The document discusses civic intelligence and engagement. It begins by providing background on The Evergreen State College, noting its focus on teaching, interdisciplinary learning, and student-determined learning. It then discusses several of the college's programs and efforts related to civic engagement, including working to create equitable public spheres and developing online tools to facilitate distributed meetings. The document goes on to discuss civic intelligence, defining it as how smart society is at addressing its problems collectively. It notes some shortcomings of current civic intelligence and provides examples of projects that demonstrate civic intelligence. Finally, it discusses different perspectives on civic intelligence and the need to recognize and improve it.

1. Technologies as Tools for
Engagement
Some thoughts on civic intelligence and
engagement
Douglas Schuler, douglas@publicsphereproject.org
The Evergreen State College
The Public Sphere Project

2. • Liberal arts college founded in 1969; focus on teaching, mostly under-graduate
• Integrates theory and practice
• Team-taught, interdisciplinary
• One of the 41 U.S. “Colleges that Change Lives”
• Narrative evaluations (no grades); Planning units (no departments); Student
determines learning (no required courses)
• The Sierra Club 2010 top 20 “Cool Schools” rated Evergreen for their efforts
to stop global warming and to operate sustainability
• Gateways program for incarcerated youth, MPA in Tribal Administration,
Sustainable prisons project, Center for Community Based Learning and Action,
etc.

3. • Help create and support equitable and effective
public spheres all over the world.
• Home of Liberating Voices patterns (http://
publicsphereproject/patterns)
• Activist Mirror Facebook game (http://
apps.facebook.com/activistmirror)
• e-Liberate, for distributed online meetings using
Roberts Rules of Order

4. Researchers ask questions.....
(In my opinion) the most timely,
interesting, challenging, and
important question we could be
asking ourselves right now is the
following:

5. Will we be smart enough,
soon enough?

6. That question captures...
• The fact that success shouldn’t be
taken for granted;
• that we are all in this together;
• that intelligence is necessary; and
• that the situation is urgent.

7. What is Civic Intelligence?

8. What is Civic Intelligence?
Informally, civic intelligence refers to how smart
society is as-a-whole in relation to its problems.

9. What is Civic Intelligence?
Informally, civic intelligence refers to how smart
society is as-a-whole in relation to its problems.
Civic intelligence is a form of collective intelligence
that focuses on shared problems.

10. What is Civic Intelligence?
Informally, civic intelligence refers to how smart
society is as-a-whole in relation to its problems.
Civic intelligence is a form of collective intelligence
that focuses on shared problems.
Although we know that civic intelligence exists, it’s
not explicitly acknowledged and hence not
something that we can readily examine or improve.

11. Problems seem to be growing
faster than solutions.

12. A few more shortcomings
of our civic intelligence

13. Civic Intelligence efficiently and creatively employs:
Civic means towards civic ends
Civic Intelligence integrates:
Thinking and Action

14. Different Names for Similar Concepts
Social Inquiry (John Dewey)
Community Inquiry (Ann Bishop & Bertram Bruce)
Social Learning (many authors)
Civic Community (Jane Addams)
Civic Capacity (Harry Boyte, Xavier Briggs)
Public Work Politics (Center for Democracy & Citizenship)
Civic Innovation (Carmen Sirianni & Lew Friedman)
Open Source Intelligence (Robert Steele)
World Brain (H.G. Wells)
Civilizational Competence (Piotr Sztompka)

15. From the Bookshelf... Some pieces of the puzzle
Democracy as Problem Solving How People Learn Activists Beyond Borders
Learning to Manage Global Environmental Risks Environmental Regime Effectiveness

16. Adopting a Civic Intelligence
Orientation Means....
• Integrating diverse disciplines
• Identifying and understanding current
examples — and counter-examples — and
encouraging new ones

