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research_report_maggie_buxton [2009-01-22 00:41] – 118.93.84.195research_report_maggie_buxton [2009-01-22 01:00] – 118.93.84.195
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-===== Hybrid Story-Ing, Ungenreable Engagements and Transdisciplinary Facilitation =====+===== Trickster, Transformation and Transdisciplinary Engagement ===== 
  
- [This research is still in progress] 
-  
  
 ==== Context ==== ==== Context ====
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 Environmental and social activists have for years attempted to re-educate humanity to be more responsible for their environment, and more kind to their fellow inhabitants on the planet.  The problem with this work is that much of it is aimed at shifting behaviour level, it is not aimed at shifting mindset, epistemology or consciousness.  And, the challenge at this point in time, is that most of humanity do not even know they have a mindset, let alone have the cognitive capacity to make their epistemology a source of study.     Environmental and social activists have for years attempted to re-educate humanity to be more responsible for their environment, and more kind to their fellow inhabitants on the planet.  The problem with this work is that much of it is aimed at shifting behaviour level, it is not aimed at shifting mindset, epistemology or consciousness.  And, the challenge at this point in time, is that most of humanity do not even know they have a mindset, let alone have the cognitive capacity to make their epistemology a source of study.    
  
-So Foam, and gRig could be seen as subversive tricksters, formed to confound, confuse and ultimately destabilise consensus reality.  The nature of their work is to connect the marginal and foster the surreal.  To take it further, Foam’s notion that we can grow our own world(s) if fully grasped, has the potential to emancipate individuals and groups from a paradigm of apathy, fatalism and co-enabled victimhood. +So Foam, and gRig could be seen as subversive tricksters, formed to confound, confuse and ultimately destabilise consensus reality.  The nature of their work is to connect the marginal and foster the surreal.  To take it further, Foam’s notion that we can grow our own world(s) if fully grasped, has the potential to emancipate individuals and groups from a paradigm of apathy, fatalism and co-enabled victimhood.  This report explores these areas, and attempts to set out an emancipatory framework for the work of gRig using ideas from transformational learning movement, and by examining the qualities of The Trickster.  
 ==== Aim ==== ==== Aim ====
  
 This research project is focussed around discovering **the most effective mechanisms we can use to become more conscious of, and change, our relationship to reality** This research project is focussed around discovering **the most effective mechanisms we can use to become more conscious of, and change, our relationship to reality**
  
-It will connect a number of related disciplines. Transdisciplinary engagement and Hybrid Story-ing are the subject of particular investigation and experimental activity.    +It also has some general aims which include: providing user friendly material that is informative and inspirational to Foam, and to a wider audience that has not encountered these concepts before; encouraging people to grow their own worlds by: writing my blog, facilitating workshops, creating mixed media installations, and discovering and disseminating stories and best practice; facilitating integration of worlds through connecting people and organisations across boundaries in whatever forms feel appropriate to the context and supporting and promoting the work of Foam and gRig by increasing knowledge, fostering networks and inspiring their membership
- +
-The **overall aims** for this process are: +
- +
-  - To provide user friendly material that is informative and inspirational to Foam, and to a wider audience that has not encountered these concepts before.  +
-  - To encourage people to grow their own worlds by: writing my blog, facilitating workshops, creating mixed media installations, and discovering and disseminating stories and best practice. +
-  -  To facilitate integration of worlds through connecting people and organisations across boundaries in whatever forms feel appropriate to the context. +
-  -To support and promote the work of Foam and gRig by increasing knowledge, fostering networks and inspiring their membership+
  
 ==== Method and Scope ==== ==== Method and Scope ====
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 Unfortunately when we take for granted that: Unfortunately when we take for granted that:
  
-  - reality is a concrete structure rather co-constructed by consensus  +  * reality is a concrete structure rather co-constructed by consensus  
-  - that truth is there to be discovered rather than negotiated +  * that truth is there to be discovered rather than negotiated 
  
 we are in trouble on a number of levels because these ontological and epistemological frameworks, inherited from thinking generated around the time of the ‘enlightenment’,  lead to a number of other related assumptions: we are in trouble on a number of levels because these ontological and epistemological frameworks, inherited from thinking generated around the time of the ‘enlightenment’,  lead to a number of other related assumptions:
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 Uncritically assimilated habits of mind about the resources in our environment could lead us to wasting or destroying the world’s resources, thereby diminishing the possibility of there being energy, food, and shelter for all in the present and in the future.  Through questioning habits of mind that lead to oppression, poverty, and abuse, we can work toward sustainability. (Cranton,2008) Uncritically assimilated habits of mind about the resources in our environment could lead us to wasting or destroying the world’s resources, thereby diminishing the possibility of there being energy, food, and shelter for all in the present and in the future.  Through questioning habits of mind that lead to oppression, poverty, and abuse, we can work toward sustainability. (Cranton,2008)
  
-===== But what methods and tools are most effective in supporting transformations of consciousness? ===== +== But what methods and tools are most effective in supporting transformations of consciousness? ==
  
 My research led me to a number of different methods and tools, however it was clear that there was great tension between breadth and depth.  On retrospect, it would have been more useful to pick one particular area and carry out an indepth study, rather than survey a number of different areas.   My research led me to a number of different methods and tools, however it was clear that there was great tension between breadth and depth.  On retrospect, it would have been more useful to pick one particular area and carry out an indepth study, rather than survey a number of different areas.  
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 But the challenge with work such as this is that it invokes the spirit of the Trickster. And Trickster activities are not easily measured and evaluated, at least not in mainstream terms. But the challenge with work such as this is that it invokes the spirit of the Trickster. And Trickster activities are not easily measured and evaluated, at least not in mainstream terms.
  
