ODD-CON Reasoning

This post is in response to questions about in the comments of This Post, and from Jim Groom. Before going further I will warn you all that I may get more emotional than usual, being that I'm having trouble getting this idea's reasoning into linear writing.

There are many reasons I see for having a digitally distributed conference format, especially on learning in the way people have been trying to promote at several of the conferences I know of. So, let's got on with this, after you read, or reread, this post. I don't intend to pull any punches either.

First off, I'm surprised at the resistance to the idea. Economic pressures are hitting those who would normally go to these conferences, so having a lower cost to attend makes sense just as a means of keeping those conferences alive and well. Most conferences are walled gardens as securely locked as the LMSes being condemned for the same behavior. Seemed to me this would have been obvious, and enough, to pursue the idea.

I'm one of those students that would like to be a part of the discussions. Right now I'm yelling with all my might to be allowed to participate, and being asked, "Why? What's the point?" Well, you asked for it, so here it is. I've read about many conferences like E3, the GDCs, Virtual World Conferences, Mobile learning conferences, Northern Voice, GLS and many others that I have no way to possibly participate in. I'm stuck as a passive content consumer, when I even have that option, and it's ticking me off. After hearing people want to hear from people like me, I'm shut out of the real events. I'm just too determined to make my ideas reality to care if you are standing in my way.

Blogging just DOESN'T cut it as participation. I'm a student, a game designer, a full time employee, potentially the User Interface & Experience designer for a start-up, an educational entrepreneur and that leaves little time for me or blogging, let alone the social blogging needed to participate in the discussions. Each of those things I listed are completely seperate endeavors. People like me CAN break into circles and get mentioned in OLDaily, but most of the people who need to be hearing about this stuff aren't going to push themselves into your conversations for long enough to really count. The proof is in the history of these efforts. I've read such sentiments from several edubloggers.

How many people in the educational institutions are actually participating in a way comparable to Jim Groom? I know there are some out there, but most of these people are not connected. It would cost a fair amount for an institution to be fully participating in the blogsphere, and most of them would ask, "Why? What's the point?" Hmmm, sounds familiar.

If you want people outside your circles to participate, you have to take it to them. You have to give them a chance to see what's really going on, without all the press and other noise. I want to participate in the conventions and other events and am locked out by the restrictions. How many others like me do you think there are who don't even consider going to a convention, let alone several, due to the costs involved from time to money? How many more are just curious or don't know these events go on? These people are the ones who need to know this is going on for this to serious catch on and happen like a grassroots effort. Many of the serious don't have the time to put into the blogsphere to be a part of your conversations.

So, why would I say an Open Digitally Distributed Convention is the answer? That is because of the nature of a convention. People come intending to think about the topics. They choose to devote an acceptable amount of time to the event. So, they are intentionally receptive.

Those receptive people then participate in ways beyond passive content consumption in the present. Spontaneous talks in the hallway can be done through chats and in local venues. Meeting people who you might actually be able to work with locally doesn't happen at a normal convention, but could in the kind I am suggesting. That means it facilitates small local projects, networking and the generation of new ideas.

Then there are those who can't attend in a traditional way. You don't know how many people don't attend who would blow your mind with potential solutions they don't do anything with. Digital distribution and multiple viewing venues means that these people have options. Maybe they will participate in your local chats while watching the same interactive presentations. Maybe they will arrange, or participate in, viewing and venues with no physical location.

Institutions can become actively active in these kinds of events just by allowing those interested to use their facilities. Students and teachers, along with other faculty and maybe even some policy makers will watch or participate. I for one intend to approach the college I attend about local open venues for this if, no WHEN, it comes to pass.

