NEW SOCIAL VEHICLE
CORPORATE READING RESEARCH PROJECT
1. INCLUSIVE CONSTRUCT
The Corporate Reading Research Project is an unique
experiment in corporate mission on behalf of the whole Order and
the Movement. It is a construct through which many minds, though
spatially separated can do pure research together in a specific
problem area. If the experiment proves effective this Spring,
it will no doubt be a long range research design in our mission.
The immediate aim of the reading project is to provide data for
the Summer ' 71 Research Assembly. In addition it will create
the paramount instrument for the work of the Assembly itself.
The design calls for 400 or more Order members at
Base, in Religious Houses and Overseas Houses and Outposts, to
each read, or what we call "screen'), some two books on the
New Social Vehicle per month during this Spring Quarter. Each
book screening will be reported on a common form geared toward
the needs of the Research Assembly. The total number of books
read will be between one and two thousand. Hopefully, at least
500 of these will be of real significance to, and for, the Summer
Program.
This work will guide the Experimental and Permeation
Divisions at Base in devising the dynamics of the Research Assembly.
Furthermore, this project will provide a portfolio of 500 book
screenings relating to the New Social Vehicle which will serve
as a common "workbook'', for the participants in Summer '71.
This portfolio will assist in developing the common mind necessary
for the corporate effort, as well as make available to all, organized
data relating to the NSV.
11. SUMMER FORMAT
At this point the design of the Summer Research Assembly
is being held by four overall categories which are reflected in
the present model for the Reading Research Project and are indicated
in the following chart:
SUMMER '71: RESEARCH ASSEMBLY NSV
Forging the New Social Vision for our Times
WEEK I
Foundational
Social
Dynamics
Eco-Cul-Pol
WEEK II
Major
Human
Contradictions
Eco-Cul-PolWEEK III
Futuric
Practical
Proposals
Eco-Cul-PolWEEK IV
Inclusive
Utopian
Manifesto
Eco-Cul-Pol
The first category (Foundational Social Dynamics)
relates to the inner dynamic, or structure of the economic, cultural,
and political aspects of the social process. The social triangles
are being taken down to the 243 level and sentences are being
written on each. This work will be used in the basic training
of the Research Assembly during the first week.
The second category (Major Human Contradictions)
points to work that will be done on what we are now calling a
"global problemmat". It will be an effort to organize
in inclusive matrixes the problems or failures of the established
social machinery of the present world.
The third category (Futuric Practical Proposals)
is concerned with possible concrete solutions and ways of attacking
the inclusive problem areas. We call these ''proposals",
after JeanJacques ServanSchreiber in The Radical Alternative.
These are not tactics but more like planks in the vision of the
NSV.
The fourth category (Inclusive Utopian Manifesto)
indicates the images which paint a somewhat inclusive vision of
the world of tomorrow. These represent the new kind of Utopian
thinking that is going on today and will serve as background for
the writing of a manifesto on the NSV during the Research Assembly.
111. READING SELECTION
The reading list for the project will be collected
by the Order at large. Each member is responsible for sending
in to the Research Division at Base, the title, author, publisher
and publication date of any book or periodical article that they
now know about or discover during the quarter, that relates to
the New Social Vehicle. It is important to include a sentence
or so indicating what the book is about or how you see it as helpful.
Forms for forwarding this information will be distributed. It
is imperative that we all participate in this and begin immediately.
We need over 3000 such listings in all. This will not be an easy
task. It will mean disciplined effort. Look for top flight bibliographies
or interview acknowledged experts concerning the best writing
in their field.
The criteria for selection first of all has to do
with the above summer format: theory, problems, proposals, and
the vision. Secondly the criteria is organized by the basic categories
in the Fifth City model: Economic, Cultural, and Political. The
following chart shows the 4 X 4 that will catalogue the reading
list and hence determine book assignments. It will also organize
the NSV data and serve as the layout for the Portfolio.
CORPORATE READING RESEARCH PROJECT
CATALOGUING CHART
CULTURAL
ECO
EDUC
SYM
STYLE
POL
GEN102030405060SOCIAL 01
DYNAMICS
11
21
31
41
51
61PRESENT 02
CONTRADN
12
22
32
42
52
62PRACTICL 03
PROPOSAL
13
23
33
43
53
63FUTURIC 04
MANIFESTO
14
24
34
44
54
64
The twenty major categories will control the reading
list. Theyof course can be broken down further in many ways.
Already there are books and articles that can be divided into
terms such as contemporary or historical, fiction or nonfiction,
Western or NonWestern, etc. Obviously each box can be subdivided
in terms of the next level down in relation to the theoretical
construct. At the moment this is not necessary. The important
thing is that the books be either classical or edge presentations
with the stress on the latter. Here articles in technical or popular
periodicals may be our richest resource.
When filling out the book selection form classify
as best possible the book or article according to the designation
system on the chart. It may cover one category or several. It
would be most helpful when recommending an article, to send a
copy of it to the Research Division. From these forms the master
reading list will be devised from which the reading assignments
will be made. Furthermore these recommendations will be the beginning
of an extensive bibliography on the new society which can be at
the disposal of the whole Movement as it moves into the task ahead.
