On Apr 10, 2026 we had a research collective meeting focused on how we clarify (and evolve) the structure of the Second Renaissance Research Circle.
Structure (that was adopted): Research Circle (Collective) Pattern
Agenda
- Meditation
- Introduction: structure for the meeting
- Check-in and Brief Reflection from all
- Present the pattern Research Circle (Collective) Pattern [Shared]~~
- Purpose and governance
- A bit clearer about membership e.g. Lightweight annual renewal process for people to opt in
- Stewardship structure (Jonah and Rufus initially)
- Additionals Roles like the following (revolving with a 3-6 month agreement)
- Research Call facilitators
- Scribe and communicator
- Moving to a 2 weekly cycles for Research calls + People can propose their own sub-circles … - Open for comments, what kinds of sub-circles, if anyone wants to step up to stewardship role.
Notes from AI (warning: not checked)
Meeting Structure & Governance Changes
- Moving from weekly to biweekly Friday discovery calls
- Off-weeks available for subcircle meetings
- Annual membership review process to maintain active WhatsApp group (500+ members)
- Stewardship circle currently Rufus & Jonah, open to additional members
- Grandfathering existing WhatsApp members as official members
White Paper Analysis Subcircle Formation
- Bob volunteering to lead analysis of existing 5 Second Renaissance white papers
- Launch date: April 24th
- Process: Create one-page PDF proposal for WhatsApp/forum feedback
- Focus: Evaluate current validity, identify research gaps, spawn additional subgroups
- Ian expressing interest in participation
Research Program Development Ideas
- Rufus proposing structured research agenda subcircle
- Issue tree approach with systematic hypothesis investigation
- 3-month commitment, biweekly meetings
- Bob’s modernity analysis as example contrasting perspective
- Need for more specific research programs beyond high-level questions
Knowledge Management & Distribution
- WhatsApp for short posts/links (1 paragraph max)
- Forum for longer analytical content
- White papers for 30+ page research
- Margaret suggesting cybernetic viable system model for organization
- Community gardening role needed for cross-platform curation
Subcircle Framework
- Template includes deliverables, outputs, format specifications
- Time-limited charters (3-12 months)
- Expected feedback to main group meetings
- Open to groups forming outside Friday time slots
- Integration with existing academic/external collaborations
Operational Roles Needed
- Discovery call facilitators (currently only Jonah)
- Content scribes for YouTube/forum posting
- Guest speaker coordination
- Time-limited rotational commitments (3-6 months)
Research Themes & Interests
- Cultural evolution and AI impact (Jonah)
- Social imaginary dynamics (Margaret)
- Consciousness-based transformation capacity (Daniel)
- Post-capitalist money design reading group (Bob)
- Unified logic systems for knowledge integration (Rasmus)
- Metacrisis response strategies (David)
Next Steps
- Bob creating white paper analysis proposal by April 24th
- Jonah updating biweekly schedule and sharing conclusions in WhatsApp
- Members to propose additional subcircle ideas
- Outreach for operational role volunteers
- Forum architecture documentation for knowledge repository