Context Markers - Place - Virtuality

In previous post I introduced the idea of context markers and focused on marker n:0 1 - Time. Please read it first, if you haven´t done it yet.

The idea of context markers is from systemic thinking. Shortly an overview: context markers are building the stories and meaning. Context is seen always from individual perspective. The more you share the contexts the more you probably share the meaning. Two people in the same place, at same time may tell totally different stories about the same happening or issue...

Now I am thinking about marker n:0 2 - PLACE as a context marker. What it means today in the complexed collage of F2F and virtual work. Traditionally it has been clear, what PLACE ment: the physical presence in a place where you are in the moment. Now it isn´t that clear anymore. It´s more about where your mind is and where you are interacting. It about been present somewhere, where your mind is focused. You can be more embodied in a virtual place than in the place where you body actually is. We probably need new skills to be present in a new way and agility to move between physical and virtual environments - quick mental jumps.

You might sit in a cafe and participate to a web meeting, chat discussion,...and your mind is more in the virtual place than in a real place where you are. If you are multitasking, you can be in several "places" at the same time or the place just don´t matter at all. Can I be "placeless" - nowhere? Being somewhere is also part of us - a basic human issue. It´s easier to remember things, which are connected to certain place. If we are using standard web meeting tools, that look always the same, can we remember the "place"? If place is not anymore a meaningful context marker, how is it replaced in our mind? Is there new context markers or is some of them becoming more important? I think, that markers 3 (definition of relationship) and 5 (language game) are nowadays more important than earlier. What do you think?

I have been quite critical to 3D collaboration solutions until now(2nd life, Qwaq etc.). Anyhow their are creating a "real places" and building context much more effectively than web meeting rooms and text-based forums.

I have been thinking about dialogical blogging and still writing this alone. I hope, that I could invite you to "dialogue" with me with all these questions.