Self and Personalization

Group Name: 
Starter Card 0
Isaac Smith
Civic Intelligence Research and Action Lab @ The Evergreen State College
Travis Bowen
CIRAL
Prateek
CIRAL
Owning the Concept in a way the Honors the originators through authenticity and personalization
Problem: 
  • Some complex concepts make it hard to personalize the Pattern.
  • There is no Pattern Language that defines us, but there should be one that helps us define ourselves.
Context: 

Pattern Language was designed to aid in identifying and approaching key elements that exist within everyday society. This allows for a better engagement on projects and ideas that affect a group of people. Starting at number one and moving forward, each pattern becomes broader in terms. These cards give reference and depth to the consistent issues faced within a community.

In the photo there is a black bear taking off a polar bear skin. If we are to all be bears, which type of bear would you choose to be? Personalization is important. One may not truly make a difference by behaving exactly like everyone else.

Discussion: 

There is a song written by a group called "The Rapture." The lyrics are as such: "...gonna get myself into, wanna help me do it?"

There is a potential problem, that may arise from framing ideas within a pattern. Take the #3 - The Good Life for instance; it can be taken many different ways-- this is the point, yes, but other patterns are not as easily defined.  Others may have a harder time personalizing a pattern to what it is that they are wanting to use. One may find themselves adhering too closely to the description of the cards.The idea is to use the structure of the patterns and expand them.

The patterns are inclusive, but are without us unless we put ourselves into it. First and foremost it important to assess the self before engaging a project that involves and affects others-- this should be the same when approaching Pattern Language. This will allow for better use and quality of a collective outcome.

Solution: 

Creating #0 "Self and Personalization Pattern Language/card" will encompass a simplicity of ways in which the user can better adapt the  existing pattern cards as well as enhance their goals.

The start of a great day is, typically, from a well rested evening. In this, so should the use of pattern language be approached from a readied mind. Here are ten questions to ask yourself as you read through the pattern language-- these will aid in optimizing the mind toward any agenda:

1.       What do I believe about myself—my strengths, skills, passions, purpose?

2.       What do I believe about the world – how we connect, how we communicate, how we get things done, how we operate?

3.       How do I affect my world—what do I bring to the table?

4.       What would I change about the world—what is needed to accomplish this task?

5.       What do I already have in place to contribute?

6.       What already exists to aid in this endeavor?

7.       What else is needed?

8.       Who else may share this vision—what can they add, what can they assist with?

9.       How should things work when completed—how should it be maintained?

10.   How can this be improved?

Categories: 
orientation
Categories: 
engagement
Themes: 
Theory
Adam Selon
CIRAL