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research_report_maggie_buxton [2009-01-22 00:35] 118.93.84.195research_report_maggie_buxton [2020-06-06 11:58] (current) – old revision restored (2009-02-16 01:08) nik
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-===== Hybrid Story-IngUngenreable Engagements and Transdisciplinary Facilitation =====+===== TricksterTransformation 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; 
-The **overall aims** for this process are: +  * 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 
-  - To provide user friendly material that is informative and inspirational to Foam, and to a wider audience that has not encountered these concepts before +  * supporting and promoting the work of Foam and gRig by increasing knowledge, fostering networks and inspiring their membership
-  - 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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 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]][[http://lib.fo.am/transdisciplinary_facilitation]]**
  
 +http://un-fiction.blogspot.com/2009/01/trandisciplinary-engagement-and.html
  
 http://www.un-fiction.blogspot.com/2008/06/luminous-green-singapore.html http://www.un-fiction.blogspot.com/2008/06/luminous-green-singapore.html
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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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 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   * hybrids that evade categorisation by existing mental models
   * activities that blur the dichotomies of right and wrong, true and false, real and unreal   * activities that blur the dichotomies of right and wrong, true and false, real and unreal
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 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 consciousnesswhere 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 shift in ones consciousness. A shift where one'relationship to reality becomes fundamentally different.   
 + 
 +Consciousness is 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.
  
 Developmental theorists all describe, in one form or another, transformations in consciousness and evolutionary development from simple to increasingly complex ways of seeing the world (Cranton:77). These movements are involve profound shifts in perspective. Developmental theorists all describe, in one form or another, transformations in consciousness and evolutionary development from simple to increasingly complex ways of seeing the world (Cranton:77). These movements are involve profound shifts in perspective.
  
-What is the relationship between transformation and development?+== What is the relationship between transformation and development? == 
 + 
 +The answer is related to the term 'perspective'.  
 + 
 +The Oxford Dictionary(2005) gives two descriptions of the word perspective: 
 + 
 +  - a particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view  
 +  - 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 Online Oxford Dictionary gives two descriptions of the word perspective: 
  
-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 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. 
  
 This closely relates to shifts in consciousness, and transformative learning experiences where underlying ideas and assumptions that were once hidden, are exposed and seen from a distance. Each time a new set of assumptions are revealed and changed a developmental shift may occur. This closely relates to shifts in consciousness, and transformative learning experiences where underlying ideas and assumptions that were once hidden, are exposed and seen from a distance. Each time a new set of assumptions are revealed and changed a developmental shift may occur.
  
-Examining underlying assumptions is labelled many ways, but ‘meta-reflection’ is one of the most popular terms used to describe this process+Examining underlying assumptions can be labelled many ways, but ‘meta-reflection’ is one of the most popular terms used to describe this process.
  
 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.
  
-===== But how do transformations in consciousness occur? ===== +== 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.
  
-Typically transformative moments are characterised by a recognition of some undeniable truth that flies in the face of – or -puts the lie to some fundamental belief you’ve held, possibly without even knowing it. [Schlitz: 203]+Typically transformative moments are characterised by a recognition of some undeniable truth that flies in the face of – or -puts the lie to some fundamental belief you’ve held, possibly without even knowing it. (Schlitz,2007:203]
  
-Profound and permanent shifts are often triggered by intense suffering, disruption or crisis. In fact, change is what happens when the pain of remaining the same becomes greater than the pain of changing  [Schlitz: 35].+Profound and permanent shifts are often triggered by intense suffering, disruption or crisis. In fact, change is what happens when the pain of remaining the same becomes greater than the pain of changing (ibid: 35].
  
-They also occur in moments of profound awe, wonder, or transcendent bliss. When a glimpse of something that is so compelling, so completely beyond what has been realised possible before, can instill in a strong intention to find out more about what happened – no matter what it takes. +Shifts also occur in moments of profound awe, wonder, or transcendent bliss. When a glimpse of something that is so compelling, so completely beyond what has been realised possible before, can instill in a strong intention to find out more about what happened – no matter what it takes. 
  
-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, 2007:68
- 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 sustainable way of creating shifts in behaviour? =====+This broadening helps us grow and evolve as human beings, and allows us more options and greater sense of agency in the world. In essence it is empowering.
  
 +== 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:
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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,) +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.  
  
-To some extent I did put more focus on [ARGs] and it is clear from even just a small scale experiment that shifts in perspective did occur, among teachers and the children involved. In most instances this was not life changing, but there was a hint in some of the statements and feedback of possible deeper shifts in perspective. However more research is needed.  +To some extent I did put more focus on ARGs see[[http://lib.fo.am/alternate_reality_game]] and it is clear from even just a small scale experiment that shifts in perspective did occur, among teachers and the children involved. In most instances this was not life changing, but there was a hint in some of the statements and feedback of possible deeper shifts in perspective. However more research is needed.  
  
 That said, to my knowledge this is the first time, or one of the rare times, that these types of methods and tools have been cross correlated with consciousness shift and transformative development.  Simply identifying methods that could possibly be used in this way is potentially a breakthrough.   That said, to my knowledge this is the first time, or one of the rare times, that these types of methods and tools have been cross correlated with consciousness shift and transformative development.  Simply identifying methods that could possibly be used in this way is potentially a breakthrough.  
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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 ====
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