On this page you will find a brief introduction with pointers for conducting a group discussion, as well as the guided questions.
Discussion Lead Conduct
Dear Discussion Leads,
Firstly, we would like to thank you for taking on the important role of conducting interviews to educate young people about decentralized decision-making and governance in web3. As interviewers, it is crucial to maintain a professional and respectful demeanor at all times. This includes actively listening to the interviewee, avoiding interruptions, and using appropriate language and tone.
To help you conduct effective interviews, we have designed an interview guide below that covers key topics and questions related to decentralized decision-making and governance in web3. Here are five important pointers to keep in mind when using the guide:
Prepare in advance: Familiarize yourself with the interview guide and do some research on the topic to ensure that you have a good understanding of the subject matter. This will help you ask insightful questions and engage in meaningful conversation with the interviewee.
Be flexible: While the interview guide provides a structure for the conversation, it is important to be flexible and adapt to the flow of the conversation. Allow the interviewee to share their thoughts and experiences, and be prepared to probe further if necessary.
Stay neutral: As an interviewer, it is important to remain neutral and avoid expressing your own opinions on the topic. Your role is to facilitate a conversation and gather information, rather than advocating for a particular point of view.
Be aware of time: Keep track of time and ensure that you cover all the key topics in the interview guide. Be mindful of the interviewee's time and avoid going over the allotted time.
Take notes: Take detailed notes during the interview, capturing key points and quotes from the interviewee. This will help you accurately summarize the conversation and identify key takeaways.
When conducting interviews, it is important to look out for any biases or assumptions that may influence the conversation. Be aware of your own biases and strive to create a safe and inclusive space for the interviewee to share their thoughts and experiences. Additionally, be mindful of any technical jargon or complex concepts that may be difficult for young people to understand, and strive to explain them in a clear and concise manner.
Thank you for your time and effort in conducting these interviews. We are confident that your contributions will help educate and inspire young people to learn more about decentralized decision-making and governance in web3.
Discussion Setup
Planning and Preparation
Obtaining Consent: Ensure that you have proper consent from legal guardians if the participants are minors. Provide clear information about the purpose of the interview and how the footage will be used.
Venue selection: Choose a comfortable, ideally soundproof space with good lighting. Ensure that the location is accessible and most importantly free from outside distractions.
Technical Setup
Camera Setup
Type: Use a camera with high resolution (1080p or higher). DSLRs or mirrorless cameras are ideal, but modern camcorders or high-quality smartphones can also work.
Framing the Shot: Position the camera to capture the entire group. A wide-angle lens can be helpful if space is limited.
Secondary Angles: Consider having a second camera for different angles, like close-ups or side views.
Audio Setup
Microphones: Use lapel (lavaliere) microphones for each participant if possible. Otherwise, overhead boom microphones can work.
Sound Check: Test the audio levels before starting. Ensure there is no echo or background noise.
Lighting Setup
Natural Light: Utilize natural light from windows when possible.
Artificial Lights: Set up three-point lighting (key, fill, and backlight) to ensure faces are well-lit and shadows are minimized.
Background and Environment
Simple Background: Use a clean, clutter-free background. Neutral colors work best.
Comfort Items: Provide chairs, water, and any items that might make the participants feel at ease.
Privacy and Ethical Considerations
Private Space: Ensure the recording area is private and secure to maintain confidentiality.
Participant Comfort: Explain the recording process to the participants. Allow them to express any discomfort or preferences regarding the setup.
Data Security: Store the footage securely. Use passwords and encryption to ensure privacy.
Engagement: Keep the interview dynamic. Encourage participants to speak freely and interact with each other.
Monitoring: Be attentive to participants' body language and adjust the setup or approach if needed to maintain comfort.
Technical Monitoring: Keep an eye on the camera and audio levels throughout the interview.
Anonymization: If necessary, blur faces or distort voices to maintain anonymity.
Final Tips
File Management: Save the recordings in a secure location immediately after the interview.
Backup Equipment: Always have backup cameras, microphones, batteries, and storage media.
Respect and Sensitivity: Be patient and respectful, understanding that young participants may need time to feel comfortable.
Discussion Guidelines
Decision-Making / Governance
In what content do young people encounter decision-making/governance?
Can you think of a time you had to make a decision with your friends or classmates? How did you decide what to do?
Have you ever felt like you didn't have a say in a decision that affected you? How did that make you feel?
What do you think is the most important thing when it comes to making decisions with others?
Can you think of a situation where you had to compromise with someone? How did you handle it?
What do you think is the most important thing for a group of people to agree on?
What do you know about how decisions are made in your school or community?
Decentralised Decision-Making / Governance
What changes systematically through decentralisation?
Can you think of an example where power is shared among many people? Do you think all decisions will benefit all people?
Can you think of a challenge or problem that you or your friends have faced in your school or community?
Can you think of an example where having more people involved in decision-making would be helpful? What would be challenges or drawbacks or involved many people in a decision?
Can you think of a time when you felt like you didn't have a voice in a decision? How did that make you feel?
Can you think of a situation where you wanted to make a change, but didn't know how to do it? How did you handle it?
What do you think is the most important thing about making decisions with other?What changes systematically through decentralisation?
Decentralised Technologies 1 (broad)
How does technology impact the (decentralised) decision-making/governance?
How do you think technology could be used to address the challenge or problem you identified earlier?
How do you currently use technology to make decisions with your friends or classmates (e.g. chats, polls, shared documents)? Do you think these methods are effective?
What are some potential benefits and challenges of using technology for shared decision-making? Think about your previously mentioned use-cases.
Do you think technology can support people with working together as a team?
Decentralised Technologies 2 (focused)
How do you think technology could help people who are not in the same physical location make decisions together? For example, could it be used to hold virtual meetings, share information, cast votes, propose ideas.
Can you think of a way that technology could be used to make decision-making more transparent and accountable? For example, could it be used to track votes, share information and ideas, or provide feedback to decision makers.
Decentralised Technologies 3 (design)
Imagine you could create create an app/website/software etc. to help your school or community make decisions together. What features would you include?
How would you ensure that everyone has a fair say in the decision-making process through your app/website/software etc.?
What challenges might you face in getting people to use and trust the app for decision-making?
Decentralised Technologies 4 (governance large scale)
How might technology change the way governments and communities make decisions in the future? Do you think it will be based on technology or other methods (town halls, paper ballots, discussions)?
What are some potential benefits and risks of using technology for governance on a larger scale? How would you deal with communities who have no access to technology?
If you were in charge of designing a technology-based governance system for your country (like your app-idea but much larger scale), what principles would you care about the most and prioritize (e.g. transparency, security, accessibility)?
