Take a quick glance at one of the Occupy Berkeley movement’s daily general assembly meetings and you might find yourself looking at what appears to be a group of people flashing spirit fingers.

But the protesters are not engaging in any type of cheer or dance; they are simply going about their normal process of discussing and deciding on proposals.

The group utilizes a system of hand signals as a democratic process for making decisions during meetings. The jazz hands-like movement of the fingers is the group’s way of taking a “temperature check.”

As its name implies, a temperature check allows facilitators of the meetings to get a general consensus on how people feel before an actual decision is made. Participants either raise their hands in the air and wiggle their fingers to show that they consent, or put their hands down and wiggle their fingers if they disagree.

They can also block proposals from passing by making a cross with their arms in front of their chest, signifying the need for further discussion on a topic.

Assembly facilitator and UC Berkeley junior Bo-Peter Laanen said the system is more democratic because everyone gets a chance to share their opinions before a decision is made.

“That’s something we don’t really see in the process that’s in Congress,” Laanen said.  “Anyone’s voice can be heard no matter how much money you have.”

Passersby might also notice what looks like a typical “repeat after me” game, with members of the audience repeating verbatim what one speaker says in a general chorus. This is what the group calls a “mic check,” which participants have the option to utilize to make sure the crowd can hear what is being said.

The group utilizes other hand signals as a part of its discussion process as well. If participants feel that someone is speaking off topic, they can send a “traveling” signal to a facilitator by rotating their hands around each other in a circular motion. Making a diamond shape with the hands indicates the need for clarification on a topic being discussed.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5FQFwLH92s&w=560&h=315]

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