Choosing a Cluster and Pattern Language Aspirations

When I first began brainstorming what I wanted to do within the CIRAL, I was considering a number of different avenues as to how my interests and strengths could best be leveraged. However, during each of our first 2 class sessions I was thanked for my contributions to our discussions concerning the sources and dynamics of social problems- with a specific emphasis on the clarity with which I addressed complex topics. This input from my classmates has led me to the conclusion that the best place for my efforts within CIRAL is the Pattern Language group. Once I made that decision, I began to consider how I could best leverage the work that has been done thus far with the Civic Intelligence Pattern Language. I am not multi-lingual, and thus I cannot simply begin working on translations- and I’m not certain that would be the best use of my abilities in any case. The idea I am considering at present is an attempt to “categorize” the extant patterns- which is to say, I would like to look at all the patterns and analyze how they fit within more general, fundamental problems created by the current structuring of society within the modern world, and generate some categories to place the patterns within. Ideally, these categories would eventually resolve themselves into “macro-patterns” that could be used to hopefully make the pattern language more digestible, applicable, and useful. I am also very much interested in adding more patterns to the language.