Accordant Serendipity

How many good ideas, possible solutions to problems, have been watered down in an effort to garner votes; items dropped to appease moderates/radicals/the other party; tabled altogether because there weren't enough votes? This is the problem with rule by majority. The possible choices are quickly whittled down to a very small number and the process becomes about getting a majority rather than about actually solving a problem.

To paraphase Buckminster Fuller: if you are on a sinking ship, you might find yourself clinging to the top of a piano to keep yourself afloat. This does not mean that a piano top is the best design for a personal flotation device. We are dependent upon too many piano top solutions. Piano top solutions are the result of trying to get a majority rather than trying to solve a problem.

An alternative to consider: consultative accordant serendipity.

CONSULTATIVE: free discussion and presentation of ideas without bias and without ownership of ideas. MORE on consultation

SERENDIPITY: Serendipity is an unplanned fortunate discovery. Serendipity is a common occurrence throughout the history of product invention and scientific discovery. Serendipity is also seen as a potential design principle for activities that would present a wide array of information and viewpoints, rather than just re-enforcing a user's opinion.

ACCORDANT: Being in agreement or harmony; consonant. Corresponding; conformable; consonant; agreeable; of the same mind; harmonious.

There is also an element of synergy involved...the total being more than the sum of the parts, and unpredicted by any of the parts.

BACK