New Agora Overview

In the “New Agora: New Geometry of Languaging”, Schreibman and Christakis describe a dialogue facilitation methodology based on the Structured Design Dialogue Process (SDDP), which may overcome obstacles to group concensus building inherent in human cognition. To support their claims, the authors site real-world examples where a systems approach to managing group dynamics has yielded successful results. Their approach consists of a two-phase methodology they call WebScope. Phase 1 – Generative Dialogue facilitates formulation of ideas for discussion and consensus building. Phase 2 – Strategic Dialogue facilitates influence ranking of ideas produced in Phase 1 and is assisted by an inferential engine software available from George Mason University and Leading Design International.