Mapping the path to peace in the Middle East
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Independent Minds
Building on The Independent’s map of the Crisis in Gaza, which generated widespread interest and support—and as Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and George Mitchell begin to reach out the Middle East—Independent readers and the Debategraph community have begun to focus on the options for achieving a long-term sustainable peace in the Middle East.
As before the first objective will be to develop a comprehensive map of the issues and options facing the main regional actors and the international community, and the arguments for and against the different options.
As the process develops, the map will begin to encompass the key diplomatic texts, analysis and initiatives from all sides; with the aim of representing the different worldviews and interests fairly and succinctly on a common map.
In this case though we want to push the mapping process one stage further: by using the map as an informal, multi-dimensional poll about the merits of the different options.
Everyone who registers to participate in the map will be able to signal the merit they attach to the different issues, options and arguments just by clicking on the arrows in the map. The ratings can be applied just to the top level options or, if you are minded to do so, through the entire structure as you navigate around.
As the votes are cast, the visual structure of the map will change to reflect the significance of the different elements as perceived by the community of participants—with the stronger options and arguments beginning to come the fore.
The process will run over the next four weeks; with the emphasis shifting from mapping to rating in the fourth week. However, the mapping and rating processes can occur simultaneously: so if you want to experiment with the rating system feel free to start now.
?and as before you can you can also keep up to date with developments on the Gaza map via the Independent Minds blog and @TheIndyDebate on Twitter.
David Price [david AT debategraph DOT org]
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Comments
The map is a visual wiki open to collaborative editing that starts with a few illustrative elements to seed the discussion. As you can see (above) more events have been added to the historical section since you posted your comments, and anyone is welcome to add any more at any time.
David
Although it may not be immediately apparent on first use, every point on the map can be connected to any other point on the map (or any other group of points) in a complex multidimensional structure; so if you would like cross-relate the different points and the different branches of the map in the way that you describe you are welcome to do so.
Similarly, each point on the map is described not only by the short heading and roll-over text shown in the visualization above, but also by an expanded text that can be up to 50,000 characters long and include images and other media (which you can access via the buttons below the graph). This allows you to add detailed essay or report length contributions to any point on the map.
If you would like me to guide you through either process, just let me know - and, in the meantime, I have added a first draft of the arguments from your LiveJournal blog post on the Sinai Peninsula proposal to the map here:
http://debategraph.org/flash/fv.asp
David
Bearing in mind that it was known at the time that many hundreds of civilians had been killed and thousands maimed, the article included the following lie...
"There is no reason at this stage to doubt Israel's description of its ground assault as 'defensive'."
And this concern for troops who were about to commit many atrocities against defenceless men, women and children...
"Israeli troops are now exposed to death, injury and capture and to becoming perilously bogged down."
I would dearly like to know the name of the individual who wrote this Zionist Hasbara, but don't expect to find out.
The whole structure of the map is like a wiki - everything is mutable and provisional, and anyone can add new issues, positions, arguments, events and evidence to the map. At the time of writing the map is at any early stage of development, with plenty of gaps to fill and strands to deepen.
Each element on the map can be cross-related to any other element on the map; so any point can be seen in the context of any other point or any other group of points. And each element is described not only via the heading and roll-over text shown in the visualization above, but also via an expanded text that can be up to 50,000 characters and include images and other media. You can begin to access and explore this deeper content via the buttons displayed below the graph.
You are welcome to edit and restructure the map and to enrich it with new voices and perspectives; with the collective aim over the next four weeks being to develop the currently inchoate structure towards a maximum of community intelligence - i.e. a point at which every perspective is represented fairly and succinctly on the map and (temporarily at least) no one has anything further to add.
You can improve the map by adding new material to it directly or, if you prefer, by leaving suggestions for additions and/or links to relevant documents and articles as comments here.
If anyone has any questions about how to accomplish any of the above, I'll be delighted to help.
David