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<channel>
	<title>Ed Mitchell: Platform neutral</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog</link>
	<description>Half web producer, half group facilitator. Groups support: online and in the physical world.</description>
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		<title>Campervan for sale</title>
		<link>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2012/10/28/campervan-for-sale/</link>
		<comments>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2012/10/28/campervan-for-sale/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Oct 2012 17:14:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>edmittance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/?p=515</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Vanger the Campervan is for sale. We&#8217;ve loved him and now we have to leave him, and are looking for his next loving owner. He&#8217;s a brilliant Volkswagen 1996 T4 Autosleeper conversion with a hard sided pop-top and just over 120K miles on his clock. He hasn&#8217;t broken down since I bought him in January [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Vanger the Campervan is for sale. We&#8217;ve loved him and now we have to leave him, and are looking for his next loving owner.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/P1050244.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-522" title="campervan in action" src="http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/P1050244-300x225.jpg" alt="campervan in action" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>He&#8217;s a brilliant Volkswagen 1996 T4 Autosleeper conversion with a hard sided pop-top and just over 120K miles on his clock. He hasn&#8217;t broken down since I bought him in January 2011 and has flown through all his MOTs. The Alps and Pyrenees did finally take out his clutch though &#8211; which we have replaced with a brand new one.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/P1050956.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-516 alignnone" title="Campervan cab" src="http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/P1050956-300x225.jpg" alt="Campervan cab" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>He has a hard sided pop top, which you can put up in under one minute and then sit smugly, and sleep snugly in gales and the worst rain Pembrokeshire can throw at you (which makes soft sided pop tops flap and leak).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/P1050954.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-519" title="bed in campervan" src="http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/P1050954-300x225.jpg" alt="bed in campervan" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>He has all the things you expect from a sorted campervan; 2 ring cooker, 3 way fridge, sink, cold water tap, 12V and 240V electrics with mains hook up, double &#8216;rock and roll&#8217; bed in great condition (2 kids can sleep up top) rear seat belts, two tables, arm rests, swivelling passenger chair, great stereo, two gas bottles, wheel chocks, Fiamma side awning, Fiamma double bike rack etc.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/P1050935.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-517" title="Cupboards in campervan" src="http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/P1050935-300x225.jpg" alt="cupboards in campervan" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>And he has all sorts of other stuff; sub-bass woofer for groovy sound, porta-potty if you like that sort of thing, two gas tanks ready to go, wheel tracks to get you out of mud (heaven forbid), side &#8216;tube&#8217; tent for extra space, van cover for winter/general goodness, a small oinking pig to squeeze when road hogs get you down and more.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/P1050949.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-520" title="swivel seat in campervan" src="http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/P1050949-300x225.jpg" alt="swivel seat in campervan" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>He&#8217;s sorted. We love him, but we&#8217;re in central Bristol (tiny roads) and looking to start a family (small car to dash around in), so it&#8217;s time to say adieu, or &#8216;Abschied&#8217; and &#8216;Vielen Dank&#8217; if you like to speak to him in German. Which he likes.</p>
<p>We are currently working out how much he&#8217;s worth by scanning ebay, asking our local garage (all VW nuts), and asking some dealers. Then we will put Vanger onto ebay, gumtree and justkampers.</p>
<p>If you are interested and want to look him up before he hits the market, <a href="mailto:ed@edmitchell.co.uk">drop me an email</a>.</p>
<p>Some details:</p>
<p>Volkswagen T4 Transporter<br />
Year: 1996<br />
Engine size: 1896 CC<br />
Fuel: Diesel<br />
Gears: Manual<br />
Mileage: 120,634 (28/10/12: in use)<br />
MOT to April 2013 (no advisors for last 3 years)<br />
Tax to February 2013<br />
Annual Habitation check last done: May 2012<br />
New clutch: October 2012<br />
Last service: October 2012<br />
V5 registration document present</p>
<p>Lift up hard sided pop top: up in under one minute, sleep soundly and dryly through storms (we did)<br />
Swivel passenger chair<br />
Fiamma awning<br />
Separate leisure battery<br />
Gas &#8216;Propex&#8217; heating<br />
Zig panel for water and electrics management<br />
3 way fridge<br />
Sink with tap off electric pump<br />
2 ring gas cooker and grill<br />
JVC CD/Radio/iPod dock with sub bass for woofing sound<br />
Rock and Roll double bed (no stains,rips, tears) and 2 seat belts<br />
Sleeping compartment at top for 2 children<br />
Fully carpeted<br />
2 tables<br />
12V lighting<br />
240V power socket<br />
Rear seat belts<br />
Fiamma double bike rack<br />
Mains hook up and long cable<br />
Side &#8216;tube&#8217; tent for that extra space<br />
Tyre treads for those muddy escapes<br />
Two gas bottles, wheel chocks etc.<br />
Porta potty included: great for those rainy nights &#8230;<br />
New curtains</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2012/10/28/campervan-for-sale/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>End of project report for Transition Network web project</title>
		<link>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2012/01/31/end-of-project-report-for-transition-network-web-project/</link>
		<comments>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2012/01/31/end-of-project-report-for-transition-network-web-project/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:47:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>edmittance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Facilitation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[engagement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lessonslearnt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[theory]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transition]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/?p=502</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is as brief as possible a report on the Transition Network web project, specifically funded by Tudor Trust with £50,000 in 2008. This report covers the period of January 2009 until December 2011. It is made up of some contextual background, brief outlines about the central project elements, two key stories, some figures, and [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is as brief as possible a report on the Transition Network web project, specifically funded by Tudor Trust with £50,000 in 2008.</p>
