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research_report_maggie_buxton [2009-01-22 00:58] – 118.93.84.195research_report_maggie_buxton [2020-06-06 08:17] – old revision restored (2009-01-22 00:08) 114.119.166.207
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-===== Trickster, Transformation and Transdisciplinary Engagement ===== +===== Hybrid Story-Ing, Ungenreable Engagements and Transdisciplinary Facilitation =====
  
 + [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.  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.  +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. 
 ==== 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.   
  
 The **overall aims** for this process are: The **overall aims** for this process are:
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 http://www.un-fiction.blogspot.com/2008/10/expo-of-un-popular-culture.html (item on Greg Broadmore and Weta Studios) http://www.un-fiction.blogspot.com/2008/10/expo-of-un-popular-culture.html (item on Greg Broadmore and Weta Studios)
  
-  * **transdisciplinary facilitation**+ *** transdisciplinary facilitation**
  
  
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-  * **exhibitions and expeditions**+  *** exhibitions and expeditions** 
 + 
 http://www.un-fiction.blogspot.com/2008/05/design-for-other-90.html http://www.un-fiction.blogspot.com/2008/05/design-for-other-90.html
  
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-  * **publications, talks and movies** +**  * publications, talks and movies**
  
  
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-  * **meandering musings** +**  * meandering musings**
  
  
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-  * **reality challenging psychological sydromes**+*** reality challenging psychological sydromes**
  
  
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 Material was also collected through through reviewing literature from the transformational learning field, from management deveopment, from anthropological books and from fictional novels. These are listed in the references section. Material was also collected through through reviewing literature from the transformational learning field, from management deveopment, from anthropological books and from fictional novels. These are listed in the references section.
  
-**The next section will summarise findings from all of these activities and discuss future implications and areas for further research** +=== The next section will summarise findings from all of these activities and discuss future implications and areas for further research ===
 ==== Discussion ==== ==== Discussion ====
  
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 These shifts from seperate to connected forms of knowing are co related with shifts in consciousness and increases in our meta-cognitive capacity. These shifts from seperate to connected forms of knowing are co related with shifts in consciousness and increases in our meta-cognitive capacity.
  
-**A summary of key points from the research are:**+A summary of key points from the research are:
    
   * Transformation is often is associated with shifts in consciousness and developmental evolution, which allows individuals to have a greater sense of epistemological choice and awareness, and often a deeper connection to spirit and sense of meaning in their lives.   * Transformation is often is associated with shifts in consciousness and developmental evolution, which allows individuals to have a greater sense of epistemological choice and awareness, and often a deeper connection to spirit and sense of meaning in their lives.
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   * Transformation most often happens when our fundamental assumptions about reality are undermined through either disturbance and disruption, or experiencing profound awe, or very conscious and critical reflection.   * Transformation most often happens when our fundamental assumptions about reality are undermined through either disturbance and disruption, or experiencing profound awe, or very conscious and critical reflection.
  
-  * Transformation of underlying assumptions the most sustainable method to bring out behaviour change both individually and at a group level. But also needs to be part of a multi-spectrum approach. 
  
-  * Methods and tools that facilitate this shift are those that disturb and confuse underlying perceptions of reality and/or that expand the confines or existing perceptions of reality.  +Transformation of underlying assumptions the most sustainable method to bring out behaviour change both individually and at a group level. But also needs to be part of a multi-spectrum approach. 
- +Methods and tools that facilitate this shift are those that disturb and confuse underlying perceptions of reality and/or that expand the confines or existing perceptions of reality. These methods fall into a wide range of tools and categories of artefact and experience that are interrelated and are deeply connected with the archetypical spirit of the Trickster: 
-These methods fall into a wide range of tools and categories of artefact and experience that are interrelated and are deeply connected with the archetypical spirit of the Trickster: +hybrids that evade categorisation by existing mental models 
- +activities that blur the dichotomies of right and wrong, true and false, real and unreal 
-  * hybrids that evade categorisation by existing mental models +processes that reveal hidden or obvious truths 
-  * activities that blur the dichotomies of right and wrong, true and false, real and unreal +mediums that stimulate multiple senses simultaneously or by- pass well used senses and engage different parts of the brain that are not normally in play 
-  * processes that reveal hidden or obvious truths +experiences that push the boundaries of consensus reality by inviting us to question whether something is real, exists, is happening.
-  * mediums that stimulate multiple senses simultaneously or by- pass well used senses and engage different parts of the brain that are not normally in play +
-  * experiences that push the boundaries of consensus reality by inviting us to question whether something is real, exists, is happening.+
 ways of engaging that create meeting points between different rhealms: spiritual, physical, digital, imaginal, magical to name a few. ways of engaging that create meeting points between different rhealms: spiritual, physical, digital, imaginal, magical to name a few.
  
 The following discussion moves through these areas in turn first examining transformation, and consciousness shift, then moving to a summary of some of tricksters methods and tools. The following discussion moves through these areas in turn first examining transformation, and consciousness shift, then moving to a summary of some of tricksters methods and tools.
  
-== What is transformation? == +What is transformation?
  
