Category: Communities

Categories
Communities

Communities Aren’t Just Where We Live

What is a community? A location, like a city, town or neighbourhood? Or people who share something fundamental, like language, heritage, religion, culture or interests? Sure. But a community isn’t just a place or a group — it’s also a way of being.

The word “community” comes from the Latin “communitas” and “communitatem,” which refer to joint use or a fellowship. An early meaning, from the 14th century, centred on common possessions or enjoyment. More than being what we are, a community is what we do. It’s about building and growing together, making the changes that recognize the needs of us all.

Stuart Foxman, Strength in Numbers

I think communities first and foremost are about a way of being. And from that common sense of being arises a common sense of doing.

And from my experiences, it doesn’t really matter if these communities are online or offline. They inhabit the same characteristics of being and doing.

Categories
Communities Culture Gaming

Manifesto Games

Thoughts on Greg Costikyan’s new Manifesto Games company and how it could take advantage of a connected community approach.

Whoa, ok I’m impressed. It looks like Greg Costikyan is starting his own indie label for independent game developers called Manifesto Games. I’ve always admired Greg because he’s one of the few people in the gaming industry who is direct and honest about the issues occurring within it. I seriously hope his efforts pay off and he can create a community of independent game developers that will seriously bring some fresh air to the staleness within the gaming industry today.

One other thing to note. I seriously believe that if my “connected communities” idea was operational today that this would be the perfect opportunity to use it upon as it would allow a large group of decentralized independent game developers to work collectively on common goals from each of their own sites. But that’s why it is so important that the system and idea be as flexible and open as possible, so that it can work with any exceedingly large group of people on any goal or project.

Categories
Communities Culture

Tribes Learning Communities

The Tribes process is aimed at educators to help them transform their school environments so that students have a more enjoyable learning experience in discovering what their talents are through group collaboration.

My deep conviction after a lifetime of work in education, youth development and systems change is that rather than focusing on “fixing kids” we need to fix the environments that impact their lives every day. Six or more hours in school each day in a strong and caring community culture are enough to help children discover a love of learning, self and social responsibility for their lives.

Imagine a world where every community, organization, or nation put more emphasis on fixing its culture and environment instead of blaming the people within it?