<p>This report covers the period of January 2009 until December 2011. It is made up of some contextual background, brief outlines about the central project elements, two key stories, some figures, and a budgeted timeline. There is much more behind this report; to dive into more detail <a href="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/blogs/ed-mitchell">read Ed the author’s blog</a>, or contact him directly with questions.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/uploaded/u4/transition_network_staffboard_0609.jpg"><img src="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/resize/uploaded/u4/transition_network_staffboard_0609-400x300.jpg" alt="Transition Network staff and board after web project approval" width="400" height="300" align="left" /></a>It is a big thank you to our funders, Tudor Trust, for giving Transition Network £50,000 for an unspecified and unknown web platform. We feel that we have used the money sensibly to build the new platform and open up new channels for the movement, and hope that Tudor feel that they made a good investment.</p>
<p>Another purpose of the report is to encourage other people responsible for web projects to do it themselves; take ownership of their project, accept the unpredictable outcomes and have a more resilient, affordable web system than an external service provider could produce.</p>
<p><em>(Picture: Most of Transition Network staff and board after web project approved, June 2009)<br />
</em></p>
<p>This blog post has the introduction and the context and role sections (without the nice pictures). It does not have the other sections on:</p>
<ul>
<li>The central project elements (Technologist group, core information directories, webhosts, content strategy, community emergence, web survey results, the Sharing Engine)</li>
<li>Two case studies (Ingredients directory and Social Reporting &#8216;Stories&#8217; project)</li>
<li>Budgeted timeline</li>
<li>Achievements and figures</li>
<li>The big last thank you</li>
</ul>
<p>For those you need to download the documents below:</p>
<h3>The whole report</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/t4fsws">Download big pdf file of whole report (19MB) from Sendspace</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/Transition%20Network%20web%20project%20report%202009-2011%20FINAL%20small%20file%20size.pdf">Download small pdf file size of whole report (1.14MB) from this site</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Just the case studies sections</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/o7301i">Download modestly big case studies section (ingredients and stories) (5.53 MB) from Sendspace</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/Transition%20Network%20case%20studies%20ingredients%20stories%20small%20file%20size.pdf">Download the smaller file size case studies section (ingredients and stories) (0.5MB) from this site</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Introduction</h3>
<p>Working in complex situations on multi-stakeholder systems can be like being dropped into an intimidating forest, but seeking others to do your work isn’t the answer! In this sense, the report hopes to be like a breadcrumb trail in the forest, left by a group who mapped their context, and want to support others who doing the same thing.</p>
<p><strong>The big lesson from our experience is that it would not have been possible to have predicted where we would be now, then. Because so much changes as you progress.</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/uploaded/u4/transition_technologists_nov_2009.jpg"><img src="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/resize/uploaded/u4/transition_technologists_nov_2009-400x300.jpg" alt="Transition Technologist group November 2009" width="400" height="300" align="right" /></a>If we had produced a detailed and fixed project plan with a product roadmap (which we could have done) it could have felt reassuring in ‘the deep in the dark forest days’ of early 2009, but it would have been wrong for late 2011.</p>
<p>The web project we see now has grown out of experiences and connections from all of the stakeholders, working together in a ‘constellation’ on and offline, facilitated rather than project managed, in iterative technical and social loops hung together with communications and agility, rather than control at its core.</p>
<p><em>(Picture: Transition Technologist group meets for the first time, November 2009)</em></p>
<p>This is illustrated with the two case studies which show that our two biggest products were at best just twinkles in peoples’ eyes in 2009, and the result of exploring the connections between people and ideas and technology, rather than having a big vision, then trying to predict, control and micro-manage the future and the unknown.</p>
<p>This is also a thank you to all the staff at Transition Network, the Transition Technologist group, and all the Transitioners who got on board with the project, all of whom worked on an un-defined project that deliberately tried not to control the future, but share responsibility for understanding and optimising the present.</p>
<blockquote><p>“It gives a wider perspective on transition activity than the local group can achieve. I think it is important to continue showing the bigger picture and offering encouragement to local groups as it can sometimes be a struggle to remain upbeat.”</p>
<p>“Helps us remember that we&#8217;re not alone, because it can be hard to keep up the big effort required.”</p>
<p>(2011 web project survey response)</p></blockquote>
<h3>Context and role</h3>
<p>A great deal has changed since the web project officially began. Indeed it could be argued that ‘change’ itself is accelerating in a world that seems to get more and more bizarre and challenging every day.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/uploaded/u4/initiatives-map-april-2007.JPG"><img src="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/resize/uploaded/u4/initiatives-map-april-2007-250x231.JPG" alt="map of UK groups 2007" width="250" height="231" align="left" /></a>Amid this context, the Transition Towns movement has grown rapidly in numbers and matured broadly in concept. Every day there is something new from somewhere new. Initiatives are springing up all over the world facing different challenges with different people trying different projects in different cultures, with different needs.</p>
<p>Needless to say, Transition Network offers pragmatic support for the emergence of the movement; it is grassroots led so we do not seek to control it. It is a highly charged and creative environment, making for intense professional and personal challenges. There is never a moment at which things are quiet, or ‘the same as yesterday’, or something is not urgent, or brand new and requiring immediate action.</p>
<p>Thus the web project began in an endlessly changing context. <a href="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/uploaded/u4/initiatives-map-july-2011.JPG"><img src="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/resize/uploaded/u4/initiatives-map-july-2011-350x158.JPG" alt="" width="350" height="158" align="right" /></a>Unlike a standard organisation, it is keeping up with a movement that is moving too fast and unpredictably to second guess. This is a challenging situation, particularly if you try to predict what ‘web product’ a movement will need in the future.</p>
<p>In light of this, the web team focused on three interconnected things:</p>
<ol>
<li>Identify the boundaries. Build a shared view of a Transition web ‘constellation’ or ‘field’ with all the various initiative websites, social networks, blogs, etc. and the flows between them, and do not put Transition Network in the middle</li>
