Thanks for the pointer to Mark's paper. I can't say that I understand its connection to my "Common Interests" paper, except perhaps for the very general concern with intersubjectivity. But it is directly pertinent to the IRV software I created, which is why David Price invited me to join this group. What's particularly noteworthy, I think, is the focus that Mark's paper puts on the "Hill Climbing" (HC) problem. His model allows for multiple iterations, which raises the problem that participants will often find themselves starting over after they have achieved their best result. On reflection, it appears that the consensus-generating interface I've been developing is premised on the idea of a single climb (or, in the case of very large groups, a congregating ascent to base, and then a final climb).

Looking through your Participatory Deliberation stuff on the web I was able to pick up the intellectual thread from Paul Monk to William Calvin... Very intriguing...

Ben,

Sorry for the confusion. I was referring to Benjamin Franklin not giving his Junto group enough credit for his success.

Franklin has always been a hero of mine. So much so that the little guy's name in the picture is Benjamin. He is my second born. Andrew (slightly more towards Jackson with some thoughts toward Carnegie) my first born is taking the picture.