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	Discuss: Next Subject -- the network sets its agenda Topic: What is the "Next Subject" pair-wise sort?

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michaelhopkins

FM Editor

Member Since:
06 Dec 2005
Posts:82

16 Dec 2005 1:21 AM

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WHAT IT IS:
The pair-wise sort is simply a way to enable the entire FutureMonitor sensing network to rank a set of subjects (or questions) collectively. The top-ranking subject--the one the network has collectively judged most important to discuss--will be highlighted and developed as a focused discussion topic. The sort is a simple way to aggregate the evaluations of all network members.
When FutureMonitor is launched wide in 2006, each subject sort will run for seven days. During Beta, with only a very small voting population, the sorts will run longer.

HOW IT WORKS:
Ten different subjects have been loaded into the sorting program, which shows them to FM network members in pairs. You can choose between the paired subjects shown as often as you want. (After each time you choose, you'll be given the option of choosing between a new pair of subjects.) As you and other network members vote, eventually all the possible subject pairs will be voted on numerous times. When the sorting process is halted, a rank order of the 10 subjects will be generated, and a report on the sort will be posted.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Besides voting (early and often, as they used to say in Chicago), you can propose subjects and questions for inclusion in the next sort. Go to the "Propose a Subject/Question for Sorting" topic that's pinned beneath this one in the topic view of this discussion, and add to the thread. FutureMonitor editors will add those proposed subjects to the pool.

melblake

Member Since:
21 Jan 2006
Posts:4

08 Mar 2006 10:22 PM

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While this pair competition is good at sifting "top-of-mind" issues, I'm as intrigued by the subjects that are bottom of mind, yet have a potential to sneak up on us. In addition to rank status of a subject at a particular time, it would be interesting to know the velocity and direction of movement of a subject across time. For example, "port security" would have surged in the past 3 weeks as a subject (as I sit here on March 8, 2006). This is what prediction markets are good for. Of course, we'd have to continue to poll issues in the pair competition over time for this to work... but the issues polled so far are so sweeping that they will likely continue to be relevant going forward.

gainesross
User is offline

Member Since:
09 Mar 2006
Posts:2

09 Mar 2006 9:12 AM

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I had never really thought about an elder-backlash but I think that is truly a possibility. However, what I find particularly interesting about the baby boomer big boom (and I am one) is what women are going to do. In a survey by Merrill Lynch, one of the findings indicated that women are going to have a hard time having their male counterparts retired and hanging out. The survey found that men were content to stay at home and enjoy a less stressful life while women had no interest in staying home with their husbands. Women wanted to get some form of employment and be out of the house. For women, the clash between working and now stay-at-home "husbands" will be a new source of discussion. Perhaps men who stay at home will opt to take care of the grandchildren! It sure will be an interesting experiment. lgr

netsakt

Member Since:
17 Jan 2006
Posts:1

11 Mar 2006 1:31 AM

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I like the binary nature of pairs choice, though I worry a bit about ballot stuffing. Would not like to see subjects imposed by virture of too much time on one's hands or insistence that the topic make the "hit parade". Once the membership of FM reaches critical mass, you might consider changing the rules to represent the choice made by the full audience based on the democratic process - one person, one vote.

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