<li>Work with the ‘field’. Build relationships with all types of users and facilitate the emergence of supportive social groups (editorial, technical, facilitation) across the field to share roles and responsibilities as they spring up</li>
<li>Produce a robust, flexible technical platform that any reasonable developer can learn about, and work on without too much trouble. See it as a hard working shared bicycle rather than a specialised work of art!</li>
</ol>
<p>In this plan, the platform could be extended in many directions with a facilitation model to handle the social requirements arising and share the power among the users. Then, ultimately, the Transition Network ‘website’ could move from being a highly visible, central website owned by Transition Network toward a transparent web service, moderated by Transitioners to support and promote the initiatives websites.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/uploaded/u4/Transition_Web_Constellation_Diagram_Final.png"><img src="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/resize/uploaded/u4/Transition_Web_Constellation_Diagram_Final-600x450.png" alt="diagram illustrating the Transition web constellation" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p><em>(diagram to explain the wide array of Transition related activity on the internet, and how the Transition Network website is not in the middle of it, preferring to see itself as part of a ‘constellation’ supported by a ‘Sharing Engine’ using web standards and services)</em></p>
<p>This worked for us. Transition Network is comfortable with navigating the unknown, and changing plans when the need arises, rather than sticking to one grand plan.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/uploaded/u4/charlotte_mike_tt_conference_2011.jpg"><img src="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/resize/uploaded/u4/charlotte_mike_tt_conference_2011-350x263.jpg" alt="Charlotte and Mike at the Transition Towns conference 2011" width="350" height="263" align="right" /></a>Importantly, it also promotes the concept of accepting responsibility for unknown outcomes, successful or not successful, without blame. This means that individuals carry great responsibility in the team, but not fear of blame in case of failure; indeed ‘failure’ is seen as an entity where no learnings were extracted from an unsuccessful piece of work.</p>
<p>This is common sense to us, but we found that it is contradictory to most organisations’ web strategies, which are there to reflect a central institution’s self-image, and indeed, many people’s expectations; we are trained to respect centralised power. Our plan had been from the start to challenge centralised power – especially our own.</p>
<p><em>(Picture: Charlotte (Stories editor) and Mike (Newsletter editor) at the 2011 Transition Network conference)</em></p>
<p>After an initial burst of work to get the platform up, technical work was handled in focused phases with small budgets, delivering required enhancements and maintenance, identified by the users and prioritised by the web team.</p>
<blockquote><p>“… It keeps me well intentioned, to create something that the world can believe in. I am so excited when I see my project featured on the side of the projects map, after adding content to my page. This keeps my project exciting, that there is a global network which my project is connected with, despite its small size. This is good, I believe, because despite its small size, the potential is there for great ideas to spawn. thanks, so much”</p>
<p>(2011 web project survey response)</p></blockquote>
<p>&#8230;</p>
<p>For more, please download&#8230;</p>
<h3>The whole report</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/t4fsws">Download big pdf file of whole report (19MB) from Sendspace</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/Transition%20Network%20web%20project%20report%202009-2011%20FINAL%20small%20file%20size.pdf">Download small pdf file size of whole report (1.14MB) from this site</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Just the case studies sections</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/o7301i">Download modestly big case studies section (ingredients and stories) (5.53 MB) from Sendspace</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/Transition%20Network%20case%20studies%20ingredients%20stories%20small%20file%20size.pdf">Download the smaller file size case studies section (ingredients and stories) (0.5MB) from this site</a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/uploaded/u4/funny-pictures-cat-does-not-think-plan-will-fail.jpg"><img src="https://www.transitionnetwork.org/sites/default/files/resize/uploaded/u4/funny-pictures-cat-does-not-think-plan-will-fail-350x262.jpg" alt="cat picture" width="350" height="262" /></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2012/01/31/end-of-project-report-for-transition-network-web-project/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>How we handle our emotional response to conflict</title>
		<link>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2010/03/21/how-we-handle-our-emotional-response-to-conflict/</link>
		<comments>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2010/03/21/how-we-handle-our-emotional-response-to-conflict/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:14:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>edmittance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Facilitation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conflict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[moderation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/?p=499</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I was thinking about the recent Nestle Facebook punch-up while putting my potatoes in this afternoon and, aside to the rational discussions about facilitation, rules, law and so forth, I wondered &#8216;how did that *feel* for the online facilitator/moderator/host?&#8217;. I bet it hurt a lot; I mean &#8211; that much conflict and anger and finger [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I was thinking about the recent <a title="facebook link" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nestle/24287259392?v=feed&amp;story_fbid=107128462646736">Nestle Facebook punch-up</a> while putting my potatoes in this afternoon and, aside to the rational discussions about facilitation, rules, law and so forth, I wondered &#8216;how did that *feel* for the online facilitator/moderator/host?&#8217;.</p>
<p>I bet it hurt a lot; I mean &#8211; that much conflict and anger and finger pointing and this and that, it&#8217;s going to take it&#8217;s toll isn&#8217;t it?</p>
<p>As community managers, we find ourselves in an interesting position &#8211; we&#8217;re right in the middle between brands or organisations or institutions, and the people they are trying to support or service or engage with via the online platforms. This is an environment that runs enormous risk of stress and burnout; we have huge responsibility yet varying authority, we represent the movement to the organisation and vice versa.</p>
<p>We&#8217;re facilitating like mad in an endlessly changing context, looking for paths through this complexity, seeking a balance of power, and &#8216;genuine&#8217; atmosphere, and other good things.</p>
<p>Asides to the workload, that&#8217;s a tough emotional challenge. Especially when it kicks off like it does sometimes, and people behave astonishingly badly and you have to maintain your cool throughout. I thought I might burst into tears if that sort of ferocity kicked off on my patch to be honest. I know I would have real problems trying to keep calm, and keep the outburst in perspective, and not take it personally and other feelings.</p>
