Soovitation

Soovitation is a neologism used in some online and academic discussions to describe a form of invitation that aims to foster participation, collaboration, or commitment through aspirational, values-aligned framing rather than coercion or transactional pressure. Because the term has no widely accepted definition, its meaning varies by context and author.

Origin and usage: The coinage appears in scattered glossaries of contemporary rhetoric and participatory design, with no single origin or authority. Some sources treat it as a blend of “so-” suggesting social or supportive intent and “invitation,” while others emphasize it as signaling a voluntary, ethically framed invitation. There is no universal agreement on its precise scope or boundaries.

Definition and features: Common elements include consent-based engagement, transparent intent, and opt-in participation. A soovitation typically invites individuals to contribute time, ideas, or resources by appealing to intrinsic motivations and shared values rather than pressure or obligation. It often employs future-oriented framing, storytelling, and collaborative goals to motivate voluntary involvement while preserving autonomy.

Contexts and examples: In community projects, a soovitation might be a public call inviting participants to propose goals and pledge specific, voluntary commitments with mechanisms for feedback and revision. In design or organizational settings, it can describe invitations to test or co-create under ethical guidelines, prioritizing mutual benefits and informed consent.

Relation to related terms: It is distinct from solicitation, which can carry transactional or coercive connotations; from invitation, which is neutral; and from persuasion, which may seek to change beliefs or attitudes. The term remains informal and contested, lacking formal definition or broad consensus.

See also: invitation, solicitation, persuasion, participatory design.