Learning objective
Move from solo thought to pairs, fours and plenary to widen participation before synthesis.
Why it matters
An open meeting lets early or senior speakers set the answer before others think.
Core concept
A short invitation is answered alone, then in pairs, then in fours, then shared with the whole group. Time boxes and independent starts make more perspectives visible, but the format does not itself grant decision rights.
Scenario
A city planning workshop on bus route changes has sixty participants. A few officials dominate while night-shift riders are quiet.
Worked decision
Ask what journey would become impossible, gather solo and small-group input with an accessible written channel, then feed distinct harms into the route decision record.
Decision rule
Share selectively and record next decisions and dissent.
Ethical boundary
Treating airtime as equal influence or using plenary synthesis to erase minority harm.
AI lens
Use AI to organize evidence, then verify its source and keep decision authority with people.
Quick check
What would invalidate the first proposed action? Treating airtime as equal influence or using plenary synthesis to erase minority harm.
Next step
Complete the 1-2-4-All case.