<p>Of course, I&#8217;d deal with it, but I wondered if anyone had any ways of understanding our own emotional response to these situations and methods to &#8216;ease the pressure&#8217;. Like counsellors &#8211; who have regular counselling sessions of their own in order to help themselves handle their responses to their clients&#8217; sessions.</p>
<p><strong>So I had a question or two: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>How do you handle your emotional response to punch-ups in your spaces?</li>
<li>How do support your facilitators when it kicks off?</li>
<li>Do we account for the stress inherent in our roles and how that will affect us?</li>
<li>Do we have mechanisms to help us stay calm, and reflective time to process the experience?</li>
</ul>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Community Rules</title>
		<link>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2010/03/21/community-rules/</link>
		<comments>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2010/03/21/community-rules/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:54:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>edmittance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Facilitation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[communityrules]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emint]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[moderation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rules]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/?p=497</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Some excellent examples of community rules from a range of online communities looked after by members of the e-mint mailing list]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Some excellent examples of <a title="delicisou links" href="http://delicious.com/edmittance/communityrules">community rules</a> from a range of online communities looked after by members of the e-mint mailing list</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Gurteen Knowledge Cafe: Ethics</title>
		<link>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2010/01/16/gurteen-knowledge-cafe-ethics/</link>
		<comments>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2010/01/16/gurteen-knowledge-cafe-ethics/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:43:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>edmittance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Facilitation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bristol]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cafe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ethics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gurteen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kcafe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[knowledge]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/?p=493</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The next Gurteen Bristol Knowledge Cafe is going to be held in the exceptionally ethical Pervasive Media Studio, Bristol, on Thursday February 11th, from 18:30. The cafe proper will begin at 19:00 prompt as usual. It will be introduced by Andy Wistreich from Essential Education, who has kindly offered to raise the topic of &#8216;Ethics&#8217;. [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>
<p>The next Gurteen Bristol Knowledge Cafe is going to be held in the exceptionally ethical <a title="Pervasive Media Studio website" href="http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/">Pervasive Media Studio</a>, Bristol, on <strong>Thursday February 11th, from 18:30</strong>. The cafe proper will begin at 19:00 prompt as usual.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p>It will be introduced by Andy Wistreich from <a title="Essential Education website" href="http://www.essential-education.org/">Essential Education</a>, who has kindly offered to raise the topic of &#8216;Ethics&#8217;. This is an important, complex and often problematic issue for the individual and society.  By sharing our perspectives we can all learn something to help us in our ethical challenges.</div>
<div>
<p>Here&#8217;s the blurb:</p>
<blockquote><p>It looks like ethics is about right and wrong, but it is never black and white.  For me the fundamental issue is motivation – why do or not do something?  I am also interested in the fact that laws and ethical codes seem to come from out there in society whereas our choices about how to behave seem to be made in here in our minds.  Again, this is not a simple division.  I’ll try to introduce these general points in the intro and then people can take it where they want with examples from their own work and practice.</p></blockquote>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 510px"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/edmittance/4231110904/"><img title="Ethical consumerism is still consumerism" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2578/4231110904_766799ef5d.jpg" alt="Ethical consumerism is still consumerism" width="500" height="375" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Ethical consumerism is still consumerism</p></div>
<p>As usual, please come along and enjoy while meeting and deepening your understanding of this topic, and book yourself in using the event booking page below.</p>
<p>If you want to stay up to date via the email distribution list, the link follows, and if you’re a facebook kind of person, Michael Corbett is the man behind the Bristol K-cafe group and is usually around for a good conversation…</p>
<p><a title="eventbrite website" href="http://bgc-ethics.eventbrite.com/">Event booking and venue information link</a></p>
<p><a title="Mailing list for Gurteen Bristol k-cafes" href="http://lists.edmitchell.co.uk/listinfo.cgi/gurteeen-knowledge-cafe-bristol-edmitchell.co.uk">Bristol Gurteen Knowledge Cafe mailing list link</a></p>
<p><a title="Bristol k-cafe FB group link" href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=7366082575">Bristol Gurteen Knowledge Cafe Facebook group</a></div>
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		<title>Next Brrism event: Time, Politics and Community</title>
		<link>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2010/01/10/next-brrism-event/</link>
		<comments>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2010/01/10/next-brrism-event/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:10:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>edmittance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/?p=490</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The next Brrism event looks interesting &#8211; a range of conversations from politics, time management and community. Go direct to the Brrism site for more information and booking, meanwhile, here&#8217;s the blurb: It&#8217;s a brand new year, a brand new decade and Brrism has a brand new format. Every Brrism meeting now consists of three [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The next Brrism event looks interesting &#8211; a range of conversations from politics, time management and community.</p>
<p>Go direct to <a title="Brrism site" href="http://brrism.blogspot.com/2010/01/brrism5-time-politics-and-community.html">the Brrism site</a> for more information and booking, meanwhile, here&#8217;s the blurb:</p>
<p><span id="more-490"></span></p>
