Tag Archives: Violence

Engaging Power: An Illustration of Cohesion

Posted on September 12, 2018 by julianstodd

I wrote a series of four pieces recently, exploring gang violence, but really a perspective on the power structures, and mechanisms of coherence, that underly community (and mechanisms for diffusing, or countering, toxic culture). It is all fairly early stage, … Continue reading →

Posted in Gangs | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Engaging Power [4]: Diffusion

Posted on August 2, 2018 by julianstodd

How do we fight, how do we conquer? In oppositional models of power, we deploy overwhelming force, to disrupt the structure. The sledgehammer solution. But when the structures of violence are held within coherent social units, the sledgehammer reinforces them. … Continue reading →

Posted in Complexity, Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Engaging Power [3]: Loci

Posted on August 1, 2018 by julianstodd

There is always a locus of engagement, a point where we are anchored. Multiple points maybe, for different contexts of our lives, but some place, or thing, that acts as the tether. If you are at school, the loci may … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Culture | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Engaging Power [1]: Conflict

Posted on July 30, 2018 by julianstodd

To think that gangs are an aberration, or impermanent structure, is a mistake: they are stable social structures, governed by the same bonding mechanisms as the local church, or regional police force. They are structures of power, partly formalised, partly … Continue reading →

Posted in Community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Violence of Stories

Posted on June 27, 2018 by julianstodd

Sticks and stones may break bones, but words are, allegedly, harmless. Or maybe not. There can be a violence in communication, not an act of physical aggression, but aggression nonetheless. The violence of vitriol, carefully constructed to cause pain. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Leadership, Stories, Storytelling | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Futility of Peace

Posted on December 10, 2016 by julianstodd

I have been reflecting on ‘types of power‘ recently, which has tipped me into thinking about peace. Some power is defined internally, by our ability to influence or command, whilst another type is defined in opposition: by holding the contrary … Continue reading →

Posted in Community | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Break Stuff: Exercises in Agility

Posted on January 28, 2016 by julianstodd

But what to break? That which you own? That which you have permission to challenge? Should you break processes or thoughts? Perceptions of conventions? Whether your permission is granted or claimed, social or formal, the decisions remain: what aspects of … Continue reading →

Posted in Agile | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments