Changing the Conversation
Posted by Jeff Wiedner on Tuesday, October 27, 2009
I read an interesting article recently that talked about how problem solving doesn’t solve problems. The article mentioned that what we call problem solving is really just focusing on the symptoms. Since we’re only working on the symptoms, we never really fix the bigger problem.
One quote that stood out for me was:
By definition, problem-solving is reactive. As we move forward in those reactive plans, new circumstances arise for which we did not plan. We then react to those circumstances, often entirely scrapping the old plans to fit this new information.
This reactive approach creates a snowball effect. We’re so busy working on a series of symptoms that we can’t move beyond it. It’s hard to move away from this approach because we see smaller successes. But in the end, we can hope for using this approach is to reach an “almost there” fix.
As advocates, we talk about the problem of hunger a lot. We have great stats that we share and in general, people “get” the idea that hunger is wrong. When we move this conversation online, we tend to talk to each other. As each group sees incremental success, we’re tempted to believe that we’ve found the solution. Eventually, we start to hear similar ideas to the point where it’s difficult to tell groups apart. We build up inertia and it’s difficult to move from this approach. It’s a crowded field with a lot of good being done, but we’re only creeping towards the goal line.
Having the same conversations with the same statistics and messaging will only get us so far. We need to be willing to take on new ideas and have bolder conversations.
So how do we move this conversation beyond the ordinary? How do we move beyond talking about the problem of hunger and getting to really building together a vision of where we could be? How do we find new ideas that will make dramatic, positive change and move beyond fixing problems to a world without hunger?
I don’t think any one group has the answers. These are questions that I hope we can figure out together.
What do you think?
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October 27, 2009 | 2 comment(s) | Tags: change, problem-solving, social media
Comments
2 reader comments so far.
Great question, Jeff. In looking at what's being said online about hunger, I'm not certain we have a vibrant conversation. A lot of people are saying things--some of it very compelling--but I don't see a healthy level of online discourse, at least at this point. I'm hopeful that as online channels of communication mature, we'll find places and ways to have more provocative discussons that do focus on solutions. I also firmly believe that we're impeded by organizational and ideological barriers and differences. You may discount my involvement because I work for a company that kills animals. I may discount yours because you're a vegan. One group focuses on emergency feeding, while another addresses long-term soloutions. Local/organic vs. mass-produced food. We need to get beyond these and find common ground, respecting that differences will exist, but that we all agree no kid should go to bed hungry. I believe you're absolutely correct in saying no "one group has the answers." We need to find the sweet spot wherein the passionate and committed in all groups can work respectfully together.
Posted by Ed Nicholson on October 27, 2009
Ah!!! at last I found what I was looking for. Sometimes it takes so much effort to find even tiny useful piece of information. Nice post. Thanks
Posted by Car Insurance Guy on November 11, 2009
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