A few days ago I posted, in the midst of the FNB Crime Letter Saga, how I had perceived an increase in crime within my own social network. I know see some voices emerging who, despite the proliferation of crime, are being bold enough to maintain a position of hope around South Africa and the prospects for our nation. Examples that stand out are Christof Appel (and his experience informed perception), Nic Haralambous (and his awesome project SARocks), and Dave Duarte (and his lesson in Social Media Marketing).

These voices remind me of some lessons from group processes:

Firstly, when working with a group who are in the midst of some dire circumstances, the group seems to "self-correct" on the negativity and assume a position of hope. It is as if the group is reluctant to leave itself in a position void of hope. So, while the social stance on crime is pretty dire, the "group" is reluctant to stay here and thus voices of hope are sifting through the chaotic mire of negativity.

Secondly, from a narrative group process perspective, dominant stories tend to subjugate any alternative stories - any alternative positions held by a person or group that swim upstream of the dominant take on things are thwarted. Something special needs to happen for the alternative story to gain some headway and gain more airplay. These "hope voices" are examples of alternative stories that are emerging on the state of South Africa despite the majority stance on crime.

Thirdly, from a systemic point of view, a system tends to alternate between two feedback states: reinforcing or balancing. A reinforcing feedback process is engine of growth, and a balancing process is one whereby the status quo is trying to be maintained. And so, for a long time now the social discourse on crime has been a reinforcing process (along with the systemic growth of crime in the country). What is now emerging is a balancing process that is trying to curb the growth of the negative discourse through the voices of Christof, Dave and Nic (in the online space at least - the true status probably should be measured over what gets said over a beer standing around the braai).

Pic courtesy of Trondjs - even in the midst of a barren snow, the light shines through. These are our voices of hope, the alternative, balancing effects of a hope that won't be subdued.