posts. Again, no additional content is allowed in this post.

The first person in the order list – the “talking stick holder”:

Posts any content he wishes

Ends his post with the order, his name moved from the front of the list to the back.

This step is repeated indefinitely.

At any time after Start a new participant may post a single “Join” post. Upon posting, the current stick holder adds her to the end of the list, immediately before their own name.

At any time, a participant may post a single “Un-join” post. This post may contain nothing but the word “Un-join”. Upon posting, the current stick holder removes him from the order.

When the current talking stick holder makes no post, the discussion is effectively ended.

In the spirit of experimentation with new things, if this procedure is agreeable to all, I suggest that somebody (Coberst?) start a thread as described in the procedure.

 

Before doing so, however, I propose he state the forum in which he will start the first TCT, and that a moderator for that thread (or an administrator) post their approval and willingness to serve as the rule enforcer/mistake fixer for it.

[Tormod]

My apologies, coberst. I did not see that requirement.

 

I am sorry but I am unable to act as assistant here. But I will put it to the attention of all the mods right away.

[hug]

coberst, I saw your post about approval and the response. Although I'm very new here of course, it sounds like the approval you're looking for (consistent with the other person's advice to seek it) mainly has to do with the question or helpfulness of the extras of management/policing associated with the specific aspects of a TCT. So, if an administrator is willing to do that -- if it fits within their interest, site rules, and their limited resource of time -- that would be great. If it works well as a dialogue tool, to help groups of people get to the bottom of questions/topics, then perhaps the site would even offer an option, which could be somewhat automated in a way (like they do with polls) to allow small groups of people to do Talking Circles without requiring much administrative time. So, it could be viewed as research. As with almost any research, the first time ya do it, it often involves extra care and attention, and manual labor, because the automated processes and frameworks aren't set up yet. But if it works well, they can then set up some automated frameworks or back-end programming to make the Talking Circle approach a regular option for certain purposes.

 

Just a thought.

 

So, if an administrator is willing to help "manage" this particular thread of yours as a Talking Circle, on a research basis, that would be a good idea if resources allow. If not, a group of us can still treat the thread as a Talking Circle, adhere to the approach ourselves (as well as we can), get along without any specific/unique policing, and politely let any midstream newcomers to the thread know that they are entering a Talking Circle with thread-specific norms of dialogue, although they would be welcome if they'll follow those norms.

 

Good luck. Let me know if/when I can help.

[coberst]

hug

 

I agree completely. I suspect that sooner or later someone will step forward and say yes. I guess the problem is that each is waiting for the other to take the job.

[InfiniteNow]

hug

 

I agree completely. I suspect that sooner or later someone will step forward and say yes. I guess the problem is that each is waiting for the other to take the job.

 

This is getting ridiculous, coberst. How about you just start the thread and if something requires moderation or administration, you take the onus to contact a staff member about it as needed.

 

I can't believe you've wasted so much time "waiting" for someone to... how'd you put it?... take the job. Everyone here will help when needed, and I find your continued need for a site representative to support your idea more than they have already... childish.

[TheBigDog]

hug

 

I agree completely. I suspect that sooner or later someone will step forward and say yes. I guess the problem is that each is waiting for the other to take the job.

Coberst, I will help you with this in Philosophy and Humanities and Theology as needed. If you need something send me a PM. I check in daily.

 

I am interested to see how this shapes up. :naughty:

 

Bill

[hug]

It seems like we are ready to go then, right? Starting in a couple or few days, as mentioned in an earlier message?

 

coberst, have you selected a good topic, or a list of a few options?

 

I'm ready when everyone else is, even if we start with a small number of folks. Looking forward to it. Cheers.

 

"hug"

[coberst]

hug

 

I have started the thread already. It is my thread "Becoming an infant one more time".