Fuzzy Boundaries

What are we naming?

The genius of this deceptively simple exercise is that it opens other important discussions we should be having, but allows for a more productive conversation than more emotionally charged topics.

What are some of the defining features of our community? What we would like it to be?

Are we active in our decisions or do we define ourselves by things around us?

Should our identity be unique?

How do we communicate? How do we handle disagreements?

How do we make decisions?

Features:
The air smells like chocolate. - None of us are addicted; we could stop any time we wanted; we choose not to.
We have an intersection that utterly befuddles drivers on a daily basis. We make sport of it, eating cheesies watching the other drivers boil over.
Our roads are grey.
There have been a couple of terrible crimes here. We deeply hope our children can be safe.
There are many kids here. The parks bubble with a joyful noise.
Many homes here have iron railings – iron lines.
We've got one maniac cyclist whose odour can be detected a block and a half away.
We've got the prettiest girls in the universe.

Initiative.
Some features are passive, some do more to reflect the character of the people.
A community where you commonly see the phrase “Live free or die” on the local Harley Davidsons, is one where ideas are a defining feature. Another community that identify closely with ideas hold up the words “Liberte Egalite Fraternite”. Canadians often relate to the landscape and are comfortable being defined by geography, but we should consider other things as well. Will you roll your eyes at a Dumbledore quote? “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

Uniquitude
A long time ago I was told this area had the name 'Junction Triangle'. It turns out there are hundreds of triangular communities around. That might be a good reason to think of something else, but maybe not.
There is a song from my youth with a refrain “And they'll know we are Christians by our love...” Not all Christians feel that to be definitive, but many do. I remember being out onetime, and a friend was told that something he had done was very “Christian”. Not being Christian he was really annoyed. Kindness or love are by no means a monopoly of Christians, but for some, embedding values in their identity helps them make difficult decisions. Of course I am interested in the roll of values in identity more than religion itself.
If something is deeply held, perhaps it doesn't have to be unique.

Communication
Communities shape themselves usually by newspapers, from the Shipping News to the New York Times. Many say the Atkinson Principles have played a major role in their community. An internet forum seems to potentially be an excellent mechanism for bouncing ideas around. But there is a bit of an art to communication. I have a friend Pam, who is very good at being “hard on ideas and soft on people.” It is important for people to feel free to express themselves, and to keep open discussions open, but continue to be willing to go for a beer together even if you are in the middle of a disagreement. The good thing about the intertube is that you can read a post; ruminate on it and maybe make a thoughtful reply. Anonymously if you feel more comfortable. In practice people tend not to optimize this opportunity. It might be good to encourage people to set up user accounts and use them most of the time – take responsibility for your words.

Decisions
I always find it interesting when people are fearful of democracy. But of course she is so widely abused that there is little wonder. If your government spends four dollars for every dollar of revenue; something will give if you like it or not. We can vote to defy math or physics (who remembers yogic flying?) but we would only make ourselves fools. I think a community name is a good thing to vote on. But establishing a culture of communication respectfully of facts, and people; but also open to hashing out an argument is important.

What other things define or describe a community? What are some of the features of the community where you grew up? What are the features of the community you would like this to be?