<blockquote><p><strong>It&#8217;s a brand new year, a brand new decade and Brrism has a brand new format</strong>. Every Brrism meeting now consists of three topics and an icebreaker. For the first meeting of 2010 (which takes place on Wednesday 20th at the Pervasive Media Studio) the line up is as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>The <strong>Digital Economy Bill</strong> with Paul Smith (<a href="http://twitter.com/bristolwestpaul">twitter</a>, <a href="http://bristolwestpaul.wordpress.com/">blog</a>).  Paul is a PPC which I normally take to mean &#8220;Pay per Click&#8221; but Paul assures me that it means &#8220;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospective_parliamentary_candidate">Prospective Parliamentary Candidate</a>&#8221; which gives him an added incentive to be interested in the <a href="http://brrism.wetpaint.com/page/Digital+Economy+Bill">Digital Economy Bill</a> which is currently making its way through the House of Lords before progressing to the House of Commons and being made law. This is your chance to find out about the bill, discuss it with fellow Brrismers and decide what action to take (e.g. change ISP, write to your MP, etc etc). Pre-meeting discussion can take place <a href="http://brrism.wetpaint.com/page/Digital+Economy+Bill/thread">here</a> (registration required).</li>
<li><strong>Social Media versus Time Management</strong> with Lee Cottier (<a href="http://twitter.com/leecottier">twitter</a>). The first of January is the day that we traditionally make our New Year&#8217;s resolutions with the second of January being the day that we traditionally forget them. Lee will be telling us how we can rethink our habits around social media such we can work more effectively and not get sucked into the Twitter/Facebook/etc time-waste. Pre-meeting discussion can take place <a href="http://brrism.wetpaint.com/page/Social+Media+versus+Time+Management/thread">here</a> (registration required).</li>
<li><strong>Social media tools for the Brrism Community</strong> with Colin Rainsforth (<a href="http://twitter.com/colinrainsforth">twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.rainsforth.co.uk/">website</a>). Brrism&#8217;s &#8220;pattern of use&#8221; so far has been a great deal of activity in the week of the meeting followed by 3 weeks of inactivity. It would be great if we could generate conversations that would transcend the meetings and allow us to act as an integrated community throughout the month. Colin has much experience with social media tools as well as being involved with online communities before the likes of Ecademy and Facebook made the term popular. Pre-meeting discussion can take place <a href="http://brrism.wetpaint.com/page/The+Wiki+and+the+Community/thread">here</a> (registration required).</li>
</ul>
<li><strong>Icebreaker: The 2009 Memory Game</strong>. 2009 was chock full of interesting news stories concerning social media and this game refreshes your memory, gets you talking to other people at the meeting and allows you to have a lot of fun.</li>
</blockquote>
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		<title>NEF&#8217;s bigger picture event: little write up</title>
		<link>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2009/11/04/nefs-bigger-picture-event/</link>
		<comments>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2009/11/04/nefs-bigger-picture-event/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:27:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>edmittance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[biggerpicturefestival]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[climate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[london]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nef]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[report]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[society]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/?p=480</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The New Economics Foundation held a &#8216;Bigger Picture&#8216; Festival on Saturday 24th October. It was a good gig. Just like salesmen who like being sold to, as an event designer, I love going to a good gig. The range of workshops, debates, discussions, talks was excellent; it was solid with attendees full of interesting ideas [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The <a title="NEF website" href="http://www.neweconomics.org/">New Economics Foundation</a> held a &#8216;<a title="Bigger picture website" href="http://thebiggerpicture2009.org/festival">Bigger Picture</a>&#8216; Festival on Saturday 24th October. It was a good gig. Just like salesmen who like being sold to, as an event designer, I love going to a good gig.</p>
<p>The range of workshops, debates, discussions, talks was excellent; it was solid with attendees full of interesting ideas in a cool building. It was a bit noisy for me at some moments, and you couldn&#8217;t get any food without going outside and therefore re-joining the enormous queue, but there you go. I could only be there for the morning, but the highlights for me were:</p>
<p><strong>Why magic bullets don&#8217;t work &#8211; with David Boyle (NEF fellow), Fred Pearce (New Scientist), Vikki Johnson (NEF). </strong></p>
<p>Fred discussed the myth of population explosion. He says it&#8217;s not rising exponentially and that this is one of the great green bogey men, where we assume that it is the exploding populations around the world which need to be curbed in order to keep C02 emissions under control (I was at a different <a title="Ideas festival website" href="http://www.ideasfestival.co.uk/?p=129">lecture by Ronald Oxburgh</a> in Bristol since where he regularly referred to the population explosion around the world and offered technical solutions to handle it).  For starters, Fred indicated that women are having less babies than ever before, of their own accord.</p>
<p>As well as this, the populations of Europe and the USA are generating far more emissions than anyone else per capita, so we and our addiction to consumption, are a vital part of the problem. This reminded me of a recent George Monbiot article &#8216;<a title="Guardian website" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cif-green/2009/sep/28/population-growth-super-rich">Stop blaming the poor, it&#8217;s the wally yachters who are burning the planet</a>&#8216; and a more recent piece from Fred on the hogwash greenwash about <a title="Guardian website" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/29/private-jets-green">corporate jets and their carbon footprints</a>.</p>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 385px"><img title="Balloon at NEF event" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3532/4046354752_4dc4d28d90.jpg" alt="Balloon at NEF event" width="375" height="500" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Balloon at NEF event</p></div>
<p><span id="more-480"></span></p>
<p>Then David Boyle spoke about target myths &#8211; where we obsess over targets at the cost of &#8216;un-measure-able&#8217; stuff (my words). He used the examples of the NHS in the UK, who referred to trolleys in hospitals as &#8216;mobile beds&#8217; in order to meet their delivery targets which were set by the politicians. Has setting the target worked? David Miliband was so keen on removing the target culture, that when he came into power, he set a target of 25% less targets. This is interesting stuff; fixating over quantitative goals for social systems is risky as it smells strongly of &#8216;efficiency&#8217; instead of &#8216;redundancy&#8217; (as in a resilient system).</p>
