SPARK workshop 3

Some more observations from the SPARK workshop ...

Network of centres

I really liked this diagram, which was produced by one of the other groups. I think it echoes some of the ideas of Christopher Alexander about order emerging from the progressive differentiation and completion of a network of centres. The diagram shows a network of services, each drawn as a hub surrounded by some critical Web 2.0 stuff: community, rich content, trust requirements, dynamic mediation. There are centripetal and centrifugal forces, which represent business advantage (outwards) and business constraint/cost (inwards).

Emergence

Nick Gall (Gartner) suggested a simple economic model of emergence, based on benefit to the direct and indirect user, as well as to the provider. This model could help to add richness to the notions of centripetal and centrifugal forces shown in the previous diagram. This reminded me of another model of emergence by Kevin Kelly, which he called Nine Laws of God, included in his great book Out of Control. Kelly's model includes many of the themes that are relevant to innovation in Web 2.0.

Distribute being, Control from the bottom up, Cultivate increasing returns, Grow by chunking, Maximize the fringes, Honor your errors, Pursue no optima; have multiple goals, Seek persistent disequilibrium, Change changes itself.