This brief note critically reflects on the challenges facing PRA and its potential to empower people. The main emphasis of the note is on integrating the methods of participation with the actual process of participation, rather than being carried away by the sophistication of tools thereby overlooking the implementation aspects.
Throughout history, people have framed their design and knowledge in patterns that are easy to memorise and repeat. Before the advent of "symbol literacy" (language and mathematics), traditional cultures used patterms to record information. The left side of the brain corresponds with symbol literacy, whereas the right side being holistic and involved with rhythm, colour and shape, is associated with pattern literacy.