Structured Democratic Dialogue Video-Based Learning Pathways
Around 50 concise and focused videos have been curated to advance the learning of novice and seasoned practitioners of Structured Democratic Dialogue.

The Logosofia software was utilized to categorize the videos based on significant similarity. Each identified category was then mapped to unveil the most impactful learning pathway. Finally, the categories were mapped to determine the most impactful sequence overall.

Click on the document above to view/download the full PDF of reflections of the video series by Alexander Christakis & Jeff Diedrich

Series Navigation

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  1. Structured Democratic Dialogue Video Reflections
    1. Introduction
  3. Series 1: Situational Complexity
    1. Three Types of Complexity
    2. Intersubjective Complexity
    3. Scientific Foundation of SDD
    4. Situational Complexity, Pt. 1
    5. Situational Complexity, Pt. 2
    6. Domain of Science Model
    7. Practitioner Contribution
  5. Series 2: Tree of Meaning
    1. Trade-Off Analysis
    2. DELPHI Methodology
    3. Tree of Meaning
    4. Dialogue Facilitation
    5. Balancing Cognition w/Emotion
    6. Interpretive Structural Modeling
    7. Diversity of Perspectives
    8. Autonomy & Authenticity
    9. The Dance of SDD
    10. Mistakes in the Design Process
    11. Clarification of Meaning
    12. Change through Linguistics
    13. Evolution Learning & Time Mgt.
  7. Series 3: Defactualization
    1. Defactualization (R. Ackoff)
    2. H. Özbekhan's Mentorship
    3. Defactualization & SDD
    4. SDD as a Movement
    5. Systems Thinking
    6. Resolving a Global Issue
    7. Balancing Deliberative Democracy with Technocracy
    8. True about SDD but Cannot Prove
    9. Plausibility of a Global Constructivist Paradigm
    10. Futures Creative Archetype
    11. Changing the World with SDD
  9. Series 4: Core Planning Team
    1. Framing Generic Questions
    2. Discovery Phase
    3. Framing Triggering Questions
    4. Facility Requirements for SDD
    5. Strategic Management Team
  11. Series 5: Technology Assessment
    1. Tech. & Meaningful Dialogue
    2. Practitioner Considerations
  13. Series 6: Facilitator Role
    1. Why the Sponsor Introduces the Triggering Question
    2. Facilitator & Triggering Questions
  15. Series 7: Literation
    1. Ephemerality & Situational Complexity
    2. Successive Approximations & SDD
    3. Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM)
    4. Reduction in Situational Complexity
  17. Series 8: Action Plans
    1. Alternative Action Scenarios
    2. Action Options
  19. Series 9: Projects
    1. NW Energy Alliance
    2. Cyprus Wine Villages
    3. High Risk Applications
    4. Benefits & Risks of Tech
    5. SDD as an Endeavor
  21. Conclusion

Structured Democratic Dialogue Video Reflections

By Alexander Christakis (Demosensus Lab) & Jeff Diedrich (7 Letters)

Introduction

Between 2018 and 2023, Jeff Diedrich conducted approximately fifty interviews with Alexander Christakis on Structured Democratic Dialogue (SDD) development and application. These conversations, filmed across winter 2018, spring 2022, and spring/fall 2023, were posted as YouTube videos for practitioners. The videos were subsequently organized using the Logosofia Platform into nine thematic clusters with designated learning pathways. These pathways use "enhancement of understanding" relationships to guide optimal viewing sequences for maximum learning impact.

Key Video: Video 20: Reduction in Situational Complexity captures SDD's core approach to managing complexity when stakeholder groups tackle wicked problems. This video serves as an effective elevator pitch for potential sponsors or clients.

The following sections provide reflections on each cluster.

Series 1: Situational Complexity

Situational Complexity Learning Path

Understanding situational complexity helps you make better decisions, solve problems effectively, and develop stronger strategies.

Recommended Viewing Order
Watch these videos in the sequence below for optimal learning. This order was determined using Logosofia software to maximize understanding.

Why Start Here?
 Among all nine video clusters, Situational Complexity emerged as the foundational concept that enhances understanding of everything else in SDD.

Video Series (7 videos)
Start: Video 9 - "Three Types of Complexity"
End: Video 26 - "Practitioner Contribution"

Watch all seven videos in this series sequentially from Video 9 through Video 26.

Learning pathway influence map shown below:

From the influence map, we notice that the deep driver in this cluster is Video 9: Three Types of Complexity. It is therefore recommended that students of SDD should watch this video first to enhance the understanding of the other videos in this cluster.

