Press release from Lenoir-Rhyne University:
Wicked problems are social or cultural issues that are difficult or impossible to solve for a variety of reasons. They include challenges, such as poverty, homelessness, flooding, urban renewal, mental health, hunger, gentrification, and the list goes on. In addition, each community adds a layer of complexity due to cultural norms in that area. This makes it almost impossible to frame the challenge – an essential ingredient to problem-solving. According to Jon Kolko, Founder and Director of Austin Center for Design, researcher Horst Rittel claims there are several characteristics of these types of problems:
- Wicked problems have no definitive formulation.
- Solutions to wicked problems can only be addressed to improve a situation rather than solve it.
- There is no template to follow; Teams make things up as they go along.
- There is always more than one explanation for a wicked problem; it depends on perspective.
- Every wicked problem is a symptom of another problem; they are interconnected.
- There are no “one shot” solutions.
For the next two weeks, Lenoir-Rhyne University in Asheville is spotlighting wicked problems in the Asheville community. We want to start a conversation on making our community more resilient in the face of these pressing social and environmental challenges.
We start on Feb. 13 from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. with Grounds for Thought, a coffee to discuss how you and/or your organization will “make a difference” in the Asheville community for the week.
On Feb. 15 from noon to 1:00 p.m., we are hosting In-noon-vation, a brownbag lunch to explore and exchange ideas regarding wicked problems in the Asheville community.
Check out our wicked problem room display at the LRXchange at Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville, 36 Montford Avenue, 2nd floor. Let’s join together and “give voice” on wicked problems.
Difficulty is Irrelevant in Light of Possibility. If possible, the solutions may present. Impossibility is most often brought by self-fulfilling prophecy used to indicate virtuous intention: To receive the social perception of activist, without ever actually acting… that time making pity-full excuses, watching netflix, and continuing the social media image campaign could have been used to make the world a better place.
May I attend this meeting or not – I sincerely hope you sincerely seek solutions, I hope these well considered actions bring benefit to the lives of our community for generations.