We explore the potential of self-organizing networks through the formation of “Fractal Circles” where like-minded individuals can share ideas and collaborate around topics that interest them and bond them together ~ OR ~ just as a “pod” who find value in sharing and supporting each other in their journey through life together. Fractal Circles is an emergent framework for how to quickly easily and effectively organize into working groups that enter into a constructive container to be able to connect, share their ideas, ask questions, get help, and connect more broadly to the macro scale of the human collective intelligence through collaborating in an easy to coordinate and be fully included in the micro-scale group. As an ’emergent framework,’ it is not guided by a set of rules but evolving guidelines bound by peoples willingness to work with each other within the proposed framework while honoring each individuals sovereignty and agency to have their voice be heard and decide how they are going to participate in the collaborative experience while providing freedom and autonomy and connect with those who have a similar interest in collaborating together.
The fractal circles framework is guided by humans innate intelligence on how to most effectively connect within a small “family/group/tribe” context, our most natural collaborative setting, and bio-mimicry as seen in the microbiome and the growth and evolution of organisms.
Fractal Circle Framework (An evolving context)
- Self-organizing small circles of like minded individuals who have a shared common interest of roughly 5 – 7 active members for geographically based groups and 5 – 14 members for virtual groups.
- As circles grow beyond a comfortable number of members where the intimacy and effectiveness of the communication begins to drop members within the group can propose solutions which could be to split the circle into two circles (mimicking cell division.)
- Circles interlink with other circles through multi-circle member participation, anyone can be a member of as many circles as they want to collaborate and cross pollinate. This is essential to sense and distribute the emergent collective intelligence.
- Multiple circles with a shared interest or purpose can setup a “center-circle” with delegates from all participating circles. Center-circles can relay the information and work of the fractal-circles, develop it within the context of a greater whole, and then redistribute that information back to the circles.
- Circles have coordinators whether it be a single individual, a couple of circle members, or all of the members in the circle. Coordinators are responsible for organizing group meetings, facilitating the discussion when needed, and bring fully present with the group to keep it grounded.
- Fractal circles are “consent” based, an interested individual invited by the group to join their circle or may ask to be a visitor to be approved by the circle as resident status. Circle citizenship resembles a members growth into a coordinator/facilitator role.
- Fractal Circle’s are fluid, they can be “spun-up” only for a few meetings or for longer periods of time, members can enter and exit the circles fluidly as long as the structure the circle decides on is followed, circles are autonomous and free to morph and change as they see fit.
FRACTAL CIRCLES GUIDELINES (An evolving framework)
This list of recommended guidelines represents an initial framework for how to apply fractal-circles to self-organize which is meant to be followed by the circles discretion to facilitate the implementation of fractal circles to begin to self organize but may be adapted by the circle to meet their needs.
- Circles can be spun-up by anyone who find others who accepts their invitation to start/join a circle with them.
- The founding member of a circle has the initial responsibility to be the coordinator for the circle at least until more coordinators come on board.
- Circles beyond connecting on virtual messaging platforms hold at least one live session every two weeks.
- Circles have interlinking members with at least two other circles in order to cross pollinate information and ideas.
- When members are absent from two consecutive sessions without explanation they are put on inactive status at which point they will have to ask to re-join the group and be voted in by consent.
- A circle founder/organizer can add new members to a circle for up to a half moon cycle in the genesis phase of the circle without addressing the group after which new membership has to be by consent and proposed from within the circle, potentially per the inquiry of an interested individual.
- Circles can invite guests from other circles to join them for a session to share information and or collaborate on a project.
- Circles should be transparent to other circles in their connected network with accessible message forums and recorded sessions when possible.
* More guidelines can be created as we implement the framework and prototype different approaches. Fractal-Circles is a game we evolve and develop together; a symbiotic organism of organisms within an ecosystem of organisms.