Web Lab - Small Group Dialogues

Introduction

Listening
to the City (site)

MSNBC Dialogues

Reality Check (site)

SGD History

SGD Evaluation

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Small Group Dialogue

SGD is a more perfect discussion tool built to foster intimate, high-quality exchanges.

By limiting group size and lifespan, Small Group Dialogue emphasizes each member's value, encouraging a sense of belonging and an investment in frequent visits. The result is a structured experience requiring minimal intervention, and an astonishing signal-to-noise ratio unmatched in any conventional online dialogue model.

Principles of SGD

SIZE - STRUCTURE OVER CLAMOR
Participants are assigned to multiple small groups, instead of joining a crowded, anonymous mass.

TIME - INVESTING, NOT DRIVING BY
Limited lifespan of each group promotes commitment and provides closure.

ACCOUNTABILITY - LISTENING INSTEAD OF FLAMING
Emphasis on member bios and member-promoted content drives visibility, a sense of belonging and self-regulation.

EFFICIENCY - AUTOMATION REDUCES MODERATION
Tracking, administration and notification system for users and hosts allows for cost-efficient community monitoring.

"Groups like Web Lab are building new kinds of Web forums designed to foster a more useful debate."

- The Washington Post, MTV: Battling Hate Online, February 1, 2001

"... one of the most innovative ideas for creating value and relevance in online conversation."

- The New York Times, Improving Dialogue on the Internet, July 5, 1999

The SGD tool and technique were refined over several years, through a series of extraordinary discussions on topics including interracial families and the Clinton impeachment. The latest version of the software was built by Web Crossing, a leader in online community technology, in a non-exclusive partnership with Web Lab.

more about SGD's history...