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ICN Interview 1 ↺ Prompt 22 ↺ Response 1

Prompt​

This concept is multidimensional, and polycentric in nature. Another layer that needs to be considered is Values. There will be 7 Values. The seven letters that form the first letter of each word must make a word as an acronym that is easy, like PARTS and MMM

Generation 1​

Absolutely! Let's brainstorm a resonant acronym encapsulating the core values guiding the ICN, paying attention to both the individual words and the holistic message they convey.

Before we dive in, some things to consider:

  • Beyond Buzzwords: Values like "transparency" and "sustainability" are vital, but overused. Can we find more distinctive,甚至 provocative, terms that reflect the ICN's unique ambition?
  • Tension as a Tool: The values shouldn't just be aspirational. Can some be in productive tension with each other, reflecting the real-world tradeoffs the ICN navigates between, say, growth vs. equitable distribution?
  • A Call to Action: The acronym should be more than a mnemonic device. Ideally, it evokes a sense of shared responsibility and the power of collective endeavor.

Brainstorming Approaches:

  1. The "Values Collision":
  • Start with an exhaustive list of potential values (community, innovation, reciprocity, autonomy, resilience, etc.).
  • Look for clusters and opposites. Group terms that enhance each other (empathy + accountability) and those that create tension (adaptability + tradition).
  • Play with word order, aiming for an acronym that sparks curiosity and debate.
  1. The "ICN in Action":
  • Imagine specific scenarios where these values are tested: A Cell facing a lucrative but ethically questionable contract, a natural disaster disrupting supply chains, a brilliant but mercurial member destabilizing group dynamics.
  • What specific words describe the ICN's ideal response? These might be unusual for a values list - words like "resourceful," "disruptive," or even "stubborn".
  • From these action-oriented words, backtrack to the underlying values they represent.
  1. Metaphors and Mythology
  • Biology: Are there terms from the study of ecosystems, complex organisms, or evolutionary theory that embody the ICN's balance of competition and cooperation, resilience and responsiveness?
  • Myth and Literature: Can archetypal figures (The Reformer, The Guardian, The Trickster) inspire unusual value terms that still resonate with the ICN's mission?
  • Languages of Origin: The ICN has a global outlook. Could an acronym derived from a commonly used phrase in a language other than English add a layer of depth and hint at the ICN's commitment to inclusivity?

A Few "Bad" Examples to Get Us Started (and Why They're Bad)

  • CAREERS (Community, Accountability, Resiliency, Ethics, Equality, Respect, Service): Too generic, could apply to any well-meaning nonprofit.
  • THRIVED (Transparency, Humility, Resilience, Integrity, Vision, Empathy, Determination): Lacks tension, feels like self-congratulation.
  • SAPLING (Solidarity, Accountability, Participation, Longevity, Innovation, Nurturance, Growth): Cute, but doesn't capture the ICN's bold disruption of existing norms.

Ready to Brainstorm Together?

Let's start with a "Values Collision" exercise! Pick a potential crisis scenario (the morally questionable contract offer) and I'll throw out value-related words capturing the complexity of the ICN's decision-making process. From that messy list, maybe a potent acronym will emerge.