Was it only 19 days ago that I wrote my fateful comment on Bill Arnold's blog in response to his vision for emergent? I suggested seeing emergent as somewhat akin to a professional society. Discussion has spiraled around with Karen as instigator, to Will Samson as conversation leader and various other points along the way.
Somewhere in there Andrew Jones got in his beautiful post about the emergent nature of emergent... (who knew they had the internet in the Orkneys anyway - what's up with that?)
I don't know if the (professional? amateur?) society motif will catch on ultimately, but I did decide to just take a quick look at the definition of "society". Very modern of me, I know. Here it is, courtesy of Merriam-Webster, with a little commentary on what I think it means for emergent:
Main Entry: so·ci·e·ty
Etymology: Middle French societé, from Latin societat-, societas, from socius companion
There five definitions in total, so you'd think at least one might fit.
1 : companionship or association with one's fellows : friendly or intimate intercourse : COMPANY
Well that seems a good enough start. I'm not sure we can get the intimate intercourse part by the more prudish members though... (insert winky face here).
2 : a voluntary association of individuals for common ends; especially : an organized group working together or periodically meeting because of common interests, beliefs, or profession
This seems to be the heart of the matter. In many ways this seems to be an ideal goal for an emergent society. In many ways it is what has been happening on an informal/semi-formal basis.
3 a : an enduring and cooperating social group whose members have developed organized patterns of relationships through interaction with one another b : a community, nation, or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and collective activities and interests
Again, really good stuff, emphasizing the relational nature of emergent, and if that doesn't describe bloggers to a "t" then I don't know what does.
4 a : a part of a community that is a unit distinguishable by particular aims or standards of living or conduct : a social circle or a group of social circles having a clearly marked identity <move in polite society> <literary society> b : a part of the community that sets itself apart as a leisure class and that regards itself as the arbiter of fashion and manners
Part a) definitely applies. Even part b), while not necessarily a desirable function, has been seen (must have cool tattoo, piercing, goatee - there are emrgent style rules...) So far 4 for 4.
5 a : a natural group of plants usually of a single species or habit within an association b : the progeny of a pair of insects when constituting a social unit (as a hive of bees); broadly : an interdependent system of organisms or biological units
And bingo - we have five definitions, all of which fit to some degree. I wasn't expecting this last one to work, but here we have hints of the organic, natural type of entity that Andrew Jones was getting at. If an emergent society needs a mascot, need we look any further?
Ant society anyone?
