Forum Post: Consensus: A Warning from a Former User
Posted 12 years ago on Oct. 31, 2011, 4:30 a.m. EST by howardr
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Dear 99%ers,
I'd like to share a hard-earned lesson from a former follower of the consensus method. We used the method for years in the anti-nuclear movement. I loved it and felt empowered by it -- until some horrible blocking moments, or just hours and hours of torturous process, finally made me rethink it all. My 1984 pamphlet, "Blocking Progress: Consensus Decision Making in the Anti-Nuclear Movement," received a wide reading at the time. Since then, I've worked widely in majority vote environments -- primarily the labor movement -- and come to appreciate basic democratic processes. My pamphlet is online at http://www.docspopuli.org/pdfs/consensus.pdf.
In solidarity,
Howard
Though being an atheist, after reading this post and the attachment I stretched out my arms towards the sky and shouted Hallelujah! F.I.N.A.L.L.Y! If you could write another pages or so on the need of prioritized goals I will convert to a religion of your choice, become a veganist or take another big life changing decision of your choice.
Here is another good article on the problem of concesus http://pt.indymedia.org/conteudo/newswire/4835?page=200 I think we need a self appointed majority rules committee
BRAVO! now we need to get our process addicts to read this
Good point.
Excellent analysis of the pros and cons of the process. Thank you.
I've wondered if I or any other Tom, Dick or Harry can attend a GA, block all actions that day, go home to bed and come back the next day to do that again? If so that's whack.