-===== The Trickster and Transformation ===== +== The Trickster and Transformation ==
  
 Hyde (1998), in his book Trickster Makes This World, talks about a number of trickster characteristics that fundamentally disrupt or call into question things we have taken for granted.  Trickster is in fact a transformative archetype that is set among us to help us develop and grow, although often the activities that feed this growth are unpleasant experiences.   Hyde (1998), in his book Trickster Makes This World, talks about a number of trickster characteristics that fundamentally disrupt or call into question things we have taken for granted.  Trickster is in fact a transformative archetype that is set among us to help us develop and grow, although often the activities that feed this growth are unpleasant experiences.  
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 According to Hyde’s extensive research, Trickster, through his sneaky acts and hilarious mistakes, makes us question dichotomy. Trickster calls us to ask: what is right and wrong? what is private versus collective ‘ownership’?  what is pure vs dirty? what is true and false? According to Hyde’s extensive research, Trickster, through his sneaky acts and hilarious mistakes, makes us question dichotomy. Trickster calls us to ask: what is right and wrong? what is private versus collective ‘ownership’?  what is pure vs dirty? what is true and false?
  
-The act of questioning creates the conditions for epistemologically shifts from dualistic functionalist and positivist frames of reference, to constructivist frames. This means greater meta-cognitive capacity, an ability to engage more effectively with complexity, and potentially even a shift to a way of viewing the world that is based on connective rather than separate ways of knowing. (Which is of great assistance in climate change work for example.)+This act of questioning creates the conditions for epistemologically shifts from dualistic functionalist and positivist frames of reference, to constructivist frames. This means greater meta-cognitive capacity, an ability to engage more effectively with complexity, and potentially even a shift to a way of viewing the world that is based on connective rather than separate ways of knowing. (Which is of great assistance in climate change work for example.)
  
 My efforts to create an ARG within a school were specifically designed to build the imaginative capacity of children and give them another option than the dichotomous notion of true and false which is reinforced by mainstream curriculum. My efforts to create an ARG within a school were specifically designed to build the imaginative capacity of children and give them another option than the dichotomous notion of true and false which is reinforced by mainstream curriculum.
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 It seems from my research that Trickster is an archetypal figure most clearly associated with transformational shifts, and the methods that can often bring these about.  It seems from my research that Trickster is an archetypal figure most clearly associated with transformational shifts, and the methods that can often bring these about. 
  
-===== Further Research and Opportunities ===== +== Further Research and Opportunities ==
  
 It is clear that this research has only scrapped the surface of an area that has tremendous potential to add to the fields of adult education, consciousness studies and also to the different creative disciplines mentioned in the material.  It is clear that this research has only scrapped the surface of an area that has tremendous potential to add to the fields of adult education, consciousness studies and also to the different creative disciplines mentioned in the material. 
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 More detailed experiments within the school can build on the initial pilot, and are being planned for 2009. Also experiments within the sustainability education arena, using methods not traditionally associated with environmental work eg ARGS, Guerilla Theatre etc. More detailed experiments within the school can build on the initial pilot, and are being planned for 2009. Also experiments within the sustainability education arena, using methods not traditionally associated with environmental work eg ARGS, Guerilla Theatre etc.
  
-It is clear that rather than thinking about the ‘effectiveness’ of particular reality shifting techniques, it is better to take an approach that involves multiple methods and tools, and couple this with simple behaviour shifting methods such as marketing tools and policy measures.  Evaluating this may need to involve creative and innovative techniques, as consciousness transformation is still an area that is little understood and controversial. +It is clear that rather than thinking about the ‘effectiveness’ of particular reality shifting techniques, it is better to take an approach that involves multiple methods and tools, and couple this with simple behaviour shifting methods such as marketing tools and policy measures. Evaluating this may need to involve creative and innovative techniques, as consciousness transformation is still an area that is little understood and controversial.
- +
-===== Final Points =====+
  
 +== Final Points ==
  
-Overall, as you will see from reading the blog, and the experimental work, there have been a number of positive outcomes from this research that meet the initial aims. Feedback from many different individuals shows that the  research has provided user friendly material, and inspiration to a wider audience that has not encountered these concepts before. It has encouraged a number of people to grow their own worlds in ways they would not have previously, and has connected a number of different worlds across traditional boundaries. Finally this project has actively promoted the work of Foam and gRig in a number of areas that it would not normally easily reach.+Overall, as you will see from reading the blog, and the experimental work, there have been a number of positive outcomes from this research that meet the initial aims.  
 +Feedback from many different individuals shows that the  research has provided user friendly material, and inspiration to a wider audience that has not encountered these concepts before.  
 +It has encouraged a number of people to grow their own worlds in ways they would not have previously, and has connected a number of different worlds across traditional boundaries.  
 +Finally this project has actively promoted the work of Foam and gRig in a number of areas that it would not normally easily reach.
  
 +The question is how to continue this work so that it continues to feed and supports both Foam, the creative professionals and organisations that have already become involved.  Particularly, the small school in South Auckland NZ, which, thanks to this project, has a number of regenerated and reactivated portals, minds and spirits.
  
 ==== References ==== ==== References ====
  • research_report_maggie_buxton.txt
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