It is interesting to notice when one watches this video that it includes a graphic showing the emergence of the phenomenon of Situational Complexity as the superposition of the three types of observational complexities, i.e., objective, subjective, and intersubjective, converging in a Situation Room. These three types are discussed in video 9. and elaborated in Video 7: Intersubjective Complexity and SDD, which is positioned at Level 2 of the influence map.

At Level 2, both videos 7 and 13 are positioned in a cycle of mutual enhancement, which means that they should be watched concurrently because of their complementarity. These are:

Video 7: Intersubjective Complexity & SDD

Video 13: Scientific Foundation of SDD

Video 13 holds significant importance as it establishes the scientific foundation of SDD. It's not just another video in the series, but a key resource that distinguishes SDD as a Third-Phase science of design from First-Phase sciences like physics and chemistry.

The four remaining videos of this series are positioned at Level 1, two of which are in a cycle of mutual enhancement, and they should be watched concurrently.

Three Types of Complexity

1st. video of the series

Intersubjective Complexity

2nd video of the series

Scientific Foundation of SDD

3rd. video of the series

Situational Complexity, Pt. 1

4th video of the series

Situational Complexity, Pt. 2

5th video of the series

Domain of Science Model

6th video of the series

Practitioner Contribution

7th video of the series

Series 2: Tree of Meaning

"Tree of Meaning" Learning Path
This cluster contains 13 videos focused on the Science of Dialogic Design laws and Consensus methods.

Flexible Learning Order
No set sequence required. All videos mutually enhance each other, so you can watch them in any order that interests you.

Key Video Recommendation Video 8 - "Tree of Meaning" for its significance and comprehensive overview.
This concept was discovered empirically through SDD applications with mental health service consumers and young Native Americans approximately 20 years ago.

The mutual enhancement influence map shown below:

Trade-Off Analysis

DELPHI Methodology

Tree of Meaning

Dialogue Facilitation

Balancing Cognition w/Emotion

Interpretive Structural Modeling

Diversity of Perspectives

Autonomy & Authenticity

The Dance of SDD

Mistakes in the Design Process

Clarification of Meaning

Change through Linguistics

Evolution Learning & Time Mgt.

Series 3: Defactualization

Defactualization means stepping away from current reality to imagine a much better future. Without this vision, nothing changes.

This series has 11 videos about defactualization - the human ability to distance ourselves from current situations and imagine new possibilities.

Key Videos:

  • Video 49 (the foundation) - Interview with Russell Ackoff, one of the 20th century's greatest systems thinkers, demonstrating defactualization with a real example
  • Video 37 - "Futures-creative Archetype"
  • Video 41 - "Changing the world with SDD"

    Learning Path: The videos follow a linear progression across six levels. Videos 37 and 41 work together at the top level, showing that creating an ideal future and changing the world both require collective defactualization.

    Why This Matters: Watch all videos in this series. During SDD design phases, facilitators must inspire participants to defactualize - this skill is critical for success.

    The complete learning pathway and influence map are shown below.

    • Defactualization (R. Ackoff)

    1st video of the series

    H. Özbekhan's Mentorship

    2nd video of the series

    Defactualization & SDD

    3rd video of the series

    SDD as a Movement

    4th video of the series

    Systems Thinking

    5th video of the series

    Resolving a Global Issue

    6th video of the series

    Balancing Deliberative Democracy with Technocracy

    7th video of the series

    True about SDD but Cannot Prove

    8th video of the series

    Plausibility of a Global Constructivist Paradigm

    9th video of the series

    Futures Creative Archetype

    10th video of the series
    Crafting a novel future with stakeholders detached from the present, envisioning unprecedented possibilities.

    Changing the World with SDD

    11th video of the series
    Christakis discusses his hope and skepticism about the process of SDD changing the world.

    Series 4: Core Planning Team

    This series contains five videos. In the structure displaying the enhancement among the nine clusters, it is positioned at Level 3, which implies that the SDD student will understand the meaning of these five videos after having spent some time understanding the videos in the three clusters that are positioned at Levels 1 (Situational Complexity), and 2 (Tree of Meaning and Defactualization). The role of the Core Planning Team is extremely critical in the successful application of SDD, so understanding the meaning and intent of the videos of this series is very important.

    As shown in the influence map below, all five videos are positioned at Level 1, with video 10 being in a cycle of mutual enhancement with videos 43 and 46. In watching the videos of this series, the SDD student should appreciate the enhancement of meaning among the three videos in the cycle, and watch the other two independently of any enhancement relationship with the other videos in this series.

