The proposal here is to organise a series of physical space events linked into LD / Votorolla online debates. The concrete targets for these events that are on my roadmap are: <ol><li>October 28th - Berlin at the <a href="http://www.haus-schwarzenberg.org/">Haus Schwartzenberg</a></li> <li>Dec 27, 2010 - <a href="http://www.wikicfp.com/cfp/servlet/event.showcfp?eventid=11091&copyownerid=8774">CCC Conference</a> - Berlin</li><li>Spring Term University Tour - UK and elsewhere...</li><li>May 5th 2011 - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_Alternative_Vote_referendum,_2011">Referendum in UK on changing electoral system to "alternative vote"</a></li> </ol>I think if we brain storm around this for a while, there will equally be possibilities of events and activites that can take place in communities that are connected to communities that I know nothing about. This is suggested here as a starting point and to indicate that what i am proposing has a concrete basis that we could build on. The format that I am proposing for these events are based on the structure of an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconference">Unconference</a>, which in turn evolved from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Space_Technology">Open Space Meetings</a> in the 1990's. I am proposing a modified version of these events as participatry or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_the_Oppressed#Legislative_theatre">Legislative Theatre</a>. The modifications are to take much of the formal structure with regarding decisions, and actions onto the supporting Liquid Democracy / Votorolla web site, and to tip the Unconference format more towards the theatrical, through engaging charismatic speakers, and the use of video projection and the choice of venue. However the essential nature of open space meetings and active participation would be maintained. Additionally I am proposing that the events can be networked, that is it is possible to have several events taking place at different locations, allowing lower cost and more intimate conversations. These networked events do not have to be highly technical, a meeting in a cafe or someones house would be fine, but they do participate in the online LD facilitated follow-up. I am proposing a significant use of video, embedding Usteam / Justin.TV live streams, and mobile platforms, and am confident regarding the technical aspect of realising this in simple but effective ways. Core to this approach is the use of high quality video to stimulate debate on topics of interest to the "show", and being able to invite interesting characters to these events where they can participate by video, or in person live. I have an archive of suitable material for this. Narrative It is important to give these events a clear narrative. The background context, the safe-bet for these events is to arrange a series of debates on democracy, and alternative visions surrounding the topic leading up to the UK referendum on this issue. However I believe we can and should push this agenda in a more creative and playful narrative direction. The thinking here is very similar to the "Forest / Ranger" visual metaphor outlined by Micheal and Thomas. This heading for me is the same concept as - "Interface Work (game Play)" - in that I believe we can and should involve game developers and architects in the design of these visual metaphoras part of the game-play involved in the events, where the core game-play involves the active use of LD, Legislative Theatre and other more playful experiments in democracy. In short i think it is very helpful to engender a more playful and experimental approach with communities, as it is VERY easy for democratic discussions to get hijacked by vested interests, and degenerate into heated circular arguments. In this setting the newcomer runs a mile, and even the committed developer loses enthusiasm. Heat is good, but it has to be the right sort of heat. The measure of success for these events would be to sign up a large active community, engaged in using LD to debate and decide on concrete issues - but there first taste of this should be fun - a positive community experience, which gives a glimpse of how a new form of politics can be creative, passionate and not aggressive and nerdy. More later... -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Votorola" group. To post to this group, send an email to votorola@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to votorola+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/votorola?hl=en-GB.