SGD was first developed in 1998 in conjunction with Web Lab to develop conversations around indie films. As we evolved it became evident that this style of online communication could be used to create and foster more honest conversations about a wide range of subjects. Some of the client funded discussions over the past 13 years have included the Clinton impeachment, MSNBC sponsored conversations during the days immediately after the 9/11 attacks, and a discussion on race relations built around the showing of the PBS film American Love Stories.

Most recently we've used SGD with the Smithsonian Museum of American History to enable dialogue centered on the tenth anniversary of 9/11. These conversations were the online component of an exhibition that displayed artifacts and recovered items from both the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The often intense and emotionally honest conversations powered by SGD provided personal insight into how Americans feel about the event ten years after.

In order to facilitate those types of discussions SGD creates an online dialogue environment with several unique characteristics.

• Rather than one large group we break our audience up into smaller assemblies. This helps in the formation of group bonds and the growth of trust among fellow participants.
• We provide a defined start and end time for each discussion. With this we eliminate the constant revolving door of audience members that often leads to confusion and flame wars in other forums.
• We lower the level of anonymity in each group and raise individual accountability while still maintaining a level of safety. And when you identify your fellow forum poster as a real person you begin to respect what they have to say.
• While we do give conversation starters via a new question each day, our forums eschew the use of moderators. Instead we encourage natural group dynamics and self-moderation that allows each group to feel ownership over their own conversations.
• Finally our proprietary forum technology is especially designed around the above concepts, enabling us to present a seamless experience.

SGD is available for licensing and is provided as a software as service. Want to learn more? Contact us.