The recent special issue of Emergence: Coherence and Organization on ‘complexity and storytelling’ suggested that the integration of these two areas of study could be more fruitful than even its co-editors expected. In fact, the articles in this issue indicate that a combination of the two approaches toward applying storytelling to human systems – retrospective sensemaking and antecedent variety-making – may provide a guide to the basic dynamics of all human systems. As a result, we invite you to join us in a unique interactive workshop, in association with the Institute for the Study of Coherence and Emergence, scheduled for October 27-29, 2006 in Historic Old Mesilla, NM. The question we will be exploring is: How fully can the dynamics of complex human systems be described as the emergent results of people enacting the stories they create to explain their interactions?

Our early stage investigation into these issues presents a unique opportunity to exponentially expand work in the field.  This small gathering of top pioneers in it will pursue the topic through their own engagement in retrospective-dialog as well as the dialogic that precedes sensemaking.  Because of the intensive nature of this intellectual exploration, we are keeping attendance to 30. If the results are as provocative as we expect, we will also host a conference in Spring 2007, designed to accommodate more participants.

A CUTTING-EDGE TOPIC

Among the questions we hope to examine are: How do complexity studies suggest that human systems generate adaptive behavior through narrative and story? What, exactly, are the story and narrative equivalents of attractors? How do retrospective sensemaking and antecedent story variety-making interact as force and counterforce in complexity?

In recent years, thinkers such as Karl Weick and David Boje have examined story and complexity in organizations from two vantage points. Weick stresses the retrospective sensemaking of experience and narrative-plots of coherence and control by which people story current experience to fit into past meaning structures. Boje emphasizes the variety-making and fragmenting aspects of story as people seek to transform their current experience into meaning structures that may be new. We believe the combination of these perspectives offers a revolutionary breakthrough in complexity thinking. What was surprising about the special issue of E:CO on this subject was the range of areas explored, which included proposals for articles on economics, healthcare, and law. Many of these proposals, as well as the finished articles, exhibited the excitement of discovery, where the dynamics involved are just becoming clear. The purpose of this workshop is to explore those dynamics – the theory behind them, the methodologies available, and the implications for a new praxis. To emphasize the sense of discovery, we are organizing the workshop in ways that Hugo Letiche, of the University of the Humanities, has called a Socratic Circle.

AN INNOVATIVE FORMAT

The Socratic Circle builds on the methodology of Plato’s Socratic dialogues. Like Plato’s dialogue, the Socratic Circle begins with individuals stating their positions so that the group can explore those positions and learn as much as possible from them. Unlike Plato’s dialogues, all members of the group are encouraged to questions each other and share their experience. This brings dialogue to the first level of being polyphonically dialogic. A Socratic Circle eliminates the authority of “experts” so that all participants have the opportunity to interact and learn from each other through questioning. Ideally, the workshop will allow participants to share their perceptions so that the group can evolve a variety of understandings. If this happens, the workshop may be able to give us the basics for a study of the dynamics of human social systems as storytelling entities.

From these beginnings, we would like to generate, first, a book of essays exploring the theory, methodology, and results of study spotlighted by this gathering. Second, we anticipate a follow-up conference to further explore these issues.

To encourage the emergence of a variety of understandings, the workshop will be structured as a self-organizing experience. As a result, we will have only a few formal presentations to provoke our explorations. We begin in dialogue, a discussion intended to explore, rather than prove. We assume that even our most valid positions might be incomplete. As a result, we will encourage participants to ask each other about positions they disagree with, rather than arguing them. (After all, it’s always possible to misstate one’s position or to misunderstand the position of another.) In this way, we can have 30 minds contributing to and examining the body of material we generate and move from dialogue among points of view, to a dialogic exploration of differences and convergences. At the end of the first day, participants will discuss and decide how to proceed during the second day. At the end of the second day, the group will decide how to close the workshop on the following morning. This structure will give everyone the opportunity to participate extensively.

A LIMITED SIZE

Because such universal participation demands a relatively small group, we will accept the first 30 people who reserve places. The registration fee will be $250 for participants. Accommodations will be available for about $100 per night. To reserve a place, e-mail Ken Baskin or David Boje.

Thanks for your interest. We look forward to your responses.

Ken Baskin (baskinman47@yahoo.com)

David Boje (dialog@peaceaware.com)