IV. READING METHOD
The aim of reading the selected books is to find
the substantial insights of an author relative to the summer's
intent and to record these for the data bank. This we call "Screening"
a book. Screening means taking a missional four-byfour and
combing a book with it. As one works on the book, his only interest,
and his only passion, is determined by his screen. In screening
a book ignore the ideas which the screen does not catch. On the
other hand record for the whole Movement what the screen catches
in the book. It's like fishing with a specially designed net,
or doing basic research for the writing of a thesis. The research
project is like writing a massive corporate term paper or a common
doctoral dissertation.
The summer intent and format comprises the screen
through which we will read our books. The screen of the first
level is given in the chart: 1. Social Dynamics, 2. Major Contradictions,
3. Practical Proposals, and 4. Inclusive Vision. On the second
level the screen is delineated by social categories in the 5th
City Model: Economic, Cultural, (Image, Symbol, Style and Political.
An additional category is labeled general which holds the more
comprehensive, visionary, utopian insights being forged in our
time.
In dealing with a book, one needs first to roughly
chart it. This can be done either through studying the table of
contents, or through sensitively feeling through the book. The
chart is the compass by which the reader is oriented. Then the
reader meditates on the screen until it is sharply in mind. Next,
always looking through the screen, he attempts to seek out the
crucial insights, that is, discerning the illuminating chapters,
sections or paragraphs. This will indicate where he will focus
both his attention and time.
Next, with the report form before him, he reads the
book: either intensively, if the book seems crucial and alive
in relation to the screen, or more superficially if the book is
not so directly related to the summer. Once again, he places special
emphasis on the crucial passages he has located. As the reader
goes through he makes notes relative to his report form and he
marks further key passages recording the page numbers. From these
passages he will sort out the quotations he wishes to include
in the final report.
V. REPORTING PROCEDURE
A common reporting system is necessary if such a
data bank and workbook is to be created . The reporting form must
obviously reflect the screen used in reading. Attached is a sample
of the form that will be sent in quantity to you in a future mailing.
A general guide sheet is also enclosed. Before reading a book
or article, fill in box I of the reporting form. It is especially
important to note the date you are preparing it, and to record
your name. Next classify the book according to the above cataloguing
chart. Then rate the book as: very important, important, fair,
or poor, according to our stated purposes. Do not hesitate to
send in reports on books rated "poor'', as we need to know
these were screened.
In box number 2 write a sentence on the basic thesis
or intent of the book. Then locate the key chapter, section, page,
or paragraph, indicating what they deal with in a sentence. What
is to go into boxes 3, 4, 5 and 6 ought to be fairly clear. Write
a paragraph of 100 words or more for each selecting the key ideas
of the author and presenting them specifically and concretely.
As you write, however, remember that you are out to persuade your
reader that these ideas are either crucial for the New Social
Vehicle or are to be guarded against at any cost. The margin categories
which comprise the screen suggest the content of each paragraph.
If, in some cases, the categories are not quite relevant to what
you think needs to be said, they may be changed. In every case
be specific and concrete, remembering that your audience probably
has not read the book.
Box 7 is the back of the page. Here put the simple
chart of the book, covering, in most instances, not more than
a third of the page. The rest of the page is for crucial quotations
from the book. In each case be sure to note the page number. Either
type these out or Xerox them. These quotations are extremely important.
They provide the concretion for your statements on the front page.
In some cases additional pages for the quotation will be needed.
From these reports the data bank to enable the summer will be
created. Very likely the portfolio or workbook for the summer
will contain something like the 300 to 500 most useful of the
reports.
VI. ASSIGNMENT PLAN
The work of assigning the books is a bit complex.
It is a matter of personal interest and skill, plus the necessity
of group assignments, plus a defined body of books that need to
be read. First of all let it be clear that if you have already
read a book that adds something to our objectives, look it over
again and fill out a report on it.
Secondly, if you come upon a book that deals with
the subject and it appeals to you, read and report on it. The
fact that there will be several reports on the same book is a
positive value. Such a selection will supersede the following
assignment format. But, Base needs to be notified of such changes.
Third, the 8 Base seminaries, the 20 Religious Houses,
and the 14 Intercontinental Houses and Outposts will be assigned
areas of reading along with suggested book lists. The assignment
of units to specific reading areas has been made somewhat arbitrarily
About the only criteria considered was spread, in order that we
may receive a broad base of reporting from across the world. The
following chart indicates the assignments.
CRRP - UNIT ASSIGNMENT CHART
ECO
DYNAMICEDUC
or IMAGERELIG
or SYMBOLSOCIAL
or STYLEPOL
DYNAMICGEN'L
VISIONBASE
SEM.SEM 1
SEM 7SEM 2SEM 3SEM 4SEM 5
SEM 8SEM 6
CONT
R.H.
NEW O
SEAT'L
CLEVD
MONTR
ATLNT
DETRT
SANFR
LOSAN
WASHN
CHICG
DENVR
N.Y.C.
ROCKF
OKLAN
BOSTN
MILWK
WINNG
HOUST
ROCHR
KANSC
100N
G.P.
