Introduction
Prisma is a distributed1 action-learning2 incubator, who’s work is to apply systems-change practice3 on-the-ground in spaces of experimentation in order to unlock whole-system transition pathways.
Concretely, this paper introduces an open protocol for organising and publishing transformation-oriented events, as a means for creating and evaluating experimentations in regionally-grounded action. We frame this event-protocol as a decentralised accounting system designed to create value liquidity across a hub-network, enabling funders to participate in action-backed value in the form of surplus-sharing dividends.
Evolutionary Transition: Higher-Order Value Creation
This paper opens up the next evolution in Prisma’s role as a project: from being a distributed action-learning incubator, to operating a protocol used by distributed incubators to publish their activities. The purpose of our events, therefore, evolve from incubating teams and publishing case-studies alone, to include onboarding partner hub-networks into protocol compatibility. The protocol presented is a consequence of the learnings generated from past work to date. With this protocol, Prisma shifts from manually organising events, to enabling a network of community hubs to self-organise events, whilst still maintaining integrity and alignment as one whole.
Reading Guidance
We first set the context in which this work takes place, in which prisma sees itself as a part of, and within which it must find the necessary alignments in order to balance mission with viability. It is in the Context section that we name the most relevant systemic challenges prisma directly addresses, as a way to create a frame of reference for what follows.
The event-organising methodology is then summarised. Methodology is centred early to highlight how the protocol derives from real-world actions, not the other way around, as has been the case with many protocols that unintentionally coerce group behaviour with predefined misconceptions.
Distinct from methodology, the core concepts of the protocol are then introduced, before moving immediately to lower-level currency mechanics as the foundation for enabling action-backed value liquidity. Case-studies are provided to give context-rich examples of how protocol looks in reality, before closing with Business Modelling, Governance, Roadmap and a humbling account of present unknowns.
How AI was used… We’re being transparent about this for the reader to be able to enjoy the reading experience, without having to worry if they are misplacing their trust.
- Languaging concepts:
- Comparing and choosing terms from specialised fields, such as the relatively accessible “surplus-sharing dividends” vs. the more financially-focussed “xyz.”
- Validating novelty and key differentiators, such as the accounting of deltas.
- Guidance on how to structure the narrative flow and balance between distinct sections, such as the three phases of the Context section.
- Regulating grammar and tone, especially when writing in a second language.
- Sourcing literature
Due to past experience, few attempts were made to use AI in developing systemic coherence, with little-to-no success.
Parts of this paper have been written slowly. In the Context especially, wording is intentionally subtle to allow space for intuition. As such, it may be helpful to expect to need to slow down to sit with the points being made, in order for clarity emerge.
Footnotes
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Distributed information systems are defined in an engineering sense as a system which generates, processes and stores data across a network of nodes, as opposed to a monolithic or centralised architecture. ↩
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Action-learning, building on the work of Reg Revans, is used in this context to refer to the quality of inquiry of generating learnings by reflecting on the performance of real-world actions. Within the context of our work, action can be interpreted as applying practice in place, and learning can be interpreted as understanding the place living as an example within the lineage of the practice. ↩
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Practice is defined as conscious participation and integration, as an ongoing process toward increasing capability of a given activity. (Fritjof Capra, 2023, referencing MacIntyre, 1985, p.186) ↩