1. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Primary Empathy in Newborns

2. PARADISE LOST? PRIMARY EMPATHY IN ONLINE COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST AND WAYS OF USE Niki Lambropoulos Interaction Design Consultant, Researcher * Intelligenesis Consultancy niki@lambropoulos.org nikilambropoulos.org

3. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Contents BACKGROUND  Locating Empathy  Example of Physical & Online Communities RESEARCH  The Studies  The Results  The Conclusions

4. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy What is Empathy? Does it exist in Online Communities? Automatic matching of the feelings of the other person (Fischer, 1980) Between people who identify similarities (Ickes, et al, 1993) Related to social skills (Goleman, 2004, Lawrence et, 2004) Discovery of mirror neurons supporting representations of an Object from a Subject (di Pellegrino et al, 1992; Rizzolati & Arbib, 1998) based on Lipps (1903) and McDugall (1908) Empathy is widespread in online communities (Preece & Ghozati, 2001)

5. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Emotional Intelligence-Based Theory of Performance (Goleman, 2004) Social Awareness  Empathy  Service orientation  Organizational awareness Criteria (role taking – communication skills)  comprehends another’s feelings  re-experiences the other person’s feelings  shares the other person’s feelings  help the other to feel better

6. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Self-Organised Learning by Observation in Social contexts (SOLOS online) C. Public Participation (Self-Actualisation, Motoric Reproduction - Overt Performances) 1.decision making 2.motoric response 3.embedded behaviour B. Socio-cultural Learning (Retention Processes) 1.retention 2.reflection A. Active Lurking (Attentional Processes) 1. awareness, 2. Empathy 3. trust (The Path of the Dragon) VL LPP

7. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Search for Empathy in Discussions and Use in Human Resources (Goleman, 2004) EI Competency: Empathy for building bonds and conflict management Leadership Style: Affiliative Impact On Climate: Highly positive Objective: Create harmony When Appropriate: To heal rifts in a team or to motivate during stressful times

8. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Example: Shaolin Kung Fu CoI - CoP

9. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Exploratory Study I Aim: how to participate publicly in an online dialogue? 25,000 users in TakingITGlobal (9-50 years old) Data were taken every week for a month by observation notes 1 st Phase: 13 participants (16-48 years old) 2 nd Phase: 6 old and 7 new 3 rd Phase: 2 public participants

10. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Exploratory Study I : Results A Discussion on Peace 5/10/01 – 23/7/03 2 moderators 346 members sent 2,850 messages 97% views 3% replies

11. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Exploratory Study I : Results B Levels of Activity 5/10/01 – 23/7/03 57% Low 18% Medium 25% High Potential Uncertain

12. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Exploratory Study I : Results D 2/13 (15,3%) developed empathy. These were the ones who decided to reply to messages

13. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Exploratory Study II: e-Mint E-Mint  BBC  Commkit  Ladomery  Neoone  Jindal  Tempero  Sulake  Tuc  Lts  Exmosis  Tagteacher  Habbo  Bibliotech  Chatmoderators  and more

14. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Exploratory Study II: e-Mint SNA – Discourse Analysis - Rebecca Role Taking – Communication skills  some of us may not have anything relevant to add and just want to learn  I'll again make a plug for the backbone of any successful community - the members  We build community one person at a time  It just means "putting the right person in charge of the right task and getting out of their way"  I don't think our two statements are mutually exclusive  some of us don't know how to share with a group  It's all okay with me. But I still believe everyone has something to share ;) Whether they do it or not is another matter... Becs (2% lurker, 98% yacker - that's a welcomed 2% in some circles - heh)  Sometimes, the only way to discover someone's brilliance is to spend time with them one-on-one * Volunteerism is connected to empathy (Downie, Clark, Clemenston, 2005)

15. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Exploratory Study II: e-Mint SNA – Discourse Analysis - Rebecca Social Network Analysis (SNA) depicts social relationships (Baroudi, et al., 1986)

16. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Conclusions The Empathic Leader is true Use the Sensitive Employees – Citizens Build groupz-ware to help and support online communities based on real time research. The Path of the Dragon: Recognise our potential and being able to respond (responsible)

17. Online Communities and Social Computing * Las Vegas 26.07.05 – 16:00-18:00 nikilambropoulos.org * Intelligenesis Consultancy Thank you… For your attention! Niki Lambropoulos niki@lambropoulos.org nikilambropoulos.org Any questions and/or suggestions?

18. Photo by Jennifer Risley