United Communities of Spirit

COMMON FACTOR

A Database Communications Network

Introduction and Overview

Bruce Schuman
ORIGIN Research, origin@silcom.com
PO Box 23346, Santa Barbara, CA 93121, (805) 965-0366
http://www.silcom.com/~origin/cf.html
February 19, 1996

COMMON FACTOR is a new multi-purpose Internet database system with a "web" interface. In essence, the system works by accepting detailed input from participants through the web, entering that information into the database, where it can be searched and sorted, and used to "target" a very wide range of communications applications.

The interface to the system takes the form of a series of detailed questions to which participants are free to respond. Information entered in response to these questions provides information useful to other participants, who are free to search the database looking for individuals or groups that conform to a specific set of criteria.

Any reason that human beings have to search for one another, to come together in groups, or to establish consensus, can be mediated through the Common Factor system.

A PERSONAL CONTROL PANEL FOR A VAST COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE

As we envision the growth of this system, we are supposing that the data entered by participants can define a highly detailed profile of their personal preferences, opinions, and interests. This information is entered into our database by the users of our system in any way they like, and they are free to change it any time they like.

This personal profile can be understood as a "communications control panel". By entering precise data on your interests and opinions, you provide information by which other people can contact you -- if you wish to give them that option.

You can describe anything about yourself you like, including or excluding whatever you wish. You can make this information available to other persons who might wish to communicate with people fitting your "demographic profile" -- or you can choose not to make this information available. You can choose to receive e-mail communications targeted to you, or choose not to receive them. And you can send such communications, to groups of users meeting precise criteria that you define.

MULTI-DIMENSIONAL "ELECTRONIC VOTING"

Common Factor can be understood as a "polling" system. It asks respondents detailed questions on issues of current public concern, and correlates that data. In this sense, a response to a Common Factor poll is analogous to "casting an electronic vote". Of course, this system as yet has no direct political impact, but polling is an important feature of contemporary politics, and it is reasonable to suppose that an Internet-based polling system could become a significant factor in real-world politics.

Our electronic polls have many advantages over current forms of "voting". We offer a wider array of choices, and deal with a wider array of subjects. And we are devising ways that participants can "write in" their own choices, when they feel our multiple- choice alternatives are inadequate.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC TRANSACTIONS

This general technology has a very wide range of applications, that extend across the entire spectrum of human activities. It includes business and economic transactions, since the system can mediate any sort of "want ad", involving "for sale" or "wanted", employer/employee contacts, housing, etc. Any product for sale can be listed, and anyone searching for such products can find them. In a large database, a vast catalog could emerge to mediate buyer/seller connections. Anyone with business skills to sell can "look for a job" (or a customer/client) through this system. Anyone with a product for sale can describe it, and customers can search for products meeting that description.

LINKS TO "EXTERNAL" INFORMATION

Because data is entered into this system through the web, it is possible to define highly precise search criteria in the Common Factor database that link to a "hot" URL, or link to an external data file or website. If you have a product for sale, or a project you wish to make public, you can describe it in as much detail as you wish, then provide a URL that connects to your site, providing further detail.

INTERPERSONAL CONNECTIVITY

The system can also mediate any sort of interpersonal relationships, as a form of sophisticated global-scale "computer dating". People today can now casually meet one another on the Internet. But through Common Factor, they can define a detailed personal profile of themselves, or the person they are looking for, in ways that insure that the people they meet are suitable. A person can describe themselves in hundreds of details, or describe a person they are looking for in such detail, and the database can search for the best match. This data can be quite secure and private, and the greater the detail, the less likely it is that "wrong" connections will be made. And someone can enter a detailed description of themselves that points not to a direct connection, but to an "external" URL, where much greater personal detail, including pictures, is provided.

