Public Sphere Project Liberating Voices! A Pattern Language for Communication Revolution

People use a vast universe of information and communication systems. Unfortunately these systems are failing in many ways. It's time to assert the people's right to the systems they need, to better face the future as engaged and empowered citizens.

We are now in the 7th year of a 12-year project to help understand, motivate and inform the worldwide movement to establish full access to information and communication — including the design and management of information and communication systems.

We're working together to develop one or more "pattern languages" which can help people think about, design, develop, manage and use information and communication systems that more fully meet human needs now — and in the future.

Our "pattern language" is a holistic collection of "patterns" that can be used together to address an information or communication problem. Each "pattern" in this pattern language, when complete, will represent an important insight that will help contribute to a communication revolution.

Millions of us are working on the same project.     
        We're just not making all the connections!

Sample Patterns (different every time)

Social Responsibility Sustainable Design Mobile Intelligence

Conversational Support Across Boundaries Free and Fair Elections Design for Unintended Use

Self-Help Groups Emergency Communication Systems Peaceful Public Demonstrations

Access to Pattern Language in Progress

• Liberating Voices! View patterns planned — and organized — for the MIT Press book
• NEW! References in book patterns
• NEW! Pattern Links Still a draft but exciting nevertheless!
• Pattern Pool. Browse all submitted (proto-)patterns
• Pattern Development Preparation Guide AKA: "Cheat sheet"
• I feel lucky! Look at a random pattern
• New Authors: Open an account to submit pattern ideas
• Current Authors: Add a new pattern or edit patterns you've already submitted
• Pattern Language Mailing List Join the Liberating Voices!discussion!
• submitted patterns:

Using a Network of Patterns

All patterns in the system will ultimately be linked to each other into a network. All patterns are intended to be used independently — and with other patterns. The example above illustrates how several patterns might be selected to be used together to solve a particular problem. (Click on pattern name to view pattern.)

Pattern Language Documents

• NEW! Contributors
• Statement of Purpose
• Preamble / Introduction to Project
• Principles
• About Patterns
• Pattern Authoring Advice
• Project Milestones

Related Articles

• Pattern Language Presentation Gothenburg, Sweden and San Francisco
• A Pattern Language for Living Communication Malmo, Sweden
• Uncovering and Understanding Our Common Language Contains six patterns in progress.

Miscellany

• Display Pattern Ideas See other Pattern candidates
• NEW! Graphic Version of Pattern Development Progress Inscrutable!
• Look at Pattern Images

Pattern Language Development

• Authorized Editors: Work in the development environment
• Authorized Administrators: Administer the system
• Pattern Submission Evaluators: Provide feedback on patterns. This is open to everybody!

Links

• Other Pattern Languages. A small sampling of related work
• Public Sphere Project, a CPSR project
• Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility

This is a work in progress. There are many ways in which you can help — on our book project or other aspects of the Public Sphere Project!

 

Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
 

Updated: May 30, 2007