Daniel Lindenberger

I had the distinct pleasure this past week of attending an awesome conference - in a manner of speaking.

I love my job. I'm lead programmer for Action-Ed, and I spend me time working on Civic Mirror, an videogame that is so much more than a videogame: A simulation in which high school classes become countries and have to work out their constitution, laws, political parties and elections all while providing for their families and wheeling and dealing in their country's economy.

Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of the Center for Nonviolent Communication, describes violent language as "the tragic expression of an unmet need".

One of his recommended steps towards compassionate communication is recognizing the difference between needs and strategies. And while his emphasis is on language and communication, the lesson extends into all manner of areas of life.