One of the most important features of Interactivity Foundation discussion projects is the emphasis on exploring contrasting perspectives and developing contrasting policy possibilities. Along the way to doing this, panelists need to practice being open to perspectives and possibilities beyond… Read More »
Tag Archives: generating possibilities
March 7, 2011
Two Lessons for Better Group Thinking
By: Jeff Prudhomme
Posted in Perspectives | Also tagged consensus, contrasting possibilities, discussion process, Project Discussions, small groups | Leave a comment
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March 3, 2011
What could we do? vs What should we do?
By: Ieva Notturno
‘What should we do?’ seems to be a fulcrum of our public discussions today. This is a question that is raised in the streets of Madison and Washington alike. The question—‘What should we do?’—is a precursor to action. It recognizes… Read More »
Posted in Perspectives | Also tagged attitude, citizen discussions, civic engagement, conceptual possibilities, contrasting possibilities, conversations, governance | Leave a comment
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January 10, 2011
Playing with Metaphors
By: Jeff Prudhomme
When IF project panels are beginning the transition to generating public policy ideas, I’ve found it helpful to have the panelists explore different metaphors for thinking about the policy area. Metaphors can capture a distinct vision of what the policy… Read More »
Posted in Perspectives | Also tagged conceptual possibilities, contrasting possibilities, creativity, discussion process, facilitation, Project Discussions | Leave a comment
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December 8, 2010
Getting Our Own Goose Bumps and Generating Creative Possibilities
By: Jeff Prudhomme
I’ve often wondered what an IF facilitator might do in a Sanctuary Project to encourage a discussion panel to generate some truly creative policy possibilities. There are times when a discussion panel might struggle with moving off the line. They… Read More »
Posted in Perspectives | Also tagged conceptual possibilities, creativity, discussion process, facilitation | Leave a comment
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October 12, 2010
The White Stripes, Obstacles, Tensions, and Creativity
By: Jeff Prudhomme
Near the end of the rock documentary The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights, the White Stripe’s frontman, Jack White, talks about the importance of obstacles and tensions for his creative process (Read More »
Posted in Perspectives | Also tagged creativity, discussion process, facilitation, Project Discussions | Leave a comment
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September 8, 2010
If An Idea Does Not Sound Absurd, Then There’s No Hope For It
By: Jeff Prudhomme
“If an idea does not sound absurd, then there’s no hope for it.”—Albert Einstein
I recently came across these words from Albert Einstein in the context of an interview on the topic “Does Science Fiction Predict… Read More »
Posted in Perspectives | Also tagged contrasting possibilities, discussion process | Leave a comment
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August 14, 2010
What makes IF reports unique?
By: Ieva Notturno
First, IF reports neither make recommendations nor aim for consensus. Most of the public policy reports produced today end with a list of things that must be done to avert Armageddon. It is true that IF reports often include lists… Read More »
Posted in Perspectives | Also tagged conceptual possibilities, Discussion Reports | Leave a comment
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August 14, 2010
Development of Possibilities in “Difficult” Policy Areas
By: Dennis Boyer
Despite warnings from colleagues and apoplectic reactions from partisans of various stripes, I have been working during the last year to see if it is possible to develop general starting points for discussion of climate change. These efforts first came… Read More »
Posted in Perspectives | Also tagged citizen discussions, conceptual possibilities, contrasting possibilities, discussion process, Public Discussions | Leave a comment
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July 15, 2010
IF Discussion Reports as Lightweight Batons
By: Adolf Gundersen
IF’s public discussion Reports are akin to the curricular materials that all teachers rely on—with two critical differences. First, citizens–no less than experts—have a say in what IF Reports say. Second, and even more importantly, the end of IF Reports… Read More »
Posted in Perspectives | Also tagged citizen discussions, conceptual possibilities, Discussion Reports, Public Discussions | Leave a comment
Policy Possibilities as Storylines
Our Interactivity Foundation project discussions focus on developing contrasting conceptual policy possibilities as different ways that our society might approach an area of emerging social and political concern. At first blush this sounds a bit too technical for most folks.… Read More »
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