I think the problem you raise is important and real, but I’m not sure that a post or policy or even a project would solve it, not even with improved feedback from people who are starting to drift away (which would be valuable, and which I’d love to discuss elsewhere). I think there may be a better approach, which is more likely to happen and more likely to succeed, since it will happen (and is already happening) anyway, as with most intellectual ‘movements’, especially those close to an emerging Zeitgeist or perennial topic.
Here’s the rub:
Should EA be like a supertanker, centrally controlled, and therefore perhaps more vulnerable* to whole-movement shipwreck or disgrace that goes unanswered?
Or should it be more like a fleet/regatta, able to weave, sub-divide and reunite, or to adapt depending on storms and circumstances/needs that become evident and ways to move which become viable?
And if “more like a fleet” is the answer, wouldn’t that also solve this disillusionment problem, because people could join the particular ship or sailing style which they like?
To a degree this is inevitably happening anyway, and I’ve seen it often in other contexts: Mennonites are famous for sub-dividing over minor differences, while retaining an overall unity. See also Quakers, NVC, scouts, psychoanalysts, socialists, even Utilitarians …. and that’s just the last century or so!
What’s the advantage of a unitary movement, especially if there is no central comms/PR?
* especially since there is no required comms plan and training for the core team and leading lights, who tend to be busy writing/researching/teaching, and no obvious overall PR/reputation management strategy, which seems very high risk, considering how interesting the topics are for journalists!
I think the problem you raise is important and real, but I’m not sure that a post or policy or even a project would solve it, not even with improved feedback from people who are starting to drift away (which would be valuable, and which I’d love to discuss elsewhere). I think there may be a better approach, which is more likely to happen and more likely to succeed, since it will happen (and is already happening) anyway, as with most intellectual ‘movements’, especially those close to an emerging Zeitgeist or perennial topic.
Here’s the rub:
Should EA be like a supertanker, centrally controlled, and therefore perhaps more vulnerable* to whole-movement shipwreck or disgrace that goes unanswered?
Or should it be more like a fleet/regatta, able to weave, sub-divide and reunite, or to adapt depending on storms and circumstances/needs that become evident and ways to move which become viable?
And if “more like a fleet” is the answer, wouldn’t that also solve this disillusionment problem, because people could join the particular ship or sailing style which they like?
To a degree this is inevitably happening anyway, and I’ve seen it often in other contexts: Mennonites are famous for sub-dividing over minor differences, while retaining an overall unity. See also Quakers, NVC, scouts, psychoanalysts, socialists, even Utilitarians …. and that’s just the last century or so!
What’s the advantage of a unitary movement, especially if there is no central comms/PR?
* especially since there is no required comms plan and training for the core team and leading lights, who tend to be busy writing/researching/teaching, and no obvious overall PR/reputation management strategy, which seems very high risk, considering how interesting the topics are for journalists!