<p>I asked what the speakers thought of the target oriented 10:10 and 350 campaigns in the context of target myths &#8211; he felt that given these are clear quantitative targets, and it is the language of the mainstream now, that it was suitable to use them. We also had a very interesting discussion about systems and their multiple tipping points &#8211; whereby the quantitative goal may be only one of the many points which mean change is happening.</p>
<p>Another attendee raised the point that it is hard to target problems to do with consumerism as the &#8216;enemy&#8217; is within ourselves; we are addicted to stuff, so we are fighting ourselves, which I couldn&#8217;t agree more with. On a recent visit to Bristol, <a title="Rev Billy website" href="http://www.revbilly.com/">Rev Billy</a> pointed out that the problem with consumerism is that it is so bizarrely and surreally pervasive and insipid; it&#8217;s inside us and outside us, a scarey combatant for the mental environment, that the only way to battle it is to <a title="flickr link " href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/edmittance/3569560405/in/set-72157618863132928/">go surreal on its ass</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Tales of how it turned out right &#8211; climate change changes everything: Ruth Potts, Joe Smith, Muzamal Hussein and Lucy Neal. </strong><strong><br />
</strong></p>
<p>In the 1970s all of the environmental activist campaigning used fear as a motivator; is that now suitable? Probably not &#8211; back then they had to shake people into a new state of awareness &#8211; right now we need to encourage people to become active &#8211; by subscribing to campaigns, lobbying their MPs, reducing their footprint and consumption, joining up with local transition groups, planting food, and more. Empowering them, basically. Encouraging them to take some pride in their lives and communities by sharing and building community resilience.</p>
<p>There is little debate (apart from with some of our friends among them the <a title="Next left website" href="http://www.nextleft.org/2009/10/help-can-anyone-find-tory-blogger-who.html?utm_source=Left+Foot+Forward+List&amp;utm_campaign=c30984d1b9-Left_Foot_Forward8_18_2009&amp;utm_medium=email">right wing climate change questioners</a>) about climate change any more &#8211; only how and if we can pull together to resolve it. As we have to resolve it together &#8211; we won&#8217;t make it alone.</p>
<p>So the activist message has changed from scarey to encouraging (and fun, and beneficial to your life); therefore so must the narrative structure of our stories change.</p>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 510px"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4046354920_6e2a1472de.jpg"><img class=" " title="Elvis reading his ration book" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4046354920_6e2a1472de.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Elvis reading his ration book</p></div>
<p>As well as this, at a higher level, some reference was made to power structures and how advertising is an explicit representation of the power structures in society &#8211; <a title="Adbusters website" href="https://www.adbusters.org/">adbusters</a> and many others have been onto this for some time so it&#8217;s not at all new, but we see thousands of consumerist messages every day; these do not empower us, in fact they weaken us, separate us, fill the gaps in our lives with marketable product, all for the benefit of shareholders in private corporations.</p>
<p>Every now and then in Bristol a neighbourhood community group wins a long hard fought battle with the council to remove one illegal billboard that the advertising companies regularly put up without permission &#8211; this happens all over &#8211; and takes a lot of our energy. And when we get rid of one billboard we feel something of a empty victory; so how can we change that?</p>
<p>So the big stories being told, that define our lives and related actions, are from people looking to encourage us to believe that happiness comes from purchase. And we are fighting it, but it&#8217;s a long uphill battle and we&#8217;re not the ones with all the powerful contracts&#8230;</p>
<p>Traditionally &#8211; local councils seem happy to have thousands of billboards through nation-wide advertising campaigns, so we can feel insignificant to stop this, but a growing number of <a title="Somerset website" href="http://postcarboncities.net/node/3319">local</a> <a title="Brixton pound website" href="http://brixtonpound.org/who/sponsors/">councils</a> are keen to work with Transition initiatives, so that may well change; there is even a <a title="Transition Network website" href="http://transitiontowns.org/TransitionNetwork/TransitionBooks#Councils">book on it</a> coming out soon.</p>
<p>So given the change in activism and its messages, and the growing disatisfaction with the all powerful corporate messages, how do we re-calibrate to something more akin to what we want? How can we disrupt this established power imbalance as a step towards bringing people together to combat climate change and re-gain their mental environment?</p>
<p>By experimenting, trying new stuff, meeting our neighbours, doing projects, learning from our projects and other people&#8217;s projects, telling and re-telling stories of our experiences. Gradually, Story can help us build our own culture which in itself is something to believe in beyond the adverts; we know from narrative studies that story can carry the messages; we just need to develop the body of knowledge from which stories spring by doing.</p>
<p>And with positive and negative visioning we produce visions of how it could be, giving us something to work on instead of the terrifying unknown, and therefore how to work towards the what and the how. So we become more confident in ourselves, seek less product-based ego boost, more resilient in our communities, and therefore more powerful when it comes to demanding change in society.</p>
<p>Well that was a good rant, but probably a rather poor and waffly event report. But I&#8217;ve found myself telling people about the great event so many times that I thought I better write it down.</p>
<p>Also much loved were <a title="eco labs website" href="http://eco-labs.org/dev/index.php?option=com_docman&amp;task=cat_view&amp;gid=38&amp;Itemid=102">ecolabs beautiful scenarios</a> work, and the <a title="ministry of trying to do something about it website" href="http://theministryoftryingtodosomethingaboutit.org/">ministry of trying to do something about it</a>&#8216;s ration book, as well as the nef <a title="NEF website" href="http://www.neweconomics.org/publications/the-great-transition">Great Transition book </a>which has sparked some good discussions around and about.</p>
<p>Well done all!</p>
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		<title>Transition Network food project database beta launch</title>
		<link>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2009/11/04/tt-food-project-beta-launch/</link>
		<comments>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2009/11/04/tt-food-project-beta-launch/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:17:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>edmittance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Facilitation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[database]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[platform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ttmvt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[web]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/?p=471</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Food project case studies is the first web service to come out of the Transition Web Project. Transition Network Web Co-ordinator Ed Mitchell gives us an outline and invites you to participate. Over at Transition Network web project HQ, we are delighted to launch the first ‘public beta’ (working prototype) of our ‘projects database’, featuring [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Food project case studies is the first web service to come out of the Transition Web Project. Transition Network Web Co-ordinator Ed Mitchell gives us an outline and invites you to participate.<br />