17. How Do We Recognize
Civic Intelligence?
At a minimum an action or project that demonstrates
civic intelligence contains several necessary features:
• The organization and its products and projects have civic orientations and
work in civic ways
• The organization and its products and projects mobilizes around shared
challenges
• The organization learns over time
• The organization does things effectively and in novel ways when appropriate
• The organization thinks and acts
• The organization performs metacognition; i.e. it thinks about its thinking
• The organization and its products and projects promote this orientation in
itself and others

18. Generic Civic Intelligence Examples
• Transforming schools and other institutions devoted to public problem
solving — or, even, starting new ones
• Developing policy that improves civic intelligence
• Organizing workshops or conferences where people develop skills or learn
new knowledge
• Developing software that improves civic engagement (e.g. collaboration,
information sharing, deliberation)
• Developing new incentives and making resources (such as information)
available for people who are doing this work
• Increasing public consciousness about public problems
• Developing new ways to think about public problems or to address new
challenges
• Hosting public demonstrations or otherwise making public statements
• Using collaborative and other participatory techniques to create actionable
knowledge

19. Assertion 1. The entire academic community — not just the
computer science department — should prioritize the development
of online applications and other resources. It must also become a
major player in developing policies regarding the Internet.
• History of media suggests that colonization of the Internet is not
impossible.
• The speed of technological change is very fast and the speed of
scholarly and other less selfishly motivated approaches are lagging
behind.
• It’s not enough to study information and communication
technologies — or, even, to use them.
• The opportunities are gigantic and the window is still somewhat
open.
• Facebook and Twitter don’t exhaust the range of options.

20. Assertion 2. Engaged scholarship, community — academy partnerships,
etc. must compete for the future
• strong research
• interesting & compelling projects (sustaining — not just proof-of-
concepts)
• assertiveness
• develop new networks & transform existing ones
We need to ensure our work is seen as vital, challenging, creative,
legitimate, and cool.

21. Civic Intelligence
Four Perspectives
Civic intelligence as Social Science
Let's study it!
Civic intelligence as Policy
Let's support it!
Civic intelligence as Organizational Self-Reflection
Let's use it!
Civic intelligence as Social Movement
Each perspective related to the general concept (and to each other) but
each has different Goals, Activities, Strategies, Norms, Social Actors,
Resources, and Slogans.

22. Example
The Liberating Voices project which I coordinated is one
attempt at trying to cultivate civic intelligence.
I’ve included cards of several “patterns” that we’ve
developed that are particularly relevant to this
audience.

24. Civic Intelligence (1) Opportunity Spaces (33)
Our physical, social and knowledge worlds are changing rapidly.
Intelligence, more than anything else, describes the capacity to influence
and to adapt to a changing environment. Civic Intelligence describes how
well groups of people address civic ends through civic means. Civic
intelligence raises the critical question: Is society smart enough to meet
the challenges it faces? Opportunities help determine the possible paths to the future that are
available to people. Hence the opportunities that society offers are of
Organizations with civic missions have the responsibility to keep their critical importance. An Opportunity Space presents possible steps that
principles intact while interacting effectively with other organizations, both
people might take as they plan for, and move into, the future.
aligned with and opposed to, their own beliefs and objectives. Civic
intelligence requires learning and teaching. It also requires meta- Opportunities can include classes and seminars, volunteer positions,
cognition; analyzing patterns of thinking in order to improve them. jobs, contests, access to the media, timely announcements, mentoring,
scholarships, grants and others.
Effective and principled civic intelligence is necessary to help humankind
deal collectively with its collective challenges. People need to develop A number of questions came up in our exploration of opportunity
theories, models and tools of civic intelligence that can help integrate spaces. What opportunities exist? Do they exist for all citizens or just
thought and action more effectively. And, of course, this work is an
expression of civic intelligence.
privileged ones? How are these opportunities developed? Do people
know about them? How are they publicized? It is important to devote
Text: Douglas Schuler; Image: Stewart Dutfield attention and resources (including policy, services, media and
technological systems) to help create new (and improve existing)
"opportunity spaces" for people and communities who need them.
Text & image: Douglas Schuler

