Introduction- Darren of the Co-operative Hive - and Pamela of Dadamac November 8, 2010
Hi Darren and all
I'm also in SE UK (SE London zone 4). (More about me http://www.dadamac.net/about/pam)
Our overlapping interests include
- Being interested in a mixture of theory and practice
- Systems thinking (I studied various "systems-thinking" related course at the OU. I sometimes think I've forgotten it all, because I can't do the proper diagrams any more - but as they say "a mind once stretched by an idea never returns to its original shape" - and often when I find someone I can share ideas with easily I discover they are "systems thinkers")
- Eco/appropriate-tech things - in connection with Attachab eco-village and Zittnet "Appropriate power and ICTs for the developing world"
Haven't had time to follow all your links - but couldn't resist the one on "Complex Responsive Process" thinking
http://bobcannell.blogspot.com/2010/10/break-free-from-our-systems-prison.html
I found it shed extra light on issues related to my own experiences with Dadamac OK and Organisational issues of 21st-century systems - August 27, 2010 . I think it could also provide useful insights regarding organisational issue in COTW and OpenKollab.
(Hmm - Where would this fit in the resources collection? How would I come across such treasures in future when COTW is really up and running? How would I stumble across emails like yours if I hadn't happened to be reading the right list? Wouldn't it be wonderful if "I" didn't have to think how to remember about your email but if I could just know that "the catalyst system" - or whatever bit of COTW is appropriate - would take care of it for me. That's my dream.)
I hope to read more from you - maybe talk some time.
Pamela
Hello Coalitionistas,Been very busy but trying to follow the conversations of CotW since movement camp.
Find the whole thing very interesting and look forward to interacting
with you all.A quick introduction.
I've been involved with decentralised biofuel technologies for ten years
- a few years in the middle working at a small biofuels co-operative
developing a demonstration project - running a fleet of modified engines
on pure plant oilswww.vegburner.co.uk
www.obed.org.uk
www.b-e-t.org.ukI've been interested in co-operatives practically all my adult life - first
attempting to set up a housing co-op in the early 1990s. I also was
involved with a LETS trading scheme around the same time.Since the beginning of the credit crisis I have become very interested
in the functioning of the worlds financial system and economics.A blog of my ramblings...
https://www.hive.coop/blogs/My-Blog/?userId=91This led me to become involved with efforts to establish a small
consortia co-operative of self employed people - which aims to start
producing goods for member use and trade and to experiment with
alternative ways of interacting economically.Many of the conversations on CotW touch upon subjects relevant to my research and work.
A quick comments/observations to throw into the mix.
Systems thinking -
researching governance systems I ran across Stafford Beers cybernetic
management system. Which led me to Suma whole food co-op who
experimented with such techniques a few decades ago.I found a recent post where a member commented on their experiences (down the page in
comments)
http://www.suma.coop/2010/01/12/food-cooperative-forum/More recently Bob posted this blog which gave more detail of "Complex
Responsive Process" thinkinghttp://bobcannell.blogspot.com/2010/10/break-free-from-our-systems-prison.html
BestDarren