From: Chris Bongart <[c--ng--t] at [delphi.com]> Newsgroups: talk.politics.drugs Subject: Proposal- Collaboration, Discovery, and Change Date: Tue, 14 Jun 94 23:07:17 -0500 the Leonardo Project- Collaboration, Discovery, and Change Chris Bongart [c--ng--t] at [delphi.com] The Leonardo Project- Collaboration, Discovery, and Change Preface- Please note: The project described in the following document is an independent, non-profit, public service entity. The text below is meant to serve firstly as a proposal for the establishment of a set of new Usenet newsgroups, and secondly as a prime for thought. Please keep in mind the many, varied possibilities for application. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead, American Anthropologist Introduction- Throughout the past few decades, the world has seen a startling number of changes, advances, and innovations. We have developed new technologies, new resources, new tools, and as a result, a new way of thinking. We realize, that with the power we now possess, we now have the power to change our world. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that a new form of change is in order. We need to pull ourselves from the restrictive, beauracratic workplace of today, and enter the bold, new next generation of the Leonardo Project. We need to bring together the people of the world, their cultural backgrounds, their professional aptitudes, their creative intuition. Bringing these people together in one place, every day, allowing them to freely exchange their ideas and thoughts, will lead us to the solution to most any problem. Taking full advantage of the vast connectivity and communication possibilities of the networks Internet, the Leonardo Project will be a global, on-going collaboration of people and thoughts, technologies and tools. A means of soliciting and entertaining new ideas, approaches, and concepts. A way of working where the creative individual can join with a dynamic, fused, community of committed visionaries. These people, drawn together by a common need for change and a love for discovery, will work together within the confines of this proposed Leonardo Project, (as well as draw on a multitude of varied, specialized resources and faculties). Exploring new development possibilities in all disciplines, not just computer-related topics. Committed to challenging outdated ideas and primitive ways of thinking, the Leonardo Project's various teams will solve the problems no traditional organization even approaches. Leonardo Project Basics The Purpose of the Leonardo Project- 1- Firstly, the purpose of the Leonardo Project is to establish a new kind of working community. Before any problems can be solved, before any new technologies can be developed, we need to establish a founded, yet dynamic community of thinkers, doers, visionaries, and supporting specialists. No endeavor such as this can stand without the foundation of a strong, supporting community. Taking its cue from earlier generations in the United States and other cultures, the Leonardo Project will first establish a close, joined community of people. Though they may have diverse views and differing cultural backgrounds, these people will have come together for a common purpose- to solve problems, create new things, and challenge the way the world currently approaches and addresses problems. This common purpose will be the bond which fuses and holds the newly-formed community together. The Leonardo community of people, all willing to help one another, listen to one another's ideas, and all committed to the values of the Leonardo Project could prove to be a model for future workgroups, and even future communities in general. 2- To make the most of the vast resources now made available to us. We have been given the connectivity to share ideas and come together on any given task. We have also been given an equally, if not greater, gift- the new, unrestricted environment of what we have come to call cyberspace. Nowhere else in the world can so many people come together, share so many ideas, say whatever they want, and not be called on it. This freedom to communicate any thought or idea is one of the greatest reasons why the Leonardo Project needs to be developed and then fully implemented. In short, the freedom and capability to express and exchange ideas, views, and abstract thoughts is the greatest asset we will have as we enter into this, very possibly, historic experiment. 3- To collaborate on various ideas, problems, and needs for creation. We need to pool our talents, ambitions, and abilities. We need to exchange and develop the ideas that will make a difference in the years to come. We need to entertain the most abstract, most unformed ideas harbored in the human mind and give them a life and a future through collaboration and creative development. The Leonardo Project will be the first of its type to bring together the diverse peoples of the world on any given problem or need for change. As a result, the Leonardo Project could quite possibly be the first to create significant change in the world we now know, and the future we will come to be a part of. 4- To solve the problems that need to be solved. From the homeless crisis and inefficient mass transit, to language barriers and environmental devastation, the Leonardo Project will initiate and implement bold, new forms of change. Creating new ideas, designing possible solutions, engineering a finished answer, and making arrangements to produce the finished product, the Leonardo Project will cover all aspects of the development process. 5- To prove that the outdated methods of group problem-solving are not helping us in reaching our goals; not helping us to evolve to something more advanced, more efficient, more functional. To prove that the beauracratic system of hierarchial management, restricted avenues for personal involvement, and limited resources cannot compete with a dedicated group of individuals striving for change. Not only a massive blow to the world's corporate and organizational work ideals, but also a refreshing, needed return to a more productive, more open time and means of accomplishment. A time when working together was the norm; when sharing and collaboration was the foundation for innovation, excellence, and meaningful change. the Leonardo Project Vehicle- The basis of the Leonardo Project, the vehicle if you will, is the Usenet discussion group hierarchy. To be more specific, the Alternative discussion groups. I feel the alt hierarchy will be the best home for the first phase of the Leonardo Project for three main reasons- 1) The alt hierarchy is the most unconventional of all the established hierarchies. 2) The alt groups demonstrate a certain, almost willful disregard for the established norms. 3) The alt hierarchy will allow the Leonardo Project to become organized outside of the mainstream hierarchy and its more prevalent, more enforced controls. the Leonardo Project Layout and Design- As stated above, the Leonardo Project will occupy a certain place in the alt hierarchy. Listed below are the proposed groups to be included under the Leonardo Project heading. Along with each group specification is a description of that group's primary functions. alt.leonardo.news-info.....current news, general info, faqs alt.leonardo.admin.....administrative issues and project direction alt.leonardo.supply-closet.....applications, utils, other binaries alt.leonardo.cafe.....general discussion- any topic alt.leonardo.proposals.....proposal forum and discussion alt.leonardo.team-a.mission.....team mission statement and direction alt.leonardo.team-a.concept.....concept team workspace alt.leonardo.team-a.design.....design team workspace alt.leonardo.team-a.engineering.....engineering team workspace alt.leonardo.team-a.production.....production team workspace alt.leonardo.team-a.common.....full-team collaboration workspace alt.leonardo.team-a.done.....completed products As you have undoubtedly noticed, the Leonardo Project creates several new alt groups, contrary to the usual creation of only one, specific group. This is a necessity imposed by the nature of, and theory behind, the Leonardo Project. You see, the Leonardo Project is comprised of several distinct workgroups, each of which must have its own workspace. The need for several distinct groups should be apparent- 1) To alleviate confusion within and between Leonardo Project groups. 2) To further define the varying, specialized roles of each workgroup and support team. 3) To distribute the expected user traffic over several groups. In addition, the Leonardo Project needs a certain level of guidance and necessary Project administrators. Small, moderated and unmoderated groups have been proposed to handle these tasks and their subsequent communication. Closing- Thanks for your time and hopefully your participation. I realize I have not covered all topics. For instance, I have not delved into the inevitable questions of the Leonardo Project's operating procedure. I feel it is best to allow each group to devise its own methods, exchange formats, etc. I am open to comments, questions, and suggestions. If you like, please post a message in alt.config or email [c--ng--t] at [delphi.com.] Thanks again for your time. Chris Bongart [c--ng--t] at [delphi.com]