<span id="more-471"></span></p>
<div id="attachment_474" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 89px"><img class="size-full wp-image-474" title="beta" src="http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/beta.gif" alt="beta" width="79" height="79" /><p class="wp-caption-text">beta</p></div>
<p>Over at Transition Network web project HQ, we are delighted to launch the first ‘public beta’ (working prototype) of our ‘projects database’, featuring case studies from a range of transition food projects. This is an important part of, and the first public element of the wider web project and we need your help and input.</p>
<p><strong> What is the ‘projects database’?</strong></p>
<p>The projects database is designed for people engaged in transition food projects to share and discuss essential information about their projects, enabling others to learn from their experience, get in touch and build supportive networks of people doing similar things around the country. We chose food as a topic as it is close to all of our hearts and there are lots of fascinating projects to share.</p>
<p><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-889" title="TT food project screen" src="http://transitionnetworknews.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/ttfoodproject-screen.jpg?w=166" alt="TT food project screen" width="166" height="300" /></p>
<p>It is an easily searchable database of ‘we did this and that worked, but watch out for that, it didn’t work’ kind of thing. It is a way to share information across distance about community learnings drawn from doing projects.</p>
<p>It is not a replacement for conversations, it is a stimulant; a context setter, an introducer. It is a way for ‘initiative a’ to share its learnings easily so that ‘initiative b’, when starting a project, can benefit from those experiences. It is not an ‘efficiency machine’ best practice database, it is a ‘resilience support experience base’ for the movement as a whole.</p>
<p>By sharing project information in this way, we believe that the Transition movement can broaden and accelerate its utility enormously.</p>
<p><strong>What can I do?</strong></p>
<p>It will only be useful if you use it, and we’ll only know that by giving it a try. So we have added some case studies from Tamzin’s book, but these are a starter for ten; the magic is up to you. Please go and have a look at the beta, give it a testing, add some project experience…</p>
<ul>
<li>Do you have experience in a food project?</li>
<li>What worked?</li>
<li>What didn’t work?</li>
<li>What outcomes, expected or not, came out of it?</li>
<li>Do you have any web links or other resources for reference?</li>
</ul>
<p><em>If you favourite nephew tugged on your sleeve and said “I’m going to start a food project in my neighbourhood”, what would your advice be?</em></p>
<p><strong>Please note &#8211; it is not a finished product – think of it as a ‘diamond in the rough’ that you are helping to hone to how you want it.</strong></p>
<p>All of our web services will evolve ‘iteratively’ in line with regular use from those who use it &#8211; so we are looking for transition people to come and have a look, read some projects, add some of their own projects, spread the word to their mates who are into food, and generally give it a good public testing.</p>
<p>All of the project information will be kept so none of your additions will be lost (although it will be moved when we move to our wonderful environmentally efficient micro-data-centre using second hand servers running open source software but that’s another story).</p>
<p><strong>How to participate:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Visit the <a title="Transition Food website" href="http://www.transitionfood.org.uk">Transition Food website</a> and peruse the <a title="Transition Food website" href="http://transitionfood.org.uk/case-studies">case studies</a> at your will and make a comment if you fancy that. Try using the &#8216;guided&#8217; or ‘nested’ search list on the left hand side of the screen &#8211; there are lots of ways to find the information.</li>
<li>If you want to join the forums, or add a case study yourself, <a title="Transition Food website" href="http://transitionfood.org.uk/user/register">register an account</a> on the site. It is quick and easy, and your data is safe with us (TT web has a 100% spam free promise)</li>
<li>To add a Transition food project, <a title="Transition Food website" href="http://transitionfood.org.uk/node/add/case-study">create a case study</a> to tell everyone else all about your project.</li>
<li>There is also a <a href="http://transitionfood.org.uk/forum">discussion forum</a> to talk about food projects and other food-related Transition issues, so feel free to jump in there and get involved. (The forum content may not be permanent).</li>
<li>Add your experiences, with the site, your likes/dislikes into the forum; it&#8217;s how we learn</li>
<li>As new case studies appear, we will start a little competition; the winning case study (based on the number of votes in a simple poll) will get a free copy of the Transition food book.</li>
</ol>
<p>If you have any enquiries, <a title="Transition Food website" href="http://transitionfood.org.uk/contact">drop us a line from the contact form</a> and one of us will be in touch.</p>
<p><strong>Some heartfelt words of thanks:</strong></p>
<p>The first bunch of projects&#8217; information has been kindly shared by Tamzin Pinkerton, the author behind our newly published book: Transition Food. We keenly recommend you buy it; it’s great. The whole food database was mastered, researched and driven by the irrepressible Jon Walker with excellent technical support from Graham Mitchell, worldly Knowledge Management advice from Cathy King, and facilitation support from Melissa Worth.</p>
<p>Over the next few months we will be launching a few new services as ‘betas’ as we gradually deliver the web project, so this is the beginning of a rolling development schedule. Buckle up everybody! Web project ahoy!</p>
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		<title>Gurteen Knowledge Cafe: language and leadership</title>
		<link>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2009/10/30/gurteen-kcafe-language/</link>
