Cards On Table II: Communication

Rough draft: Version 0.9, © Valerie Gremillion 2000

Basic Concepts: the Importance of Communication

Communication is the heart of the Global Dialog Project. True communication can only be born of connection, of recognition and acceptance of The Other - so that simply agreeing to communicate, we come closer to recognizing our similarities and to building on our connection. Communication usually implies information is being transmitted. Even more, it says that information might have the power to change the perceptions and thus the behavior of the recipient, since Information --> shapes perceived options --> determines possible actions But information alone is not enough. Information must be conveyed to others in a way that it can be heard, to have an impact, to change or affect the system. This is why it is so important to design a system and structure in which communication can better be received, which encodes within it the means to reduce negative interactions like flaming, and instead supports understanding, reconciliation, tolerance, and consensus building. GD needs to work this from both directions. First, how to help people convey their true communicatory intent, their ideas, their frameworks and solutions, their dreams and feelings in such a way that it enhances our recognition of interdependency and connectedness. And second, how to help the recipients be open to true dialog, be accepting and tolerant of opinions others than their own, take the good that is there and let go of what does not meet with resonance. A final aim is for all participants to take the concept of dialog toward useful solutions, into all parts of their lives. GD can help shape the dialog itself by the structure and organization of form and content, and by being clear how we hope the dialog will be approached - with honesty, without manipulative intent, with acceptance of the diversity of viewpoints, and with the shared intention of all working toward the best possible future for all humans and our world. One of the ways this can be done is through recognizing the many forms of communication and their virtues and pitfalls. By using multiple forms of communication we not only reduce the likelihood of misinterpretation, we reduce the drawbacks of all forms while drawing on the virtues. Even more important, we create a framework that is as inclusive as possible in which all can particiapte. This means approaching dialog through as many forms as possible - discussion lists and message boards, chatrooms and web postings, communication through art and music and poetry, and creating a 'real life' community component in the world of our global community. It also means working to extend the dialog to those without computers, in all countries; seeking out the wisdom of indigenous cultures only rarely found 'wired', and making efforts to include those often excluded from such dialog, including the elderly, teenagers, minorities, and all others. For Global Dialog to work, it must be inclusive, it must be broad, and it must recognize the need for different kinds of communication and expression. Further, it must be explicit that our differences may be the means by which we can resolve the problems we all face, and are not the things preventing us from reaching solutions: our strength lies in our diversity as well as our shared viewpoints. A primary goal of GD, then, is to facilitate shared communication by generating a framework in which all can be heard, and the most valuable ideas shared and propagated.