Definition of a Matter of Concern

What is a Matter of Concern?

Often, in approaching a creative undertaking, there is a tendency to begin by addressing a “problem” – something that has already been clearly defined and has a related solution space. This inevitably tends to overly narrow the space of possibilities before any experiment is underway. That said, it is important to have something at the beginning that helps ground and focus the experimental undertaking. As we begin engaging with an area of interest experimentally, we try to collaboratively and experimentally reframe this area of interest in a pragmatic manner that avoids the narrowing predefinition of “problems.”

We call this practice of generative early reframing: A Matter of Concern (or A Matter of Curiosity).

A Matter of Concern is a generative, open-ended, loose framing that animates our engagement with the world. Unlike a problem—which is a specific, structured approach to a situation—a matter of concern is a broader, more ambiguous issue that invites curiosity, care, and creative involvement.

With a Matter of Concern, it is not simply a question of focusing on a solution, but developing experimentally a living context that draws us in, co-shapes our actions, and evolves as we interact with it. Matters of concern are not fixed; they are dynamic, emergent, and inherently relational, requiring ongoing attention and participation.

A matter of concern is the underlying, often diffuse, issue or field that gives rise to specific problems, challenges, and opportunities. It is the background hum that calls forth our attention and engagement, providing the conditions for creativity and innovation. Problems are one way of organizing and approaching a matter of concern, but they never exhaust their potential. Matters of concern are shaped by, and in turn shape, the assemblages of relations—social, material, conceptual, historical—that constitute our worlds.

See Also: Problems, Paradigms, Propensities

Further Reading: Volume 84