25. Citizen Science (37)
Participatory Design (36)
Many artifacts that we use are ill designed and do not appropriately
address the needs of the people for whom they are designed and
produced. The problems include the inconvenient and the dangerous.
And in the design of policy or any systems that facilitate group
interaction, developers can create systems that embed users in a The role of science in the modern world will become increasingly
system like cogs in a machine in situations where a more human- critical in the years ahead, as health care, energy, resources and the
centered approach that encouraged our humanity could also be global environment become ever more problematic. Science can
developed. John Dewey has written that "The very fact of exclusion appear to serve powerful institutions, such as stock markets and the
from participation is a subtle form of suppression." This can be avoided weapons industry, more that it serves the people most affected by
if the users of any designed system (software, information and these problems. Meanwhile, the resources of society's professional
communication systems, administrative services and processes, art, city scientists are overtaxed by the amount of data to be collected and the
plans, architecture, education, governance, and others) are brought into need to distribute expertise over a wide area. Science needs greater
its design process in an open, authentic, and uncoerced fashion.
participation from people at large, and people need a greater voice in
Participatory Design is the philosophical and practical approach to
science. We need to develop new approaches to collaboration
design in which people who will use the designed result and those who
between science and communities. Citizens, policymakers and
will be affected by it should be included in the process of creating it.
professional scientists all benefit by bringing both scientific knowledge
and local knowledge to bear on the problems that they experience.
Text: Douglas Schuler; Image: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishing, Inc.
Text & Image: Stewart Dutfield

26. World Citizen Parliament (40) Techno-Criticism (39)
The United Nations is an assembly for the governments of the world's
nations. Business, likewise, has an incredible assortment of institutions
such as the Chamber of Commerce and events such as the World Because technology and technological systems can play out in so many
Economics Forum that cultivate and propagate its prerogatives. Civil ways, the motivation and practice of Techno-Criticism can be complicated.
society is obligated to create institutions that are strong enough to An unquestioning reliance on technology can result in a technocratic
challenge other organizations — governments, businesses, criminal culture where people come to expect technological solutions. Technology
groups, extremists — and not strictly on their terms. Richard Falk and can put major decisions in the hands of the technologists, degrade public
Andrew Strauss proposed the possibility of a "Global Parliament" that discussion, and divert attention, discussion, and funds. Technology often
inspired this pattern. alters power relations between people, generally amplifying the power for
some and not for others. The development of new military technology
How do we about developing this assembly? Launch a non-centralized, through history dramatically illustrates this phenomenon. The distribution
heterogeneous, loosely-linked network of people, online and offline of computers in society is yet another example. Generally, rich people
resources, institutions, deliberative and other collaborative settings. have them and poor people don't. If computers enable people to be more
Develop articles, scholarly papers, opinion papers, manifestos, research productive (as computer related companies assert) then economic
findings, and anything else that is relevant to this effort. Develop concepts, benefits would obviously accrue to those that have them. People need to
design principles, and experiments that lay the groundwork. The new understand or at least anticipate to some degree not only the effects of
deliberative bodies that we develop over the next few years are likely to specific technological artifacts (RFID in running shoes, for example) but
be advisory at the onset but hopefully will lay the groundwork for more the broader socio-technological systems that they support or destabilize.
integrated and influential involvement as time goes on.
Text: Douglas Schuler; Image: Big Glass, Marcel Duchamp, Wikimedia Commons
Text: Douglas Schuler; Image: James Love