I realize most of those who have criticized and questioned are not being aggressive or accusatory, but this is a serious sore spot for me. When I want to participate, I get told one thing or another about why I can't do it. Normally I'm nice, quiet and just keep at it. My usual verbal response is, "Just watch." Then I proceed to do what was said to be impossible. This isn't like those times because to go forward I have to get others to understand why I am so determined. I suspect and hope that somebody less connected to this will do a nicer toned recap. I'm not that person, and these feelings are just as much of the reason for my determination as the logic. Others who want to help are likely just as foamy at the mouth.

Even if the normal conference venue is only changed in doing live feeds for the event, open chats and other such things, it would be great. By using the ideas and techniques that are talked about we do many things. We gives examples, proof, guidance, ideas, inspiration, permission and much more regarding social motivation for people to emulate the model. The more the model is emulated, the more it is likely to be considered acceptable, eventually leading to a paradigm shift. That's how they usually happen.

I know there are a bunch of logistics to be worked out. I've already figured out some of the answers. First is that we need ways, plural, to guide people to find these events and resources. Links to and from convention sites and blogs should work with the mechanics of internet searches to make those sites easy to find. Second, we need to supply the help for individuals, groups and institutions to participate like was done in the Obama campaign. I want to use a URL I have in providing such a place, but I don't have the hosting or anything else needed to do this. That's part of why I posted something on Jim Groom's blog. People who know the things I don't could be reached through it. Third we need somebody dedicated, capable and crazy enough to pull this off, even if they are nothing more than a figure head. Fourth, each place takes care of itself, each presentation takes care of itself, with outside help when needed. This both gives people experience in organizing and distributes the demands of such an endeavor to the point that it can be free at the higher levels and possibly free at every venue.

This is no delusional dream. I'm not fooled into thinking this is going to go off without a hitch or have all campuses participate. However, as I said to Jim, "If we intrigue those who influence the circles, and those who want to participate without knowing how, I'll call it a success regardless of numbers." This is a catalyst event. You may look around and wonder how it is any different for your circles, but I look at this as the ability to be a part of those circles. I want in, and I want others to be able to get in.

If you want to know just how persistent, determined and factually backed I am, read up on my MBTI personality type, INTJ. If need be, I'll captain this ship, go down with it and resurface just because I'm that way. While I don't like taking charge, if I see no other way, I will.

http://typelogic.com/intj.html
http://www.personalitypage.com/INTJ.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INTJ
http://www.geocities.com/lifexplore/intj.htm
http://www.keirsey.com/handler.aspx?s=keirsey&f=fourtemps&tab=5&c=mastermind
http://fuzzy.snakeden.org/intj/
http://www.mypersonality.info/personality-types/intj/
http://intjcentral.com/
http://www.socionics.com/prof/intj.htm
http://www.e-mbti.com/intj.php
http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/myers-briggs/intj.htm

There's some really funny stuff in those, but I may be a little biased.

Have fun, spread the word and tell me what you think,
Igen Oukan
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ODD-CON Reasoning

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Video Games for Meditation

Maybe a week ago I was impressed by reaching level 9 playing Bejeweled 2 Hyper mode. Then a couple days ago I reached level 11. After some thought I realized it was through a variation of active meditation, something I'd read about in a fiction novel.

Now, first off I would like to specify the variation I'm talking about. It is reaching a calm and clear mental state like that reached through martial arts. Continuous action without being slowed by seperate conscious thought. Separate is an important word in this case because there is thought, but it doesn't slow down the actions. Yet the value is learning to control ones mind and emotions.

So, let's take a look at the benefits of this and then the means to reaching the goal.

Frustration is a big problem in playing games, studying and the rest of life. Being able to manage frustration is very helpful in those cases. Yes, all of our lives. It helps reduce stress and there-by can improve your health. For the purposes of this post, it's the mental and emotional control that is important. Such control helps in not over reacting and flipping out while under stress. It also helps in activities like studying and paying attention in class.

Now, with the basic benefits out of the way, I'm sure most of you readers can see the general possibilities.

The question is of course, "How?" How do we get that to work? With my recent experience with it through a game, and realizing it, I might have some answers. So here are my observations.

