One of our supporters recently brought our attention to a great local activist web site put together by concerned residents in Reading, Massachusetts. It should serve as a model for citizens around the state.
One of the more fascinating pages on the site concerns the "Delphi Technique". Anyone with experience dealing with town or school committees knows how this works, but may not have seen this name or analysis. The Reading site references Lynn M. Stuter's web site, which "includes what is perhaps that finest comprehensive explanation of the Delphi Technique on the 'net'." Excerpts from Informed Residents of Reading intro page:
The Delphi Technique is a calculated method some administrators (such as school superintendents), committees (such as a school committee or school building committee), group facilitators and special interest groups (some ballot question groups and less-than-honorable architectural firms) use to achieve "consensus." Through the use of the Delphi Technique and the promotion of an "us" vs "them" mentality among the citizens of a community, dissenting voices are identifed, marginalized and discredited and the (often hidden) agendas of various groups and controlling individuals promoted....
Are You Being Delphied? - The goal of the Delphi technique is to lead a targeted group of people to a predetermined outcome, while giving the illusion of taking public input and under the pretext of being accountable to the public....
How to deal with difficult parents describes how some administrataros are trained to deal with questioning, opposing and dissenting individuals. (Have you ever been told you're the first person to complain?) ...
If you can't prove the speaker's points are wrong or invalid, attack him personally. Also, accuse him of doing exactly what you are doing....
You've got to confuse the issue, make it hard for the opposing speakers to get their points across. Remember that everyone has their own equally valid opinions and suggestions (that can be disregarded).