27. Open Action and Meaningful Maps (47)
Research Network (45)
As problems become more numerous and intractable, more and more
people and groups of diverse people are working together to address
them. While diversity is a necessity and can potentially be a source of
strength, it introduces vexing problems that are likely to grow worse over
time if we don't learn how to manage them effectively. Each person and
organization working on the problem has a unique orientation that is People are often unaware of the state of the world around them,
important to the overall effort but can conflict with others. These conflict especially when the relationships are "invisible", second-order, or
can take many forms including reward structures; goals, tactics, and abstract. Many of the important issues for the community, the
strategies; areas of interests; obligations and allegiances; values and environment and for humanity are difficult to see.
norms, status, legitimacy, and power. Potential conflicts also include
practical issues such as time-management and work habits, as well as
ultimately, the very language that the community uses to discuss the To improve the world, we must understand the current situation,
issues. We must acknowledge the importance of networks that highlight the important factors, and help others to understand the
incorporate both action and research and are open to the admission of issues. Meaningful Maps can provide a focus for relevant information
new members. At the same time we must work consciously to identify the and present it in a way that it easy to understand. Groups need to target
inherent dilemmas of the situation as well as the emerging wisdom that is
to be learned from the practice. We must then take note of the avenues their resources carefully to achieve the maximum impact. They also
that are likely to yield important and useful insights about working want to communicate their concerns and encourage others to support
together as we move forward. their work. To be effective the maps often need to reveal hidden
relationships.
Text: Douglas Schuler; Image: Simon Kneebone
Text: Andy Dearden & Scot Fletcher; Image: Green Maps, New York

28. Online Deliberation (52) Voices of the Unheard (83)
People working together to conduct business as a group are often
plagued by the clash of personalities and shifting rivalries within the Despite the significant effort and thought that goes into decision making
group. Also, without structure, a discussion can become random and and design, bad decisions and designs are frequently conceived and
rambling. And it can be dominated by powerful individuals. Other
factors, such as distance to the meeting, inconvenient scheduling, or implemented primarily because a critical and relevant perspective was
costs of getting to the meeting can obstruct effective and inclusive not brought to bear. This is especially true if the missing perspective
participation. To overcome the unpredictability of informal human represents that of someone who holds a stake in the outcome. As a
interaction, systematic rules have been created to facilitate variant of this, a prototype creativity tool has been created. The idea is
purposeful group meetings and encourage collective decisions. It's to have a "board of directors" consisting of famous people. When you
time to develop Online Deliberation applications that provide
organizations with the technology they need to conduct effective have a problem to solve, you are supposed to be reminded of, and think
deliberative meetings when members can't easily get together in- about, how various people would approach this problem. Ask yourself,
person. Ideally the tools would increase their effectiveness while "What would Einstein have said?" "How would Gandhi have
requiring less time and money to conduct the meetings. approached this problem?" Provide ways to remind people of
stakeholders who are not present. These methods could be procedural
(certain Native Americans always ask, "Who speaks for Wolf"), visual
(e.g., diagrams, lists) or auditory (e.g., songs).
Text: Matt Powell & Douglas Schuler; Image: Fiorella De Cindio
Text & Image: John Thomas

29. Future Design (88) Informal Learning Groups (98)
Overemphasis on formal education can overshadow alternative learning
methods that could be more appropriate. Particularly for adults looking to
By acting as though the future will never arrive and things never change, increase their understanding on relevant subjects, pursuing formal training
we are subconsciously creating the future with the seeds that we are is often not plausible due to the investment in time and money. As a result,
sowing today. Whether by actively embracing the conventional "wisdom" people find it difficult to acquire the skills necessary for them to address a
that has created these socially and environmentally precarious times or radically changing global economy. In spite of that, learning can and does
by succumbing to the dictates of habit, instinct or necessity, humankind take place in a multitude of settings. Informal learning groups can provide
seems to sleepwalking into the future. Indeed it is quite plausible that we an alternative avenue for supporting life-long learning spurring individual
are creating the ideal conditions today for unspeakable disasters curiosities, and acquiring new skills.
tomorrow. The purpose of this pattern is to get people actively engaged
envisioning better futures and making plans on how to get there. Community leaders, self-help groups, development agencies and local
Through "rehearsing for the future" we hope to create a wealth of employers can all help launch informal learning groups and encourage a
possible scenarios that could become the positive "self-fulfilling culture of participatory learning to meet community needs. This can be
prophecies" of tomorrow, rather than the self-defeating scenarios that done through community meetings, or interactions during tea/coffee
seem to rule today. breaks. These opportunities can be pursued and developed at the local
internet cafe or even during time that is set aside by employers who
realize the benefits of supporting a more educated and curious workforce.
Text: Douglas Schuler; Image: Steve Hartson
Text & Image: Justin Smith

30. Power of Story (114) Power Research (128)
The truth about stories is that!s all we are. — Thomas King
Powerful people and organizations tend to abuse their power. Without
Storytelling, an ancient art, needs to be rediscovered and updated. understanding who has power, how the power is wielded, and how that
Stories help humankind to understand, reinterpret, and reframe the power can be kept within legitimate boundaries, people with less power
meanings that undergird their existence. Can we use new can be ignored, swindled, lied to, led into war, or otherwise mistreated.
communications technologies to weave together words and images,
scientific information and poetic inspiration, and incorporate multiple Research power — what it is, how is it organized and applied, and who
voices (including the larger community of plants, animals, birds, and has it. Although it is important to make the findings freely available, it is at
elemental forces) to tell multi-faceted stories of our earth communities?
least as important to disseminate the ideas and techniques that help
Can stories help us to weave together the communications and global
people initiate their own power research projects. This pattern particularly
challenges that face us as we learn to live co-creatively with each other
and the natural world? applies to government and corporations but other people, institutions, and
groups (such as hate groups, militias or organized crime families) need to
be thoroughly investigated as well.
Text: Rebecca Chamberlain; Image: Public Domain
Text: Douglas Schuler; Image: ActionAid

31. Community Inquiry (122) Retreat and Reflection (136)
In "developed" countries the non-stop barrage of mass media promoting a
corporately-branded "message" is never far away. How can people even
"hear themselves think" under such conditions? How will smaller groups
develop deep research or action plans and how will society practice the
Communities face a wide variety of challenges in areas of health, "due deliberation" that is necessary for democratic work and progress?
education, economic development, sustainable environments, and Without relief from the insidious assault, how will people learn to
social order. But regardless of the difficulty of these challenges, a appreciate what has value in life? How can they develop a self-identify
necessary condition for addressing them is for communities to find that is truly theirs? The function of these patterns is to acknowledge and
ways for members to work together. Too often, community celebrate seeds of life that can be used to generate more life in the face of
members work at cross purposes and fail to develop what Jane violence and corruption. Remaining pure or removed, aloof from the
Addams called “the capacity for affectionate interpretation." sordidness of the world that has developed over the centuries, is not an
Community Inquiry is what Addams and Dewey called their theory option. Nor is it necessarily more admirable than retreating into the vast
and practice for reshaping communities and, thus, society at large. media wastelands, work, mysticism, sports, or drugs. Engagement and
Community Inquiry provides a theoretical and action framework for retreat together form an eternal cycle that we ignore at our own peril.
people to come together to develop shared capacity and work on People need to set up times to think, to step back and to recharge their
common problems in an experimental and critical manner. batteries. After this respite, one is more likely to be happy, committed, and
ready to re-engage once again. Retreat and reflection are necessary
counterparts to engagement and both are necessary in the "fierce struggle
to create a better world.
Text: Douglas Schuler; Image: Cloud Gate, Anish Kapoor Wikimedia Commons
Text: Ann Bishop & Chip Bruce; Image: Emily Barney

32. Reiteration...
• Civic intelligence helps describe what we do
• Two exhortations: (1) get / stay involved with
technology design and implementation —
even if it’s not your style; (2) pump up the
volume.
• Our Liberating Voices project could be useful
Do what you’re already doing —
Just more!