I’m a bit of a geek.  I love technology and gadgets and the web and often start my workday with a quick scan of what’s new out there for folks interested in conflict, resolution and negotiation.  Try these sites for learning, sanity and entertainment:

The martial art Aikido incorporates a number of conflict resolution principles and many have written about the connection between the practice of Aikido and improved dispute resolution skill.  But Body, Mind & Modem [update: site no longer available] is the first website I’ve seen that introduces you to the key principles of Aikido using technology to inform and guide.  There’s a lot to sample on the home page and I particularly recommend scrolling down to “Cool Ki Tricks.”

The recent press about violent video games got me on the web looking for what else is out there.  I haven’t been a gamer since the advent of Asteroids (and even then my 4-year-old nephew beat me consistently), so the search for quality was a challenge for me. I turned up Pax Warrior, which describes itself as an “engaging way to learn history, civics, citizenship, social studies and current events.” It’s still in beta release and is designed for the 14-21 age range.  Using the U.N.’s response to the Rwandan genocide, the game invites students to exercise their individual judgment and decision-making to explore peace, diplomacy and complex decision-making.  It’s getting some good reviews and kudos from peacemakers worldwide.

The Washington Post called Our Family Wizard "an online link to sanity" for families of divorce. Originally designed as a site to help parents with joint custody manage the scheduling complexities of separate households, Our Family Wizard now also serves any family that could benefit from its organizational tools. The website facilitates "interactive family scheduling and information management. It allows you to quickly store and access important family information."  The program’s been around for several years and has begun to be used widely in the divorce mediation process.

On a related note, there’s a new game due for release this month, designed to help the children of divorce.  Earthquake in Zipland has an interactive site clearly aimed at children.  I haven’t seen much in the way of reviews yet but it looks promising.

One of the best little guides to consensus-building is one I bought years ago: On Conflict and Consensus. So I was delighted to learn recently that the author, C.T. Butler, has posted the same material on the web. If you want a nice overview of consensus-based decision-making or want a refresher on formal consensus process, you’ll find this web page easy to navigate and full of gems.

Years ago, a grad school professor implored me and my fellow students to widen our vocabulary for emotions. I can’t recall why it came up but I know she’d be pleased to see the Center for Non-Violent Communication’s Feelings Inventory. If you’re looking for a way to express a feeling and want something more than sadness, anger or frustration, this site will have any feeling you can imagine.

And for a little fun and wisdom at the same time, visit Creative Think.  When you click on the “give me another creative whack” button, you get a randomly generated page with some wisdom on creativity and seeing new possibilities.  I think it’s a real gem.

This article was originally published in my regular column for The Monadnock Ledger.