Comments on: Starfish? Spiders? More Like Birds. http://davetroy.com/posts/starfish-spiders-more-like-birds Design, Entrepreneurship, Economics and Software Tue, 08 May 2012 16:58:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Matthew Wettergreen http://davetroy.com/posts/starfish-spiders-more-like-birds#comment-193 Matthew Wettergreen Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:56:55 +0000 http://davetroy.com/?p=110#comment-193 Great post, Dave. The presence of a catalyst is important for initiation but that catalyst does not necessarily need to be an individual. For example environmental considerations or economic situations which drive a flock to take flight and perform according to the algorithm. Similar to the economic and social conditions that exist now and are perfect for the formation of coworking worldwide. Great post, Dave. The presence of a catalyst is important for initiation but that catalyst does not necessarily need to be an individual. For example environmental considerations or economic situations which drive a flock to take flight and perform according to the algorithm. Similar to the economic and social conditions that exist now and are perfect for the formation of coworking worldwide.

]]> By: Jack Hadley http://davetroy.com/posts/starfish-spiders-more-like-birds#comment-192 Jack Hadley Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:08:35 +0000 http://davetroy.com/?p=110#comment-192 Thanks, Dave, for the insightful post. And Todd, I agree with you that there are many catalysts. We are just about to open a coworking space here in Utah. Our impetus has been multi faceted. In part a person, in part a cause. We have been following the wiki and dialog for many months, but have been too busy trying to get our space open to comment. Would love your input and feedback as we get closer to opening. Here's to flocking! Thanks, Dave, for the insightful post. And Todd, I agree with you that there are many catalysts. We are just about to open a coworking space here in Utah. Our impetus has been multi faceted. In part a person, in part a cause. We have been following the wiki and dialog for many months, but have been too busy trying to get our space open to comment. Would love your input and feedback as we get closer to opening. Here’s to flocking!

]]> By: davetroy http://davetroy.com/posts/starfish-spiders-more-like-birds#comment-191 davetroy Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:38:31 +0000 http://davetroy.com/?p=110#comment-191 Todd - I agree. The flocking algorithms don't work until the number of peers surrounding each individual is at some critical number, perhaps 2-3 at a minimum. Once that critical flock mass is met, then adding new members is done at a low marginal cost, and the original catalysation need not be repeated. This explains why the best possible catalyst is to *do* a Jelly, or something like it. Simply doing the act creates the prerequisite critical mass for the flocking behavior, in all its elegance and simplicity, to take hold for the long term. Todd – I agree. The flocking algorithms don’t work until the number of peers surrounding each individual is at some critical number, perhaps 2-3 at a minimum.

Once that critical flock mass is met, then adding new members is done at a low marginal cost, and the original catalysation need not be repeated.

This explains why the best possible catalyst is to *do* a Jelly, or something like it. Simply doing the act creates the prerequisite critical mass for the flocking behavior, in all its elegance and simplicity, to take hold for the long term.

]]> By: Todd Sundsted http://davetroy.com/posts/starfish-spiders-more-like-birds#comment-190 Todd Sundsted Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:23:41 +0000 http://davetroy.com/?p=110#comment-190 Great model! It describes both what I experience and what I see practiced in coworking, especially as the number of spaces grows and coworkers have options. This ties in to another model I've been thinking about recently (thanks to Tony)... the tipping point. One person can't flock, two people can't flock, but clearly, at some point, a group with enough identity and cohesion develops to demonstrate this kind of behavior. My feeling is that there are many kinds of catalysts. Sometimes it is a person, sometimes it is a cause, sometimes it emerges from a space, virtual or real. It's necessary until the flock forms. At the tipping point, the flock behavior takes over. Great model! It describes both what I experience and what I see practiced in coworking, especially as the number of spaces grows and coworkers have options.

This ties in to another model I’ve been thinking about recently (thanks to Tony)… the tipping point. One person can’t flock, two people can’t flock, but clearly, at some point, a group with enough identity and cohesion develops to demonstrate this kind of behavior.

My feeling is that there are many kinds of catalysts. Sometimes it is a person, sometimes it is a cause, sometimes it emerges from a space, virtual or real. It’s necessary until the flock forms. At the tipping point, the flock behavior takes over.

]]> By: davetroy http://davetroy.com/posts/starfish-spiders-more-like-birds#comment-189 davetroy Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:43:08 +0000 http://davetroy.com/?p=110#comment-189 Zvi - thanks for the input. I'd argue however that catalyst!=control. Once started, that initial catalyst is no longer required. And any one individual could have been that catalyst, no one "leader" with unique skills was really required. Anyway, we're splitting hairs... good luck on your efforts in DC. As you know I'm trying to be that catalyst in Baltimore too! Zvi – thanks for the input. I’d argue however that catalyst!=control. Once started, that initial catalyst is no longer required. And any one individual could have been that catalyst, no one “leader” with unique skills was really required.

Anyway, we’re splitting hairs… good luck on your efforts in DC. As you know I’m trying to be that catalyst in Baltimore too!

]]> By: Zvi Band http://davetroy.com/posts/starfish-spiders-more-like-birds#comment-188 Zvi Band Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:18:24 +0000 http://davetroy.com/?p=110#comment-188 Interesting perspective. However, there is some central control - a catalyst to initiate a meetup. Otherwise the flocking algorithm doesn't apply - we're all flying by ourselves. I'm working on organizing a co-working group in DC this week, we'll see how that goes! Interesting perspective.

However, there is some central control – a catalyst to initiate a meetup. Otherwise the flocking algorithm doesn’t apply – we’re all flying by ourselves.

I’m working on organizing a co-working group in DC this week, we’ll see how that goes!

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