I want to start a talking point group. Here are my unrules that I hope would facilitate discussion.
- There is a topic.
The topic might be decided in advance (for advertising), or democratically on the day.
Everyone should reference the topic in some way.
The topic isn’t an advertising ploy that is forgotten about as soon as the discussion starts. - There is a moderator to facilitate discussion.
The moderator can take reasonable action to facilitate discussion such as timing comments, speaking lists, and requesting that some people refrain for a period.
If the moderator is always the same person, there will be a natural bias develop. Mix it up. Gain skills, have fun. - No minutes are taken.
If someone wants to write notes they are welcome to, but it is not done as a matter of course.
The point of conversation is the process of learning and discovery, not the enshrinement of our special product.
Making more work for someone (the minute-taker) creates a hierarchy of exploitation. - Anyone who calls for “less talk more action” is an agent provocatuer and should be asked to leave.
Action grows from theory, theory grows from honest analysis of the world. More action traps us in a cycle of powerlessness and frenetic energy that we don’t understand. - Rules mean nothing if they’re not agreed to willingly.
Rules should be flexible.
Rules should be reasonable.
Rules should have purpose.
