Post by Oliveman on Nov 26, 2007 15:52:46 GMT -5
Profiles of Authoring Ideas Members
Note: the following profiles are massive generalizations, and in many cases clichés. This is to reflect a sense of the general kinds of “groups” that would be associated with the member body. The members, on the other hand, are real, unique people who have many interests and beliefs.
The intention of this document is to give a sense to the members of what the possibilities, not the limitations, are regarding would be able to gain benefit from being part of the group. This is to be used as a tool for expansion, reevaluation, and recruitment.
Warning: there is considerable bias towards the positive image of Authoring Ideas that we’re trying to achieve. Any discrepancies between what’s hoped for here and what’s really going on in the forums is ok. This is to put those differences into focus.
Also, we’re not implying only males can be members. But only this Bob can be my guinea pig.
People who currently get the most benefit:
The intellectual inquirer
Bob likes to question things, all the time. He spends much of his free time researching topics he finds interesting, and likes to brush up on his Plato and Aristotle from time to time. He wonders intensely about the nature of things. When it comes to political issues, he tries to get past the partisanship and find his own answers. When questioned about any of his beliefs, he can always back things up.
On Authoring Ideas, Bob can indulge his love of questioning by going onto the Ideas board, and engaging in discussions about issues of intellectual concern. He finds that being part of a community that enjoys discussing such concepts to be very rewarding, because he’s found a place, where, like him, they have opinions and ideas to share on a wide range of issues. Often, Bob posts threads about things that he’s heard in the news and wonders about, or just general questions that he finds intriguing. He may sometimes think he knows the answers and sometimes not, but he knows the value in engaging in a discussion with others about something important, especially a place where there are so many who do things with their ideas. He finds that influence empowering.
The writer
Bob considers himself a serious writer. In some respects, he’s a newbie, and in some, considered a master. For instance, he has never published a book, but has the right ideas when it comes to innovative, intriguing characters – as all of his harsh critic friends have attested to.
On Authoring Ideas, Bob enjoys being part of a community of writers all passionate about their art and the ideas they express. In the writing section of the forum, Bob learns and challenges himself daily, constantly trying to find ways to improve his writing, just like everyone else. On questions of character, Bob finds that he as a lot to give, and does. Sometimes, he even learns things where he didn’t expect to.
In the Ideas section of the forum, as a result of the explorations taking place there, Bob found the subjects and inspiration for several of his stories. He enjoys challenging himself and also presenting his own ideas, so as to gain new insight that he translates into writing.
People we want to have greater benefit (and how):
The person dissatisfied with the world
Bob’s motto is “life sucks.” He constantly finds himself disenchanted with the futility of modern life, and dislikes his friends’ conclusion that, because of this, he must be “emo”. He knows what he is concerned about is important, but he doesn’t know why – he often finds himself depressed about the way the world works. That was before Authoring Ideas.
There, he found that he had a voice, and that the things he noticed were important, and that it was important to notice them. He started gaining confidence as he tackled problems that came up in subjects on the site with his own unique perspective. The reasons for his displeasure began to become clear, and he started to convince his friends, too, that he had been onto something all along, and not just been a whiny, sullen boy.
The activist
Bob’s idea of a Friday night well spent is out on the street corner picketing for a cause he believes in. On some issues he is more mainstream, and other more radical, but all in all he is passionate about making a difference, whether that be in politics, in raising awareness about disease, or in starting a charity fund for an important cause.
Authoring Ideas serves him in several ways. First, he has a place to talk about the issues he cares about, and other people are willing to examine these things, allowing him to further develop his ideas. Furthermore, he can give to others because his perspective allows him to see connections between things because of his knowledge of the issues and his passion for making sure something is done about them. He can also see how the ideas and issues discussed on AI could make a very real impact in the world, and, more importantly, an accurate and positive impact. He can then use AI to propose a plan for action, and rally support in a community full of people who care about change. As a result, he makes a greater, more positive impact on the world because of his connection to AI.
The radical
Bob is what many would consider part of “the fringe”, and proud of it. He has intense philosophical beliefs that aren’t commonly shared. Even intellectual inquirers often don’t think like he does. He doesn’t mind being in the minority, though- he’s used to it, and has learned to like it, even if he has also learned to dislike others and their objections.
He usually meets with uninformed objection when talking about what he cares passionately for. On Authoring Ideas, however, Bob finds a community that finds his viewpoints not only valuable, but critical to creating new ways of thinking. They may not always agree with him, but his unique insight brings the larger picture of the discussion into a perspective that the other members may have missed. As a result, Bob feels less guarded about his own viewpoint, and sees the value more clearly in other people, allowing the wall of separation he’d always put between him and others to break down. This makes Bob considerably less bitter about other opinions, and confident in his own.