1) Be good at the game.

While I had noticed a while back how I played when I played at my best, I didn't get the understanding of how to practically apply a meditative state to the game till I was fairly proficient. This is so you can play the game semi-unconsciously. I don't mean necessarily mastering the game. How good you need to be depends on you. I had to come close to mastery to use enough of my mind, which brings me to the next observation.

2) Be at your functional limit.

The natural way people grow is to come to the functional limitations of a certain method and practice at that limit. I did this when I learned to read word-by-word from letter-by-letter. The same happened when I was playing Bejeweled. Looking for a my next move after things have settled. It was just too slow at the levels I'd get to while playing. Little by little I would slide into the meditative state until I stopped paying attention to the level and speed required. Next thing I knew, I was at level eleven, about twice the level I normally stop at.

3) Play a game like Tetris or Bejeweled.

This is to facilitate observation #2. With Tetris and Bejeweled, there is a level of difficulty where you have to get into the "zone" to go farther. That means it doesn't matter much who you are, how smart you are or how good your are. The game will work for this exercise.

4) Be willing to fail.

This is not simply saying that you are willing to, but a serious willingness to try hard and fall flat on your face several times. That's part of why I think games could be used well for this effort, and why games like Tetris and Bejeweled work best of all. When you expect to fail, such as in those two games, the question is about what you can do BEFORE you fail. If you are concerned with failing, you will not put it out of your mind enough to reach a meditative state.

Why this works is simple. Most people who can use normal meditative methods can sit still and be calm. So, it's those that have trouble sitting still, staying calm and so on that have problems with normal meditation.

With that in mind, the people who don't like sitting still and so on usually have something else like sports, games or martial arts that require them to calm their mind and focus. When they understand that to be a moving meditation, they can become familiar with that state through exercises like shown above. As they become more familiar with that state of mind it becomes easier to reach in other situations.

I commonly use juggling at home and Bejeweled at work for this reason; they work for me. I like to do those things and they help me clear my mind. The fact that I can calm myself and meditate normally doesn't detract from learning more about calming myself. In fact, I see the lack of it in many too serious individuals who are not willing to play such games, and those who insist on only thinking about winning. Back to that old phrase, "It's whether you win or lose, but how you play the game."

Have fun, spread the word and tell me what you think,
Igen Oukan
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Video Games for Meditation

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Strangled by Apathy

Simply put it is not the opposition that kills and stops wonderful possibilities, it's a lack of help. A person held back by the fear of failure is just as hindering as the person who watches the opposition with approval.

While working on a programming project by my self I once again felt the itch of poetry in the back of my mind. This is what happened.

One Less Hero
By Steven Egan

Blood marks the spot where
his head meets the wall

He does it again
in front of them all

Pain doesn't stop him
his will pushes through

doubters and scorners
not sure what he'll do

there's blood at his feet
more drops hit the ground

three people step out
from those gathered round

they come to his side
as if to support

three blades pierce his back
three grin at their sport

he throws back his head
yells with all his might

slams his head once more
with his will to fight

it shudders and cracks
the wall might not hold

if only again
he could be so bold

his head hits the ground
they all walk away

"See, it can't be done"
is all they will say

It's not for lack of effort or will that the person falls, but rather the lack of support. If another came to help him get up, what would happen? If somebody continued his fight, what would happen? Just because one person can't do something doesn't mean it can't be done. It means it takes more than that one person.

I don't care whether it's group mechanics, teamwork, game projects or in education, this still holds. There will be opposition, but will there be support? If you think something is worthwhile, give at least some positive feedback. If a colleague is having trouble, lend a hand. Sometimes all it takes is a passing smile and positive comment for the key person to continue the fight. So once again I ask, how are you working towards the future?

