I’ve just returned from Coppercon. That was one of my best science
fiction conventions ever. I felt at home there, met a lot of good
people, and contributed to a full slate of panels. I had a great
time.

A panel is the usual form of education and entertainment at a
science fiction convention. Three to six authors, scientists,
artists, long-time fans, or other experts sit behind a table at the
front of the room, and discuss a topic. When a panel works well,
each panelist brings their own perspective to the topic, we share
information, and the audience asks quality questions and
contributes additional knowledge.

For example, in Privacy in the Age of Surveillance, I arrived with
a social perspective. My copanelists brought knowledge of the
state of the art in technology, and a discussion of self-protection
and trust networks emerged between us. For the Fan Body Language
panel, each panelist had noticed different things about how to spot
an sf fan in a crowd. When we tried some demonstration
conversations, the observers picked up patterns the conversers were
not consciously aware of.

In both cases, having three panelists brought out more knowledge
than having a single speaker. Different backgrounds bring
different information to the table. More than that, simply having
a different perspective allowed some panelists to see what others
couldn’t. I am not conscious of my own body language and
blindspots. The panelists watching me could see them.

When time allows, I have other eyes look over these newsletters
before they go out. My editors see weaknesses I miss, and my
writing becomes better. So, even though I am sometimes
uncomfortable receiving criticism, I have trained myself over years
of classes, workshops, and writing groups to look for quality
feedback and to appreciate receiving it. It pays off just as well
for me as it does for my clients who pay me to edit their
manuscripts.

Does the advantage of smart collaboration apply to large groups as
well as small ones? We have been gathering evidence that it does.
Open societies — those that discuss policies and accept criticism
— have won in economic and military conflict over closed
societies. Businesses that discover ways for employees and
customers to contribute become more agile and profitable than ones
set in hierarchical bureaucracy. And the peer review process of
science pushes advancement faster than any previous method of
investigating the universe.

So, if we want to be smart – if we want to solve the large and
small problems of our time – we need to learn to work together. We
need to find ways to use differences as a strength rather than a
cause for conflict. We need to accept and appreciate those who
point out the weaknesses in our plans and projects. We need each
other.

Think about how you can use another perspective to strengthen your
work. Do you have a friend who sees what you don’t? Could the
insight of a professional coach discover a new approach for you?
If you are stuck, in your work, or in your life, who might see the
way out?

Providing perspective is part of my work. I would be glad to serve
you.

————

Free preview!

My new workbook for writers is here. It’s called From Wishing to
Writing. Now you can download a free preview at
annaparadox.com/from-wishing-to-writing/

You can also order the plain vanilla version for $12. In October,
I will have the beautiful version, and the price will go up to $17.

————

Book Recommendation

The Musashi Flex by Steve Perry

Mourn is an aging duelist in the illegal but extremely popular
competition known as Musashi Flex. Duelists seek out other
registered fighters on the streets of an interplanetary
civilization. Beating a higher ranked fighter raises your rank.
Mourn has peaked near 20th, and feels it may be time to retire,
when he meets an ambitious reporter seeking to film the fights. He
saves her life, and as he teaches her to defend herself, she sees
something he had missed in his two decades of competition. As he
builds a new style around her insight, will it be enough to take
him to the top? Will it save his life against a ruthless
industrialist using a reflex-enhancing drug too new to be against
the rules? The Musashi Flex is a well-written, taut, and entertaining
read where more is at stake than first appears. It had been a few
years since I picked up a new Steve Perry, and I’m glad to say that
The Musashi Flex adds perfect pacing to his already great skill at
writing fight scenes.

————

We are smarter together! Please forward this newsletter to a
friend.

————

Creating Space is my twice-monthly newsletter. In my usual
fashion, I chose the name for more than one reason. One goal of my
newsletter and my coaching practice is to create a space that opens
new perspective on my clients’ lives. Another goal is to offer
information and support for creating a spacefaring civilization.
It will take many, many steps for humanity to leave the nest of
Earth. Better to take the steps we can than to despair at the size
of the project.

You can subscribe to Creating Space at
www.annaparadox.com/newsletter. And you can ask any questions you
have about my life coaching and editing services by calling me at
505-640-0979 or emailing me at anna@annaparadox.com.

I wish you the power of creating space.
Anna Paradox