Group Format Change

[Ted]

Discussion about proposed change of how the group works.

[Ted]

We’ve had two group reads, which have not been particularly successful. A very small number of members started the books, and not all of them finished.

Given this experience, I have considered doing something that is being done in another group I’m in, https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/..., conceived and moderated by Aubrey.

There are no group reads as such in this group. Rather, what Aubrey has done is to institute a very large number of discussions, where each discussion (I think) is confined to a single book, and to members’ reviews of that book.

This is what I’m proposing for the Transition Group. Since only a few members have read either of our group reads, expand the number of books discussed, accept the fact that only members who are interested in the book will participate, and allow everyone to participate at their own time and pace. Thus several books could be being discussed simultaneously.

If you like this idea, take a look at the Group above, see how discussions have been organized into different categories, and if you see anything that particularly appeals to you (or you don’t like), leave your views below.

[Ted]

The books that threads (topics) would be started for could be contributed by group members, as well as by the moderators. Aubrey has done a great job of soliciting ideas for books, and I would like to see a similar thing set up here. In general, I would like to include books that are about any of the problems that the Transition Movement is concerned with:
Global warming
Resource depletion
Social issues (like the international money system, failed states, etc)

as well as books more directly about the Transition Movement and its approach to the problems above:

Transition Towns
Local action/local autonomy
Sustainability

I’m sure more could be added in both these categories.

[Ted]

And speaking of books, there are works of fiction that deal with the above topics. I see no reason to exclude such books from discussion. What do others think?
 

[Traveller]

Ted, yes, I wonder if the problem in this group might not be that members simply don't have the time to fit in the books under discussion - I suppose it has been a reason for my own inactivity here.
In light of this, I agree with you that a format such as that in Aubrey's group, where the focus is on topics rather than specific books, might be the solution to the problem.

So, how about we start a section where members can start threads around topics that concern them?

[Ted]

Traveller wrote: "Ted, yes, I wonder if the problem in this group might not be that members simply don't have the time to fit in the books under discussion - I suppose it has been a reason for my own inactivity here..."

Traveller, I'm sure you're right about time. (That is, it's not a high priority, thus gets crowded out.) That doesn't bother me, it is what it is. Thanks for the comment in support! 8)

[Lisa]

Seems like a great plan. I'm not very good at group reads. Topics with books attached would be easier to jump in and out as time permits.

[Rob]

First off I would like to thank you Ted for putting in so much effort into the group.
As one member said people contribute to the discussion or indeed read the book only if their interest is aroused enough. Not everyone is turned on by the same thing.
I can only talk for myself but what interests me in a group like thus is the discussion, new ideas and further information in roughly that order.
Going into a tunnel post more later.

[Khalil]

Hi Ted, I would like to thank you for the noble time and effort you spend here doing the group issues. I want to speak for myself --not proud-- as a member of both groups (people who do not discuss, and people who did't finish the last book) I think the problem is due to the nature of books, most of the book we read here are informative and one do not always have much to say.

[Ted]

Khalil wrote: "Hi Ted, I would like to thank you for the noble time and effort you spend here doing the group issues. I want to speak for myself --not proud-- as a member of both groups (people who do not discuss..."

That's indeed a good point Khalil. Well, we'll see how this plays out and go from there. I'm really not sure yet how much work would be involved in changing things, it may be enough to have to put off the main events until after the holidays. 8)

Thanks much for your comment!

[Caroline]

Hi Ted,

I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed the last group read, and although participation may have been small, I felt that there was a conversation resulting from the read.

I am happy with a change of format though, and to see if that would encourage more people to get involved. I think I would always take part myself on the basis of reading a suggested book (I don't know enough of these issues to speak off the top of my head), but hopefully I will get inspired to read books via the topics/books that crop up.

[Ted]

Caroline wrote: "Hi Ted,

I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed the last group read, and although participation may have been small, I felt that there was a conversation resulting from the read.

I am happy with a chan..."

Thanks for your comment, Caroline. The way I would envision this working is that when someone wanted to read and discuss a book that had a conversation thread, the whole group could be notified of that and then anyone who was interested in reading along could join in on that thread.

(I may need some help to figure out implementation details.)

[Caroline]

That sounds good!

[Traveller]

I must really put a post-it on my PC to remember to contribute more here. :(

[Ted]

Traveller wrote: "I must really put a post-it on my PC to remember to contribute more here. :("

I need to figure out a plan for making the "transition" mentioned above (heh-heh). I may ask for volunteers to help at some point.

[Grant]

Sounds good to me. I have never been one to enjoy a book when someone said I was supposed to read it by some deadline.

[Ted]

Sounds like a school assignment doesn't it?

[Traveller]

Ted wrote: "Traveller wrote: "I need to figure out a plan for making the "transition" mentioned above (heh-heh). I may ask for volunteers to help at some point.
.."

Sure. I don't mind helping at all, but I do need prodding...

[Ted]

Traveller wrote: "Ted wrote: "Traveller wrote: "I need to figure out a plan for making the "transition" mentioned above (heh-heh). I may ask for volunteers to help at some point.
.."

Sure. I don't mind helping at a..."

Thanks Trav. I must get at this soon then.