 In examining the literature it is clear that transformation means different things to different people.  In the sense I am using it, it is a full scale shift in ones consciousness, where ones relationship to reality itself is fundamentally different.  Consciousness can be seen to be a state of mind, but also a way of perceiving the world and our place within it.  If we perceive the world to be separate from us, and a place to that can be controlled, and predicted, this leads us to behave in different ways than if we believe ourselves to be part of a complex and continually emerging and evolving web of life. In examining the literature it is clear that transformation means different things to different people.  In the sense I am using it, it is a full scale shift in ones consciousness, where ones relationship to reality itself is fundamentally different.  Consciousness can be seen to be a state of mind, but also a way of perceiving the world and our place within it.  If we perceive the world to be separate from us, and a place to that can be controlled, and predicted, this leads us to behave in different ways than if we believe ourselves to be part of a complex and continually emerging and evolving web of life.
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 The Online Oxford Dictionary gives two descriptions of the word perspective: The Online Oxford Dictionary gives two descriptions of the word perspective:
  
-  - a particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view  +a particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view (The Oxford Dictionary of English, 2005).  
-  - the appearance of viewed objects with regard to their relative position and distance from the viewer; having a true understanding of the relative importance of things; a sense of proportion.(The Oxford Dictionary of English, 2005).  +the appearance of viewed objects with regard to their relative position and distance from the viewer; having a true understanding of the relative importance of things; a sense of proportion.
- +
 The first definition neatly describes a simple change in point of view or attitude, the second definition clearly makes the object more distant from the viewer where it is given a dimension in space, and has a relative importance, and a proportion in relation to everything else.  The first definition neatly describes a simple change in point of view or attitude, the second definition clearly makes the object more distant from the viewer where it is given a dimension in space, and has a relative importance, and a proportion in relation to everything else. 
  
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 Robert Kegan (1994) develops this idea of meta- reflection into five ‘orders of consciousness’, his framework involves increasingly sophisticated subject-object shifts. Object refers to those elements of our knowing or organizing that are sufficiently distinct from us so that we can do something about it. Subject refers to those elements of our knowing or organizing with which we are identified or embedded. We have object, we are subject. At each order of consciousness, what was formerly considered to be subject, and an embedded part of one’s identity, now becomes object, and can be viewed from the outside. These increasing degrees of reflexivity transform us, and allow for emancipation and a degree of choice that was not previously present. At the highest ‘order’ we able to make systems themselves object, including meaning making systems and our relationship to reality itself. Robert Kegan (1994) develops this idea of meta- reflection into five ‘orders of consciousness’, his framework involves increasingly sophisticated subject-object shifts. Object refers to those elements of our knowing or organizing that are sufficiently distinct from us so that we can do something about it. Subject refers to those elements of our knowing or organizing with which we are identified or embedded. We have object, we are subject. At each order of consciousness, what was formerly considered to be subject, and an embedded part of one’s identity, now becomes object, and can be viewed from the outside. These increasing degrees of reflexivity transform us, and allow for emancipation and a degree of choice that was not previously present. At the highest ‘order’ we able to make systems themselves object, including meaning making systems and our relationship to reality itself.
  
-== How do transformations in consciousness occur? ==+But how do transformations in consciousness occur?
  
 Major shifts occur when an individual encounters an alternative perspective and prior habits of mind are called into question. Educationalist, and transformative learning theorist Jack Mezirow, originally saw this transformational process as a single, dramatic event – a disorienting dilemma – but he and others have since acknowledged that it could also be a gradual process that occurs over time. Major shifts occur when an individual encounters an alternative perspective and prior habits of mind are called into question. Educationalist, and transformative learning theorist Jack Mezirow, originally saw this transformational process as a single, dramatic event – a disorienting dilemma – but he and others have since acknowledged that it could also be a gradual process that occurs over time.
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 Two pioneers of psychology, Keltner and Haidt propose that awe has two essential components perceived as vastness and a need for accommodation(2003) It may be that some experiences are so vast, so profound, so far beyond what we’ve previously perceived, that they in effect demand we transform our worldview in order to accommodate them. Rather than trying to assimilate these experiences into our constricted framework, we are forced to broaden that framework [Schlitz:68] This broadening helps us grow and evolve as human beings, and allows us more options and a greater sense of agency in the world. In essence it is empowering. Two pioneers of psychology, Keltner and Haidt propose that awe has two essential components perceived as vastness and a need for accommodation(2003) It may be that some experiences are so vast, so profound, so far beyond what we’ve previously perceived, that they in effect demand we transform our worldview in order to accommodate them. Rather than trying to assimilate these experiences into our constricted framework, we are forced to broaden that framework [Schlitz:68] This broadening helps us grow and evolve as human beings, and allows us more options and a greater sense of agency in the world. In essence it is empowering.
 + Being outdoors in nature, growing food, glimpsing creatures in water that was previously thought to be dead all of this holds great potential for a shift in consciousness.
  
-== Why is this process a sustainable way of creating shifts in behaviour? ==+Why is this process a sustainable way of creating shifts in behaviour?
  
 Our meaning making perspectives, or habits of mind, include uncritically assimilated ways of knowing, believing and feeling. They include distortions, predjudices, stereotypes, and simply unquestioned or unexamined beliefs and assumptions. (Cranton, 23) Our meaning making perspectives, or habits of mind, include uncritically assimilated ways of knowing, believing and feeling. They include distortions, predjudices, stereotypes, and simply unquestioned or unexamined beliefs and assumptions. (Cranton, 23)
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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:
- 
 we are separate from other beings and the planet we are separate from other beings and the planet
- +our actions don’t matter 
-our actions don’t matter +
- +
 nature is there for us to harvest nature is there for us to harvest
- 
 what we do in our homes is our own business what we do in our homes is our own business
- +other people are the cause of our problems 
-other people are the cause of our problems +
 other people should find the solutions other people should find the solutions
  
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 Interestingly some of the most recent research, primarily from within the education for sustainability movement recognises that the most sustainable form of behaviour change comes from the examination of habits of mind and underlying assumptions (Tilbury and Worman, 2004) Interestingly some of the most recent research, primarily from within the education for sustainability movement recognises that the most sustainable form of behaviour change comes from the examination of habits of mind and underlying assumptions (Tilbury and Worman, 2004)
  
-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,)
  
-== 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?
  
-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.)+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.)
  
 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.  +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.
-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 ====
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