What You Might Do as a Discussion Leader When an Old Linkedin Discussion Shows Up as a “New Discussion.”

This is my humble thesis of a practical theory on how discussions (or any other social network conversations) might go viral. Influenced by the great American scientific philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce, whose recognition came almost a century later [1], I suggest that the process is not simply...

By José Antonio Vanderhorst Silverio, Ph.D.
Systemic Consultant: Electricity
Socio-Technical Electric Power Industry System Designer
IEEE Life Senior Member
April 13, 2012

When an old discussion shows up as a “New Discussion” in an e-mail notification of Linkedin, it is likely that it may have been filtered in order no to show as a “Still Active Discussion” with a few lead words that might make a big difference to capture your attention away from the information overload. My counterintuitive suggestion to discussion leaders is to be well aware that someone may not want you to consider an important issue for you that might be becoming viral with your timely help.

This is my humble thesis of a practical theory on how discussions (or any other social network conversations) might go viral. Influenced by the great American scientific philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce, whose recognition came almost a century later [1], I suggest that the process is not simply logical, but also ethical and esthetical. I understand that it has to do not just with the logical thinking, but with the esthetical sentiments that trigger an ethical decision. Influenced now by Malcolm Gladwell, I also understand that, to reach “The Tipping Point” in order to go viral, only a few leaders in the community need to be convinced, the rest will be convinced directly or indirectly by their leaders.

Such has been the case, once again, of the discussion “Does the IEEE Code of Ethics Fully Supports Advancing Technology For Humanity? [2, 3, 4]” that for example, today, unlike two other “Still Active Discussions” in which I participated that did show up and unlike many days before, this time did not show up consistently in any of the 5 concurrent IEEE groups as a “Still Active Discussion.” Since this now is a much larger Linkedin issue that has repeatedly happened, this discussion is now beyond the public IEEE groups. Next is a compressed version of the “Still Active Discussion” comment that showed up as a “New Discussion.” To see the whole comment, please go the actual discussion [2].

Călin Radu Vilt wrote: “Excellent discussion! Congratulations to all of You and specially to Mr. Jose Antonio Vanderhorst-Silverio for the initiative of the subject !...” This was 19 days ago… My response was: “Thank you very much Călin for writing “Excellent discussion! Congratulations… In a normal polite way I should stop at that, but then we won’t learn anything else.”

In my case didn't agree and took exception on "In principle this kind of discussion underline the difference between engineers and doctors! Doctors sworn and engineers are not doing it. From here I think start the problem with code of ethics." I suggest that in my case the difference is for an engineer or doctor to become what the article of the discussion “First Draft: Let’s Emulate Uno Lamm’s Accomplishments Through Imagination and Truth [5]” describes. This new discussion mixes the battle for the IEEE Systemic Code of Ethics into the war for the Value Added Electricity Architecture Framework.

This comment was posted on the IEEE Smart Grid Group.

I suggest that you please leave this discussion and go to the IEEE Group discussion “First Draft: Let’s Emulate Uno Lamm’s Accomplishments Through Imagination and Truth” in this same public group by hitting the corresponding link:

http://bit.ly/GMH095 for the IEEE Smart Grid Group

http://bit.ly/GMH097 for the IEEE SSIT Group

http://bit.ly/GMH096 for the IEEE Spectrum Group

In the case of private groups: The Official IEEE Group and the IEEE Senior Group, search for the discussion to go there.

References:
[1] How to Cross the Thin Line from Arrogance to Leadership, June 19, 2010, GMH Blog.
[2] Does the IEEE Code of Ethics Fully Supports Advancing Technology For Humanity?, IEEE Smart Grid Group of Linkedin.
[3] Does the IEEE Code of Ethics Fully Supports Advancing Technology For Humanity?, IEEE SSIT Group of Linkedin.
[4] Does the IEEE Code of Ethics Fully Supports Advancing Technology For Humanity?, IEEE Spectrum Group of Linkedin.
[5] First Draft: Let’s Emulate Uno Lamm’s Accomplishments Through Imagination and Truth, April 11, 2012, GMH Blog.