		<comments>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2009/10/30/gurteen-kcafe-language/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:55:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>edmittance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bristol]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cafe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Facilitation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gurteen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[knowledge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[language]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leadership]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/?p=466</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The next Gurteen Bristol Knowledge Cafe is going to be held in the leading edge Pervasive Media Studio, Bristol, on Thursday November 26th, from 18:30. The cafe proper will begin at 19:00 prompt as usual. Introduced by Mike Zeidler, facilitator, coach and connector, driving force behind the Bristol Hub, Association of Sustainability Practitioners and more. [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The next Gurteen Bristol Knowledge Cafe is going to be held in the leading edge <a title="Pervasive Media Studio website" href="http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/">Pervasive Media Studio</a>, Bristol, on <strong>Thursday November 26th, from 18:30</strong>. The cafe proper will begin at 19:00 prompt as usual.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p>Introduced by Mike Zeidler, facilitator, coach and connector, driving force behind the Bristol Hub, Association of Sustainability Practitioners and more.</p>
<p>Our subject is &#8216;language and leadership&#8217;. Here&#8217;s the blurb:</p>
<blockquote><p>Words send men to war, make stocks and shares plunge or rocket and can completely change the feel of almost any situation.  Many leaders feel safer with facts, figures and physical materials because feelings are soft and fluffy.  Nothing could be further from the truth. Mike will be talking about the immense power of language, and how skillful use can make leaders of us all.  If that sounds like a recipe for chaos to you, you should definitely come along..!</p></blockquote>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 385px"><img title="Do as we say, not as we do (Carnyville, Bristol)" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/3976172105_0000f74226.jpg" alt="Do as we say, not as we do (Carnyville, Bristol)" width="375" height="500" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Do as we say, not as we do (Carnyville, Bristol)</p></div>
<p>As usual, please come along and enjoy while meeting and deepening your understanding of this topic, and book yourself in using the event booking page below.</p>
<p>If you want to stay up to date via the email distribution list, the link follows, and if you’re a facebook kind of person, Michael Corbett is the man behind the Bristol K-cafe group and is usually around for a good conversation…</p>
<p><a title="eventbrite website" href="http://bgc-language.eventbrite.com/">Event booking and venue information link</a></p>
<p><a title="Mailing list for Gurteen Bristol k-cafes" href="http://lists.edmitchell.co.uk/listinfo.cgi/gurteeen-knowledge-cafe-bristol-edmitchell.co.uk">Bristol Gurteen Knowledge Cafe mailing list link</a></p>
<p><a title="Bristol k-cafe FB group link" href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=7366082575">Bristol Gurteen Knowledge Cafe Facebook group</a></p>
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		<title>Media Sandbox showcase and publication launch</title>
		<link>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2009/10/05/media-sandbox-showcase/</link>
		<comments>http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2009/10/05/media-sandbox-showcase/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:32:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>edmittance</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bristol]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[innovation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ished]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[media]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sandbox]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/?p=454</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I am a big fan of the iShed&#8216;s &#8216;Media Sandbox&#8216; programme. I have been lucky enough to facilitate some of their big events, which have been excellent learning opportunities as well as good facilitation excercises. The launch event for Media Sandbox 2009 included an exercise we called &#8216;Golden rules&#8216; which is now providing me with [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I am a big fan of the <a title="iShed website" href="http://www.ished.org.uk">iShed</a>&#8216;s &#8216;<a title="Media Sandbox website" href="http://www.mediasandbox.co.uk">Media Sandbox</a>&#8216; programme. I have been lucky enough to facilitate some of their big events, which have been excellent learning opportunities as well as good facilitation excercises.</p>
<p>The launch event for  Media Sandbox 2009 included an exercise we called &#8216;<a title="other link on this blog" href="http://www.edmitchell.co.uk/blog/2008/12/17/the-five-golden-rules/">Golden rules</a>&#8216; which is now providing me with invaluable salient wisdom and advice as I put the <a title="Transition Towns website" href="http://www.transitiontowns.org">Transition Towns</a> web platform together. Here&#8217;s one of them:</p>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 510px"><img title="Golden rule from Media Sandbox event" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/3115627668_695c42d299.jpg" alt="One of the golden rules for platform development which is now very significant to me" width="500" height="375" /><p class="wp-caption-text">One of the golden rules for platform development which is now very significant to me</p></div>
<p>To round off this year&#8217;s work, they are holding a  showcase, and they&#8217;ve published a lovely book about it all too, which is beautiful and inspiring. I&#8217;ll be going along for sure.</p>
<p>If you fancy going along, <a href="http://www.mediasandbox.co.uk/events/">check the events page on the Media Sandbox website</a>.</p>
<p>In the meantime, here&#8217;s the blurb:</p>
<p><span id="more-454"></span></p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Media Sandbox Showcase &amp; Publication Launch<br />
Tuesday 20th October 2009 | 16:00hrs | Cinema 1 | Watershed, Bristol</strong></p>
<p>The creative media industries are going through a period of rapid change. The uncertain economic environment has made it harder to find the time and space to dedicate to nurturing new ideas. The Media Sandbox development scheme was set up to give new ideas a safe environment in which to grow. Sandbox made six awards earlier this year, to innovative projects researching emerging possibilities in multiplatform technologies. From HMC, Drake Music and bibic’s  multi-sensory environments for children with additional learning needs to Indie Mobile’s new music focused campaign tool, all the projects respond directly to the challenges of modern society.</p>
<p>This event celebrates the achievements of those six commissions and will include a showcase of all six, plus open discussion addressing the challenges posed by multiplatform technologies. The event will also coincide with a launch of a new publication that celebrates two successful years of the Media Sandbox scheme and an exciting announcement about next years’ scheme.</p>
<p><strong>16:00hrs:</strong><br />
Project presentations and panel discussions with Nicole Yershon, Director of Innovative Solutions at Ogilvy; Richard Hull, Researcher in Pervasive Technologies at HP Labs; Mark Leaver, Director of Development at South West Screen; and Clare Reddington, Director of iShed.</p>
<p><strong>18:00hrs:</strong><br />
Evening Reception including informal demos of this years’ projects and the launch of the Media Sandbox Publication. Drinks and light bites will be served.</p>
<p>If you would like to attend, please <a href="http://www.mediasandbox.co.uk/events/">check the events page on the Media Sandbox website</a>, or call Watershed Box Office directly on +44 (0)117 927 5100.</p></blockquote>
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