eekim.com: EEK Speaks

Sun, Jan 02, 2005

Camels and Group Process #

This morning, GailTaylor told me where she first came across the term, "GroupGenius." From the TomorrowMakers' FAQ: (GIK)

In 1976 I stumbled on LawrenceHalprin's personal notebooks in the library. He had written the words "group genius" beside one of his stories. At that moment I realized that my work was all about what has comed to be called GroupGenius. (GIL)

The story? (GIM)

"A camel is a horse designed by a committee." (GIN)

This old saw demeans the camel - which is an admirably designed animal (for the environment in which he lives) and the group design process. It is not the ideas of colllective creativity which has failed but the committee idea itself: which attempts to function without clear understanding of the necessary processes involved in group problem solving. (LawrenceHalprin, 1974) (GIO)

/collaboration | Posted at 12:00pm

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EEK Speaks

A blog about collaboration, community-building, and the various goings-on at Blue Oxen Associates, with occasional digressions on food and other vital matters.