The innovator
Bob invents for a living. He is constantly observing, constantly asking the question: How could it be done better? The answers he comes up with on his own. It’s his job, after all.
On Authoring Ideas, Bob finds a community that cares passionately about ideas, and Bob can often put his thoughts (non-proprietary thoughts) on how things could be done out there, and get valuable input. In addition, people gain from the input he has to give, and for the observations he’s made a living out of making. The thing he finds the most value from, though, are discussions in which his question of “How could it be done better” yields powerful results, translating into actions he can take, or inventions he can create. Furthermore, giving back such input gives others inspiration in their own way of expression.
The unrepresented artist (painter in this example)
Bob likes to create and express himself through painting. He wants to start getting into the painting business because he believes in his work, and thinks it’s a style that will catch on.
On Authoring Ideas, Bob gets a sense for the general community, and a greater world perspective. He also becomes sensitive to how to display ideas through art in subtle ways. However, he learns about it through the context of writing, because there is no community of painters on the site. He finds out, however, that many of the members do paint, and, knowing some painters himself, Bob invites those new members onto the site and asks for a Painting section of the website from the staff, which he gets.
After that, Bob further enhances how he uses AI by being able to display watermarked versions of his paintings and get insight into his strengths and weaknesses from others. Also in this forum, they discuss painting techniques, including how to incorporate ideas subtly. Through this, Bob uses AI to launch his career as a professional painter.
The debater
Bob debates with everyone he sees, and he’s fine playing the devil’s advocate. Often, Bob invites his friends to debate on the pretext of coffee, and although he may never have a specific subject in mind, one always comes up.
On Authoring Ideas, Bob finds places to put his love of debating to good use, and finds he is more skilled at analyzing topics than most of the other members. He becomes an example for others on the site, and, outside of frenzied debate, Bob teaches other members so that they too can develop the skills they need for posting.
People who we want to have great benefit eventually
The nerd
Bob is a computer programming nerd. He knows about 10 programming languages.
Bob became interested in Authoring Ideas because of its philosophy of being unified around the exchange of ideas. He thinks that’s pretty cool. He found that the site was in need of programmers for its new website platform. Since he happened to know some php, he agreed to help. Now, he is helping to build an innovative new platform for the group.
Note: the following profiles are massive generalizations, and in many cases clichés. This is to reflect a sense of the general kinds of “groups” that would be associated with the member body. The members, on the other hand, are real, unique people who have many interests and beliefs.
The intention of this document is to give a sense to the members of what the possibilities, not the limitations, are regarding would be able to gain benefit from being part of the group. This is to be used as a tool for expansion, reevaluation, and recruitment.
Warning: there is considerable bias towards the positive image of Authoring Ideas that we’re trying to achieve. Any discrepancies between what’s hoped for here and what’s really going on in the forums is ok. This is to put those differences into focus.
Also, we’re not implying only males can be members. But only this Bob can be my guinea pig.
People who currently get the most benefit:
The intellectual inquirer
Bob likes to question things, all the time. He spends much of his free time researching topics he finds interesting, and likes to brush up on his Plato and Aristotle from time to time. He wonders intensely about the nature of things. When it comes to political issues, he tries to get past the partisanship and find his own answers. When questioned about any of his beliefs, he can always back things up.
On Authoring Ideas, Bob can indulge his love of questioning by going onto the Ideas board, and engaging in discussions about issues of intellectual concern. He finds that being part of a community that enjoys discussing such concepts to be very rewarding, because he’s found a place, where, like him, they have opinions and ideas to share on a wide range of issues. Often, Bob posts threads about things that he’s heard in the news and wonders about, or just general questions that he finds intriguing. He may sometimes think he knows the answers and sometimes not, but he knows the value in engaging in a discussion with others about something important, especially a place where there are so many who do things with their ideas. He finds that influence empowering.
The writer
Bob considers himself a serious writer. In some respects, he’s a newbie, and in some, considered a master. For instance, he has never published a book, but has the right ideas when it comes to innovative, intriguing characters – as all of his harsh critic friends have attested to.
On Authoring Ideas, Bob enjoys being part of a community of writers all passionate about their art and the ideas they express. In the writing section of the forum, Bob learns and challenges himself daily, constantly trying to find ways to improve his writing, just like everyone else. On questions of character, Bob finds that he as a lot to give, and does. Sometimes, he even learns things where he didn’t expect to.
