The Brass Ring

We are discussing the role of power in networks. This is, for me, most challenging. By instinct, I tend to see power as negative – restrictive, controlling and diminishing. Yet at the same time power defines “the real world”. Whether in government, business or education, whoever has the power sets the agenda and by framing the question goes a long way towards controlling the conversation (Schiller). In the ideal world of a course on Connectivism you would like power to be minimal and if possible disappear.

However, two authors challenge this perspective. Paul Tillich, the Christian Theologian wrote the small but dense book, “Love, Power and Justice”. These three concepts are related (correlative). Power seen as the embodiment of love and justice. In our conversation we could say positive power is the actualization of ethics. Another author is the Bhuddist monk Thich Nhat Hanh in his book, The Art of Power, where he extolls the power of mindfulness and compassion.

I’ve noticed a ton of positive power in the Connectivism course as we develop networks through blogs, forums and on-line real time discussions. In the midst of all these people who spend their professional life developing ideas and opinions, I’ve been amazed at the amount of careful listening going on. Questions and responses are reflected upon and answered with carefilled sensitivity, trying to grasp the context of the question. Blogs are helpful to me because they give very rich insights into the person writing. Of course, the magic doesn’t always work but enough times it does and brings you back.

I suspect that in the networked world, the negative use of power will simply be ignored and dis-connected. Social capital to too important to waste time squandering on negative energy. Perhaps, just perhaps, the networked world through its autonomy, diversity, etc. might teach other social forms how to move forward.