Have fun, spread the word and tell me what you think,
Igen Oukan
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Strangled by Apathy

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Bavacon

Over at Jim Groom's Bavatuesdays blog he posted that he wouldn't be attending Northern Voice, however the comment discussion is the interesting part. Comments of not being able to attend due to finances occurred several times, and got me thinking. Since I can't attend any such conferences, be they learning or game oriented, I'd like to see a conference made where people can attend digitally. The next comment, by Bryan Alexander, asked, "Is it time for ... Bavacon?"

That's how it started, a monster I may have helped create. Well, I intend to do so again. Jim responded to the discussion with, "You’re all maniacs! And if you all are serious about bavacon, I’ll have my people call your people and we’ll sort out a figure for my appearance. It’s gonna be big, and I ant a personal assistant and a driver, and I have a special menu as well. Additionally, you’ll each have to write a post for me, 500 words or more, explaining why the bavacon is the best idea you have ever read on the internets." So, I'm writing a post, at least 500 words, explaining why Bavacon is the best idea I've ever read about on the internet. Strangely enough, at the moment, I think it might be true.

First I shall share my comment which might have triggered this string of events.

"Might it be possible to arrange a digital conference thing with no physical location? A mash-up of sorts using different digital communication tools? AV chats, chat room discussions, feeds and more through a portalesque webpage to the individual locations? If needed I have a domain that would work well for this, and this goes right along with my plans for it. Unfortunately I don’t have the hosting or know-how to do that, or I would.

Kinda makes me think of the live twitter feed Downes had displayed during a presentations you told me about, and other such presentations I’ve come across. If some of us could pull that off, it might be just what we need to give more people access to the great events that go on.

As a person who doesn’t have the option to go to any of those events, this is a dream of mine. If I can’t go to the event, I’d like the event to come to me."

So why might Bavacon be the greatest idea I've read about on the internet?

First is the timing. With the economy problems, travel budgets are shrinking. The technologies to be used are easily accessible and widely varied. People are taking a serious interest in education and distance education. That interest is starting to wane due to other pressures. So, having a digital conference, possibly with a physical location, could start a wave of accessibility to learning conferences. With some interest in pushing the conference model into the Web 2.0 and other interests in improving conferences, now could very well be the best time for such an experiment

Second is the draw. The Bava is a collection of creations by Jim Groom, who has plenty of contacts and could likely draw a crowd. That means the first event could be a big success. That would increase the chances of other conferences following suit. It also means that the word would spread, where if I were to try to do this there wouldn't be the draw to make it work.

Third is the accessibility. Jim is a serious advocate of accessibility in learning, be it in tools, materials, opportunities or software. So I don't doubt he would try to make the Bavacon accessible to the masses. This also came out of a discussion on not being able to attend conferences and events, so it isn't just Jim's ideals. It's also the direction this thing started in.

Fourth is the potential. This is where it becomes important. The timing of this could make this a big event in the learning circles. The draw of him and his contacts could add to the bigness of the event. An accessible learning conference would mean that teachers, educators, students and the masses could attend. Together that makes for a potentially huge event where students, teachers and policy makers can attend and possibly participate. Yet that is just the tip of the ice burg.

Local viewings and discussions are a possibility. In a single chat room it is hard to deal with 50 or more people. Yet if you have up to around 20 people in a discussion it is entirely possible.

Live and archived videos, twitter, RSS feeds, live and archived audio, chat rooms and live physical viewings or the video with discussion sessions afterward are all possibilities. That's all interaction and starting conversations.

Lastly, it's possible to do and get real results in a matter of months. Maybe it doesn't have all the brilliance of some things I've read about. Yet it also doesn't require the massive incubation period of other concepts. It's a step in what I consider the right direction.

Maybe this isn't the best post for me to resume blogging with, and maybe it doesn't get across the potential greatness I see in this idea. However, I'm happy with it and the idea. Truly I hope this, or something like it, happens soon so I can attend and be a part of moving things forward.

Have fun, spread the word and tell me what you think,
Igen Oukan
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Bavacon

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