The short answer is: I have no idea I haven’t heard the term “emergence” used in that context before. I just did a quick search for emergence theory and see that Stephen Downes and Tony Bates have been discussing this recently in an ongoing series of blog posts (1, 2, 3, and 4), but I need to read up on it first before I answer.

I’ll get back to you on that

I know what you mean about not wanting to offend people. That’s a concern of mine as well. In that sense I think writing objectively is really important – not to mention writing consciously and thoughtfully. Discussion can be a really healthy thing when people consider the feelings of others.

I’ve had some great conversations with people about topics that we fundamentally disagreed agreed about, and yet were really interesting and enjoyable because it was driven by mutual respect and consideration of each others opinions.

Given critical thinking skills are one of the core elements of education I think that people should expect that their views will be challenged sometimes – in some regards that’s how we grow and learn. The important thing is how the conversation happens.

I think that what is written can be the truth whilst at the same time as acknowledging that the omissions may be the truth/s that cannot be exposed. So what is written may not be the full truth.

In my case I would often like to write ‘the full truth’, but usually don’t for fear of getting it wrong and offending someone. Also often ‘the full truth’ is just as offensive or hurtful to the person doing the writing as it would be to the reader. Too disturbing for comfort!

I’m rambling now, so I’ll stop. I enjoy reading your blog, because you always seem to manage to ‘say it as it is’ and don’t ‘spin yarns’ for the sake of the audience.

Jenny

Plus strangely enough I think I’d still be concerned about what people think even though they wouldn’t see my real name – it’s the feeling of vulnerability and exposure in the sharing of personal thoughts that seems to be the sticking point, not using my true identity.

This train of thought has made me view private discussion groups and private networking sites in a new light. Historically I haven’t really seen the point of restricting access behind a login, but then I realised that I’m doing much the same thing by not discussing certain topics at all and hiding behind abstract theory instead of real world experiences.

With a password-protected site you maintain the ability to discuss things with people you trust. Locking it up in your brain doesn’t afford the same opportunities.