MRSHI
TOKYO
SINGP
DJAKR
OSAKA
DERBY
TAIWN
PERTH
HONGK
MANLA
SYDNY
INDIA
KU.L.
SAMOA
EURPE
The various Outposts, Houses, and seminaries have
been assigned to read in certain areas in order that more specific
dialogue can take place within them. These units thereby can develop
a certain degree of expertise that can be used this summer. PSU's
might be considered toward the end of the Quarter in which the
general wisdom can be drawn together and forwarded to the Experimental
Division at Base. The units will assume responsibility of assigning
the particular books to its members and to hold them accountable
for the reading and reporting. The Prior, or someone appointed
by the Prior, should check the reports to see that they are well
written and adequately fill the assignment before sending them
to Base. All reports ought to be in by the third week in June
in order that the staff who lead the summer program may use this
in their preparation.
The overseas units will not be sent reading lists
in the hope that they will search out and read books and articles
that reflect thought beyond the North American or Western mind.
Hence even the column in which they appear is not to be taken
too seriously. They must also feel free to depart from the suggestion.
The important thing is that they send in their bibliographical
lists and indicate what they are reading and reporting on to the
Experimental Division.
VII. TIME DESIGN
Two weeks have been allotted to read and report on
one book. There are 10 reading weeks left in the Spring Quarter.
This means that each person will read five books. The important
matter is not that all of us read five books; it is rather that
we all participate. In the case of some individuals, fewer books
can be read; in other cases more than 5 can be covered. These
details can be worked out in the particular units.
To repeat above emphases, the bibliography suggestions
need to be forwarded to the Research Office immediately. Also,
throughout the quarter, whenever a new source is uncovered, it
needs to be turned in promptly. As for the screening reports,
they can be submitted weekly. For reasons given in the following
paragraph, each Wednesday would be a most appropriate time. This
kind of promptness is urgent because of the shortness of time
to get ready for the summer program. All reports ought to be in
by Sunday, June 21.
This Corporate Reading Research Program will be the
study program for the Order during the '71 Spring Quarter. At
Base every Tuesday, the whole body gathers at 5:00 A.M. in the
Great Hall for a study period. Each Tuesday evening they meet
at 6:00 P.M. in eight seminary units, to deal with and to account
for the reading. During this time, Base is also getting on top
of ServanSchreiber's book, The Radical Alternative, which
is important relative to NSV methodology. It is in the seminary
meeting that assignments are handed out and reports collected.
Base has also done experimenting with book reading in a PSU format
where each member reads and reports a book in one weekend. In
some cases this approach might prove most useful.
VIII. GESTALTING PROCEDURES
The Permeation and Experimental Divisions and the
Research Sector at Base will corporately assume responsibility
for gestalting and organizing the material collected from across
the Order. As indicated earlier the Research Sector will, continuously
throughout the quarter, refine the classification of the reading
suggestions gathered, aiming at a master reading list on the New
Social Vehicle for the Movement at large.
Relative to the screening reports, the Research Sector
will log them when they are submitted and pass them on immediately
to the Educational Sector of the Permeation Division. This sector
will first review the reports, check their classification, and
evaluate their relevance in relation to the Summer Assembly. They
will then glean from them information for the data bank for use
by the whole Permeation Division and the Experimental Division.
Lastly, they will edit the reports and, if there are several on
the same book weave them together in preparation for the summer
portfolio on the New Social Vehicle.
The Experimental Division has the responsibility
of coordinating the various groups involved in enabling the Research
Assembly. Relative to the reading program, it will make use of
the data bank in forging the theoretical formats for the summer,
as well as the operational models. Experimental will also use
the bank in designing the training program for the summer leadership
to be held during the last 2 weeks in June. Finally, their assignment
involves thinking through how the data and the bibliography and
the work can be of service to the Movement beyond Summer '71.
IX. CONCLUDING POSTSCRIPT:
It is obvious that this project has much broader
significance than getting ready for Summer '71. It is forging
a corporate methodology for pure research that has massive potential
for the Order and the Movement at large. Religious Houses, colleagues,
local congregations or any other smaller unit can use it, as well
as its being employable in principle upon a global scale.
The areas of knowledge to which it can be applied
in the future are almost unlimited. First of all, it will be extremely
useful in dealing with future work relating to the New Social
Vehicle, both on the level of the local church and the level of
world wide movement. But even more, it can be of crucial significance
for all our pioneering work in the future, whether it be the historical
order or whatever.
Since this quarter is given to designing the basic
methodological machinery, we expect that there will be many bugs
and mistakes. Our discipline will enable us not only to anticipate
these, but to embrace them. Since this is a corporate venture,
all of us ought to be sensitive to the flaws and concerned about
sharpening the procedures. Such insights should be forwarded to
the Permeation and Experimental Divisions at Base.
Finally, this instrument having been forged on the
discipline we have learned in the past, can of itself be a radical
step forward in corporateness. Not only can it be of service in
carrying out our mission but it may well be a means of furthering
our own local and global polity as well as influencing more subtle
arenas of our common life.