In the Ideas section of the forum, as a result of the explorations taking place there, Bob found the subjects and inspiration for several of his stories. He enjoys challenging himself and also presenting his own ideas, so as to gain new insight that he translates into writing.
People we want to have greater benefit (and how):
The person dissatisfied with the world
Bob’s motto is “life sucks.” He constantly finds himself disenchanted with the futility of modern life, and dislikes his friends’ conclusion that, because of this, he must be “emo”. He knows what he is concerned about is important, but he doesn’t know why – he often finds himself depressed about the way the world works. That was before Authoring Ideas.
There, he found that he had a voice, and that the things he noticed were important, and that it was important to notice them. He started gaining confidence as he tackled problems that came up in subjects on the site with his own unique perspective. The reasons for his displeasure began to become clear, and he started to convince his friends, too, that he had been onto something all along, and not just been a whiny, sullen boy.
The activist
Bob’s idea of a Friday night well spent is out on the street corner picketing for a cause he believes in. On some issues he is more mainstream, and other more radical, but all in all he is passionate about making a difference, whether that be in politics, in raising awareness about disease, or in starting a charity fund for an important cause.
Authoring Ideas serves him in several ways. First, he has a place to talk about the issues he cares about, and other people are willing to examine these things, allowing him to further develop his ideas. Furthermore, he can give to others because his perspective allows him to see connections between things because of his knowledge of the issues and his passion for making sure something is done about them. He can also see how the ideas and issues discussed on AI could make a very real impact in the world, and, more importantly, an accurate and positive impact. He can then use AI to propose a plan for action, and rally support in a community full of people who care about change. As a result, he makes a greater, more positive impact on the world because of his connection to AI.
The radical
Bob is what many would consider part of “the fringe”, and proud of it. He has intense philosophical beliefs that aren’t commonly shared. Even intellectual inquirers often don’t think like he does. He doesn’t mind being in the minority, though- he’s used to it, and has learned to like it, even if he has also learned to dislike others and their objections.
He usually meets with uninformed objection when talking about what he cares passionately for. On Authoring Ideas, however, Bob finds a community that finds his viewpoints not only valuable, but critical to creating new ways of thinking. They may not always agree with him, but his unique insight brings the larger picture of the discussion into a perspective that the other members may have missed. As a result, Bob feels less guarded about his own viewpoint, and sees the value more clearly in other people, allowing the wall of separation he’d always put between him and others to break down. This makes Bob considerably less bitter about other opinions, and confident in his own.
The innovator
Bob invents for a living. He is constantly observing, constantly asking the question: How could it be done better? The answers he comes up with on his own. It’s his job, after all.
On Authoring Ideas, Bob finds a community that cares passionately about ideas, and Bob can often put his thoughts (non-proprietary thoughts) on how things could be done out there, and get valuable input. In addition, people gain from the input he has to give, and for the observations he’s made a living out of making. The thing he finds the most value from, though, are discussions in which his question of “How could it be done better” yields powerful results, translating into actions he can take, or inventions he can create. Furthermore, giving back such input gives others inspiration in their own way of expression.
The unrepresented artist (painter in this example)
Bob likes to create and express himself through painting. He wants to start getting into the painting business because he believes in his work, and thinks it’s a style that will catch on.
On Authoring Ideas, Bob gets a sense for the general community, and a greater world perspective. He also becomes sensitive to how to display ideas through art in subtle ways. However, he learns about it through the context of writing, because there is no community of painters on the site. He finds out, however, that many of the members do paint, and, knowing some painters himself, Bob invites those new members onto the site and asks for a Painting section of the website from the staff, which he gets.
After that, Bob further enhances how he uses AI by being able to display watermarked versions of his paintings and get insight into his strengths and weaknesses from others. Also in this forum, they discuss painting techniques, including how to incorporate ideas subtly. Through this, Bob uses AI to launch his career as a professional painter.
The debater
Bob debates with everyone he sees, and he’s fine playing the devil’s advocate. Often, Bob invites his friends to debate on the pretext of coffee, and although he may never have a specific subject in mind, one always comes up.
On Authoring Ideas, Bob finds places to put his love of debating to good use, and finds he is more skilled at analyzing topics than most of the other members. He becomes an example for others on the site, and, outside of frenzied debate, Bob teaches other members so that they too can develop the skills they need for posting.
People who we want to have great benefit eventually
The nerd
Bob is a computer programming nerd. He knows about 10 programming languages.
Bob became interested in Authoring Ideas because of its philosophy of being unified around the exchange of ideas. He thinks that’s pretty cool. He found that the site was in need of programmers for its new website platform. Since he happened to know some php, he agreed to help. Now, he is helping to build an innovative new platform for the group.