Week 3 – Discussion with @cshirky

This week I discussed with @cshirky my concept to attempt to undertake some actual experiments and testing for this project.  I realized having spoken to him, that this was quite an ambitious idea to execute in just 12 weeks.  It takes longer than this for behavior to change, and I need time to research tweaks, ideas, concepts to integrate into already-existing group rules, before I even reach the testing stage.

Instead, he suggested picking 10 diverse discussion groups/forums.  Observe them, find trends, and look for patterns.  Having done that, I’d be in a position to present a detailed study of behavior patterns within online groups.  This idea appeals to me, specifically choosing 10 diverse groups, my aim is present research that people from many different sectors would find useful.  Also – from a interest point of view, it makes it fascinating for me to research.  Feedback from the class indicated this was a good change in tack, with the additional suggestion of finding a ‘control group’ where there is lively debate, discussion, decision making that takes place successfully.

Week 4

I took the NY State Bar Exam this week – sadly no Noisy Idiots time, just torts, evidence, crim pro etc.

Week 5

The selection of ten groups to study is well underway and will be presenting them in class tomorrow. The list is subject to change.  I want to select groups from a variety of subject areas such as politics, music and the arts.  I also attempted to pick groups with a variety of control mechanisms – some requiring registration, some heavily moderated – others not.  Any suggestions for other groups to study would be very much appreciated.

Tea Party Patriots

This is a fascinating group to study, the Tea Party is in the press a lot recently following Sarah Palin’s appearance at National Tea Party Convention in early February.  According to an article in the Economist on February 11, where “Much of the Nashville event was devoted to teaching the fired-up newbies practical skills, such as using Facebook and Twitter to spread the word, raise money and get out the vote … “  I anticipate lots of group discussions aimed at working together, to make decisions and reach consensus from grass roots Tea Party Groups.

Debate Europe

I want to revisit this group I studied initially for the first Noisy Idiots Dilemma paper.  Specifically because it is an example of a heavily moderated forum, with strict user registration requirements, with a substantial amount of single-issue Noisy Idiot behavior.  I’d also like to see if anything has changed there since this time last year.

Music Discussion

An example of where people seem to get along – a harmonious community, how do they do it?  Is it because subject matter is really not contentious?  I’d like to explore further.

White House 2

Jim Gilliam’s site, with very novel ways of optimizing group discussion, an example of people attempting to reach consensus on issues, with very effective moderation techniques – having spoken to Jim he’s a knowledgeable resource on dealing with Noisy Idiots.

Not Yet Ascertained Open Source Program Forum

I’m currently reading Steven Weber’s The Success of Open Source, and very much want to study an open source programing forum, however I need some advice from some techie-er members of the class than me,  @thomasrobertson, will be speaking to you tomorrow!  Open source program communities are quite unique in how they work together to build something and refine it – and they evolve in ways that are fascinating in terms of group interaction online.  They’ve also been around for a while.  This linux forum is an example.

Final thoughts:

In the next week, I anticipate finalizing the ten groups and complete the proposed analysis model to use.