Dear all,
Regarding this recent discussion (in many threads) regarding bullying,
discrimination, and so on, I thought of offering a point of view. It might
be useful to say that as far as this community goes, I am part of the
PhD-in-process (mostly silent) group which has over a few years benefited
from reading many dialogues here. The main reason for this post is
precisely, if I consider myself part of the list, perhaps I may attempt to
contribute constructively if I find that there may be a new perspective to
an existing challenge.
From my standpoint, the challenge appears to be that some members of the
list are feeling discriminated by others who feel that their intention is
not to discriminate. The discussion around that has brought much theory,
analysis and argumentation informed by profound personal, professional and
academic experiences. From a design perspective, it seems that the approach
to this challenge has been problem-focused as opposed to what perhaps
should be our tendency, which is to have a solution-focused problem solving
method. In this sense, one side of the group feels the other should change
their approach, and the other side does not recognize their approach as
being the way it is described.
A thought around that is that versions of this are happening everywhere
from kindergarten play yards, to corporations, to countries. But in this
case there are options. Some of the options for this group are: debate,
stop debating, dialogue, watch from a distance, or just leave. Having
options certainly is a plus here because, unlike too many settings around
the world, having options means no one is helpless; which means there is
opportunity (especially within a group of postgraduate level thinkers), to
view this as a chance to leave a legacy of actual social innovation (which
seems to be a strong interest of forthcoming design thinking). I will
venture and say that the way this challenge is being approached now is:
Others’ views are being filtered-by and reacted-to from self views informed
by strong held values.
It has been recognized in some of the threads regarding this topic, that
personal and professional values and beliefs impact our reactions and
decisions (and this is also said about design decisions in literature).
Literature suggests that much of that impact is unconscious and automatic.
It could be said that at times when the state of mind is reactionary, or in
creative flow, or in knowing-in-action, any (moral, ethical, philosophical,
etc.) tendencies which are based on values, beliefs and skills acquired
overtime, which inform unconsciously decisions made or actions taken on
those states, are already pre-determined.
And it may very well be that we are able to articulate on-demand such core
values in an intellectual level and rationalize what our reactions may be.
The question is whether we are able to see and consider clearly what it is
that we are reacting to, and is it really the way it is perceived? Now, of
course, theoretically one could suggest that the solution is to attempt to
view and consider the point of view of the others and live happily ever
after. And, whilst there appears to be some (not much) autopoiesis
happening around the topic, the fact is that it is not without many
members, openly or quietly, either leaving the list, ignoring it, or
choosing to wait for it to subside.
So, for me, the question is:
Would it be worth for a group of design academics to recognize that this is
a ubiquitous human challenge and so approach it in a way that may
contribute to social innovation from first-hand experience?
After all, isn't that the point of the new multi-disciplinary
multi-stakeholder approaches to design? And, if one of the problems
identified is that others’ views are not being considered at face value,
meaning with (at least) reduced bias; then what would be ways to attempt to
near such open multiple perspective consideration? It would appear logical
to just seek to hover to and relate to same-thinking groups (hence create
new lists). I’d ponder whether that would actually solve anything, and I’d
certainly wonder whether similar issues of differentiation would just
naturally emerge.
I believe that if enough members (both silent and active) were to at least
consider that question, or at least weigh-in whether the question is worth
asking, it would be a start. Since it is my view that the question is worth
asking, then from a solution-focused perspective (informed by my personal,
professional and academic values and beliefs) I’d offer a thought or two.
My academic topic of interest (which is discussed by some design academics)
is the concept (and modern interpretation) of Mindfulness and it’s
relevancy to design. Many stories stemming from wisdom traditions texts
point to the value of bringing the theory of ways of being to urban
settings where they can really be put to the test. Thousands of years of
refinement in traditional contexts, and four decades of serious scientific
research support the potential value of such practices in many applications
of modern human endeavor.
Mindfulness is a mind training process that always involves an observer, an
object of observation and a way to observe. The developing skill of a
mindful attitude resides in the practice of differentiating the observer
from the observed object, and in the way to observe to be one that is open
(receptive) and sustained. In other words it is sought to form a discipline
of paying attention in this way so that the skill is developed and it may
permeate ways of being. A way to understand such receptive way of observing
is by caring to consider deliberately more (or new) aspects of known or
habitual situations. For example, the experience of a non-toothache.
Happening now to most of us, but not necessarily attended to or
appreciated. More can be said about this, but it is offered only as an
overview.
What I consider might be useful now is the suggested effects of the
practice as they may relate to the challenge being discussed. Science
suggests that a practice of a form of mindfulness (there are many) called
intra-personal attunement has effects which in my view are relevant to this
dialogue. The technique stems from a systems view of the self as a
multitude of interrelated aspects, some of which may appear to be, or
straight up are contradictory; yet part of the same system. In essence it
is about recognizing non-toothache-like aspects of elements of our
perception. This process would seem to lead to more informed inner
perceptions and paradoxically, this sustained practice of self-observation
individually leading to increased self-knowledge, is claimed to effect
interpersonal relationships. Specifically, the claim is that through a
formed discipline of mindfulness, perceptions are more informed, multiple
perspectives are more considered, and areas of the brain responsible for
enhanced interpersonal relationships are developed.
Said more simply, it would appear as if a formed discipline of receptive
observation of inner self views (seeking to recognize non-toothache-like
aspects) potentially can enhance receptive (less biased) consideration of
others’ views. It takes a commitment of at least to start to attempt to
view known situations in novel ways, but I think that’s what we do as
designers, no?
Best regards;
Fernando Rojas
Design PGR
Northumbria University School of Design
https://northumbria.academia.edu/fmrojas
---
On Wed, Feb 1, 2017 at 10:44 AM, clare bell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> "this is a highly deficient field whose hope for future
> development lies not in a defense of what was but *only* in openness to
> wider ranges of thinking and practice"
>
> Hear, hear.
>
> Best,
> C
>
> Clare Bell
> Lecturer, Visual Communication
> Typography Ireland @typographyIRL
> Board Member: ATypI @ATypI
>
> Room NA 104
> Dublin School of Creative Arts
> Dublin Institute of Technology
> 7 Grangegorman Lower
> Dublin 7
>
> Tel: 01 4024245
>
>
>
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