Talk, as they say, is cheap. To some this is a very good thing. It’s never been easier to gather up dialogue using tools for collaboration. In a committed wiki, everyone has a point of view.
But what lies beyond the wiki? Converting talk into action is not so easy for a whole host of reasons.
Some people are simply not motivated to do more than talk. The power of the voice online is a tempting offer to deliver a stream of consciousness that’s attractive to many for the fame simply of being seen.
Once the bonding starts to happen online, collaboration tools like wikis operate through a series of responses to develop a cumulative strength of opinion, and some consensus, but not always.
The wiki is also the domain of cyber-bullying where the egos of thread contributors can be trounced by dominant group members, overwhelmed by points of view so vehement they simply fold, cease to contribute, or exit stage left.
The significance of leadership within wikis is I think heavily underestimated. Failing to recognize that dominant personalities can stifle creativity in other participants, failing to recognize that good leadership is important within a democratic wiki, can prevent wikis from achieving anything at all.
The real opportunity of the wiki is to move beyond talk into valuable and productive collaboration and for many the challenge about how best to do that is upon them.
When digital type was first invented people went crazy with fonts. The sweet shop was just too tasty, the range available just too big, for people not to gorge themselves until typographic indigestion set in. Something had to be done. All the fonts were there, but no-one could actually read anything.
So it is with wikis, where the temptation to add something, to be seen to be seen, to have the last word, can have a massive impact. Sometimes, it’s a good thing just to let an idea be, just as it is; wikis rarely offer that option.
For those who want to go above and beyond the wiki, the real value is in adding to good ideas by firstly letting them rest. A good idea takes time to assimilate and be truly appreciated for what it is.
Contributing to a good idea is then not so much about talk at all, it requires action. Accepting the challenge to step up a gear and get practical, developing a methodology that proves the concept, solving problems, taking responsibility for applying and making it work in certain areas, helping in a hands-on way to iron out the kinks, is a lot harder than telling.
In a streamlined world, and in either real or the virtual environments, the best contributors are prepared to make a commitment to the thread that way, by moving into production. Are yours?