Can you be Regenerating the World, Serving a Community and Developing Yourself, simultaneously?
In Part I we introduce PM, RD, some distinctions and how Gil and Marco arrive at this point in time doing this research.
In Part I we introduce PM, RD, some distinctions and how Gil and Marco arrive at this point in time doing this research.
In Part II, we explore the epistemology, cosmology and ontology of each gameworld (II.1), what seems common (II.2) and some differences (II.3) - and how they can complement each other.
In this Part III we develop our research agenda and some cases where we are applying and experimenting with both practices.
Hypothesis for experimentation
One of the frameworks used by RD is the 3 lines of work of an RD Practitioner — the distinction is that we work (at least on) 3 lines at the same time and they nurture the development of each other:
● First line: Developing Oneself
● Second line: Growing the Capacity of a Community or a Team
● Third line: Improving the Health and Value of the larger Systems
We will use this framework to bring aliveness and clarity to our Hypothesis of research. In our perception and experience, the two practices, the gameworlds of PM and DR, complement and enhance each other. Using the 3 lines of work framework, we consider that both gameworlds have elements of the 3 lines. From our experience and understanding, PM is more grounded on the 1st line and 2nd line of work while DR mainly on the 3rd and 2nd line of work (schematised in the picture below).
This figure allows us to reflect on the different research hypotheses. At a first level we can see where some of the distinctions, maps and frameworks from one gameworld can benefit the other, by bringing more clarity and depth in a certain dimension of the living system, as well as support the questioning and development of the thoughtware used by each of the gameworld were they are today (Hypothesis 1). Another way we can approach this is by combining and merging existing distinctions, maps and frameworks so they can bring more clarity and aliveness to any particular real situation (Hypothesis 2). On the other hand, we might start stepping into territories where none of the practices have stepped before and new insights (through new distinctions, maps and frameworks) can emerge (Hypothesis 3).
It is important to be clear that both of us are involved in some collective initiatives (ecovillages, foundations and informal organisations or movements), where we are consciously applying both practices simultaneously, such as Fundação Terra Agora (2019-), Innovations for the Future (2021-) and Pinha do Agora (2021–2022).
Also, we want to clarify that these are working research hypotheses and that below we might be over simplifying by assigning key distinctions, maps and frameworks into categories, such as the 3 lines of work. We invite the reader not to lose the wholeness and nestedness quality of the distinctions, maps and frameworks “categorised” below within each of the main lines of work where we consider they are more useful, considering our understanding and experience.
1st hypothesis: Each Gameworld distinctions, maps and frameworks can nurture one another
Through this hypothesis we will identify the experiential gaps of each gameworld that can be nurtured by the other gameworld. We will develop a way that the distinctions, maps and frameworks from one gameworld can be integrated and expand the other one. In this hypothesis we are assuming that the contexts of both gameworlds allow the integration of distinctions and frameworks of the other gameworld without that having a degenerative impact on the overall epistemology, cosmology and ontology used by each gameworld.
We will briefly identify some of the distinctions, maps and frameworks that can be useful from one gameworld to the other, and will develop this thinking and reflection in future articles. We are presenting these complementarities below according to the 3 lines of work.
How these distinctions, maps and frameworks can support each practice will be explored in subsequent articles. Pinha do Agora ecovillage Project has been an exploration field of this hypothesis and now it is being seeded in Terra Agora Foundation and Quinta da Enxara community and retreat centre
2nd hypothesis: Combining the maps, distinctions and frameworks of both practices create more awareness and will for people to develop and places to expand to their potential
The second hypothesis of work is combining maps from both gameworlds to create new maps. The examples of tetrad map with the 3 world map (Archetypal tetrad — see Pinha do Agora example here) or using the task cycle framework with the gameworld codex — both will be subject of an in depth article.
Pinha do Agora Project has been an example of experimenting this hypothesis, in the sense that it used concepts / language / distinctions from the two gameworlds in a conscious way with all members of this community.
At the moment we are developing an activation Program for Bioregions to root a responsible and regenerative culture, where we are integrating the distinctions, maps and frameworks of both practices.
3rd hypothesis: There are new distinctions, maps, frameworks and to be declared that serves to update the thoughtware, nurturing living wholes and manifesting a regenerative reality.
The third hypothesis is that by experimenting with the 2 gameworlds, new maps, distinctions and frameworks will emerge that aren’t present at any gameworld. We don’t have any possibility at the moment.
4th hypothesis: There is a new language to speak about what is emerging that serves to update the thoughtware, nurturing living wholes and manifesting a regenerative reality.
Both practices introduce language to talk about this new contexts and thought maps. This hypothesis refers to creating a glossary of new terms, from both practices, to talks about the new. Below you can find some distinctions, maps and frameworks that hold the language structure.
● Possibility Management (PM)
○ Distinction
○ Thoughmap / Thoughtware
○ Gameworld/ Gaian Gameworld
● Regenerative Development (RD)
○ Place-based Potential
○ Organising and Ordering
○ Framework
○ Resourcing
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This is a first research experiential draft that we are starting with. It will be more organised and evolve along time. Do let us know if you are interested in joining this research with us.
To know more about our work you can look into our:
- Website
- Medium page
- Newsletters (do register in the webpage above in you are interest in receiving our newsletters)
References
● PM
○ https://possibilitymanagement.org/
○ https://distinctionary.mystrikingly.com/
● RD
○ https://www.regenerat.es/
○ Regenerative Development & Design Book