    Framing Generic Questions

    Discovery Phase

    Framing Triggering Questions

    Facility Requirements for SDD

    Strategic Management Team

    Series 5: Technology Assessment

    This series addresses the benefits, risks, and impacts of technological advances on human behavior and interactions. There was a “Technology Assessment” movement back in the 1970s, the purpose of which was attempting to anticipate the long-term consequences of any technology before its adoption. In the context of SDD, it has implications in terms of the virtual application of the methodology as compared to fact-to-face, The cybernetic embedding effect that is accomplished in a face-to-face application in a Situation Room cannot be replicated in the virtual mode. The second video of this series reminds the practitioners of their responsibility to those visionaries who constructed the science of dialogic design as a people science that is uniquely capable of helping people help themselves.

    Because there are only two videos in this series, no mapping was performed.

    Tech. & Meaningful Dialogue

    Practitioner Considerations

    .

    Series 6: Facilitator Role

    This series deals with the critical role of the Facilitator as being responsible for managing the process of the dialogue and not get involved with the content generated in response to a Triggering Question during the conduct of a colab. The explanation and elaboration of the Triggering Question. If the responsibility of the sponsor and not of the Facilitator. If Facilitators get involved with the content, their neutrality is compromised, and the process is not applied in accordance with the laws of the science.

    Because there are only two videos in this series, no mapping was performed.

    Why the Sponsor Introduces the Triggering Question

    Facilitator & Triggering Questions

    Series 7: Literation

    The word “Literation” means learning through iteration. The term was coined by John Warfield in the 1980s. This series contains four videos that are extremely important for the practice of SDD. For example, Video 20, “Reduction in Situational Complexity,” explains how the SDD process reduces the initial Situational Complexity by more than ninety-five percent through successive approximations by engaging a group in a colab. It is the video that is highly recommended for communicating the unique benefits of applying SDD to potential clients and/or sponsors.

    From the influence map below, we see that the enhancement pattern for this series has three levels, with videos 6 and 15 in a cycle of mutual enhancement at Level 3 but not influencing the learning pathway. We find video 12 at Level 2 influencing video 20: Reduction in Situational Complexity, positioned at Level 1. As we mentioned previously, video 20 is extremely important for the practice of SDD and should be carefully studied by learners of SDD.

    Ephemerality & Situational Complexity

    1st video of the series

    Successive Approximations & SDD

    2nd video of the series

    Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM)

    3rd video of the series

    Reduction in Situational Complexity

    4th video of the series
    .
    .

    Series 8: Action Plans

    This series deals with the construction of Options Fields and Option Profiles during the conduct of the colab by a group of participants. The standard process is to break a team of participants into four or five small groups that construct action scenarios that they present during a whole group plenary session. The Facilitator enables the whole group by means of successive approximations and iteration to converge to a consensus action scenario.

    Because there are only two videos in this series no mapping was performed.

    Alternative Action Scenarios

    Action Options

    Series 9: Projects

    This is the last series for which we constructed enhancement trees and it is positioned at Level 1 of the six-level map representing the enhancement pattern among the nine clusters of videos. As shown below, it contains five videos, focusing primarily on the arena of applications.

    As shown in the influence map below, the enhancement pattern consists of three levels, with video 21 and 22 positioned at Level 3, being the drivers, and video 30 positioned at Level 1.

    NW Energy Alliance

    1st video of the series

    Cyprus Wine Villages

    2nd video of the series

    High Risk Applications

    3rd video of the series

    Benefits & Risks of Tech

    4th video of the series

    SDD as an Endeavor

    5th video of the series
    .

    Conclusion

    In an effort to facilitate the learning of the SDD methodology and the Logosofia platform that supports its application, Jeff Diedrich produced about fifty short videos of interesting questions that were responded to by Christakis primarily based on his experience with the theory and practice of the methodology. The videos were posted on YouTube for easy access by interested parties.

    It was subsequently decided to organize the videos into an expert system by constructing affinity clusters and learning pathways by utilizing the Logosofia software platform. The development of the expert system is in accordance with the principle of systems that states that the whole is more than the sum of its parts, as has been articulated by Professor Russel Ackoff in video 50, “Systems.” We think that the video-based expert system creates new meaning and understanding of the power, the benefits, and the risk arising from the application of SDD by future practitioners. We hope this document and video series will contribute to the deeper appreciation of the SDD for the definition and resolution of wicked problems by engaging groups of stakeholders from all walks of life.

    As mentioned previously, the single video that captures in a concise and coherent manner the essence and the power of SDD, to be used for marketing presentations of the methodology is Video 20: Reduction in Situational Complexity.