COALITION DEVELOPMENT

Common Factor is essentially a "polling" system. It collects detailed information from people, on any topic that interests them, with the objective of making it possible for other people to find them, or to build interconnectivity with them. Hence the Common Factor system is ideal for the development of political coalitions. Detailed polling data can define personal opinions and positions on a wide range of political issues with exact precision, and the database search features can determine exactly which persons in the system share common values or beliefs on these issues. Common factors identified in the political beliefs of a large group of people can define the core platform of a political coalition, and can define ways that this political coalition can accommodate the widest array of people, who share an approximate set of values in common on many issues, but who may differ significantly from "the norm" on others.

But the implications of this polling system are not limited to political coalitions. The data can also be used to organize "spiritual" or religious coalitions or alliances as well. People who may belong to different faith or religious traditions may well find that they have many "factors in common" with members of other traditions, with which they are not familiar. This can be useful for the "healing of the social fabric", as well as a powerful tool in the formation of cross-cultural political and religious alliances. In the context of contemporary American politics, where religious coalitions such as the Christian Coalition and the Interfaith Alliance are playing an increasingly significant role, this new technology could potentially evolve into a significant political force.

CONSENSUS DEVELOPMENT

The systematic development of "consensus" on a complex issue, or set of related issues, is readily facilitated through the Common Factor system. "Consensus" can be defined as agreement among a group of people or institutions on a set of principles or positions. Such consensus can be instantly identified by the database search logic as it reviews the polling data entered there. To "establish consensus" on a particular point, a user simply requests that the database search the data for all persons and institutions who have taken a certain position. Or, if the consensus required involves more than one simultaneous issue, they can search the logic for participants who have taken a set of specific positions. The logic can return the complete list of such persons, complete with their names and e-mail addresses.

A "consensus document" can readily be developed, since such a document, embodying the stated positions, can be electronically mailed to the group of participants taking these common positions, to be returned with their signature.

AD HOC MAILING LISTS ON ANY SUBJECT

The mailing system features of the Common Factor network make it possible to create an instant ad hoc mailing list targeted to any sort of demographic group. A participant can define a specific "target audience" by selecting from the full array of Common Factor variables, and direct that his/her mailing be sent to the target group fitting this profile.

A participant can select the level at which they wish to receive mailings from the system, and on what subjects. If you don't wish to receive such email, you have that option. You can choose a low index of selectivity, and be targeted for a large amount of less selectively targeted mail. Or you can choose a high index of selectivity, and be targeted for a lower volume of highly specific mail.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q Why should I participate in the Common Factor system?

A If you want to communicate to the world, or sell something, or find something, or meet somebody special, or become involved with a group that thinks like you, Common Factor can put you in touch with those special people.

Q But I don't want my personal data made public.

A You have complete control over all data you enter into the system. You control what the data is, and whether it can be accessed by other people. And you can change it any time you like.

Q Your system seems to require that I choose from among predetermined multiple-choice categories. What if my choice is "none of the above"?

A We are working to devise ways to overcome this rigidity. One approach involves providing ways that participants can create new categories, by submitting them to us for inclusion among the options. And another method involves the new science of "fuzzy logic", which deals with rigid options by blurring or "fuzzing" them into more flexible alternatives.

Q Your system seems to have a great many applications. You are talking about politics and economics and religion all at the same time, in the same system.

A Any topic that is of interest to human beings can be communicated through the Common Factor network. In the real world, these factors are closely interrelated and interdependent, and we keep them separate only because our minds cannot handle the complexity. But the Common Factor database system can handle the complexity, and it can solve problems that overwhelm other more traditional approaches.

Q What if I have a project I want to develop that involves creating consensus, or building an alliance? Can I use your system?

A Absolutely yes. That's why we created it. and if you like, you can help us define further polling questions, targeted to your specific audience or participants. We'll help you write the questions, provide you with the HTML forms you need, and help you publicize your work.

Q What about the fact that most people aren't on the Internet? Doesn't your system reach a pretty narrow group of people?

A For now, that is true. But there are something like 40 million people on the Internet, and 9 million on the web. We can reach all the web users today. And if this system grows, we can devise other means to interface into the database. There are voice telephone interfaces, for example, that make it possible to "talk to" the database, entering or receiving information. And there are, of course, ways to enter data into a database that are based on print. We are exploring these possibilities.