Summary

Research Network on Catalytic Imagery for governance in impossible situations (Part #17)

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Many documents of fundamental importance to societies, organizations and groups (or even to an individual's creative processes) are based on sets of principles, values, qualities, policies, initiatives or other points (eg declarations, charters, action plans). These are usually listed out as a numbered sequence, possibly with sub-points. The conventional method of producing such documents favours linear thinking at a time when non-linear, contextually-oriented approaches are often believed to be more appropriate to ensure higher levels of integration amongst the elements of the set. A number of computer-based text "outliners" are now widely available to facilitate production of such hierarchically structured documents.

This proposal suggests the need for a computer-based structural "outliner" to facilitate a non-linear approach to the creative production of such "conceptual keystones". The need for a more integrative approach may be seen in the occasional efforts to group conceptual elements into a table, a pie-chart, a diagram, or even into a form of mandala. In each case the structure is seen as providing the integrative perspective that links a variety of disparate, but complementary, elements that together ensure the viability of the larger pattern.

It is envisaged that the proposed PC-based structural outliner would be used in a manner somewhat similar to the conventional text outliners. However the software would offer many ways of configuring the evolving set of elements within a variety of non-linear structural frameworks, whether in two or three dimensions. The geometric and symmetric properties of these would be used to suggest levels of coherence and integration absent from conventional presentations.

User approaches

The user would be offered a number of ways of building up the conceptual "keystone". In each case, the result would take the form of a geometric (and normally symmetrical) structure in two or three dimensions with elements of text attached to its features:

• Text points (to be converted via template or rules into structure)
• User chosen
  • tiling as in Wordperfect tables (to be converted)
  • empty library shape (to be filled)
  • filled library shape (to be edited / altered)
• User drawn
  • shape (to be filled)
  • mind map (to be optimized into a shape or structure)

Structural templates

The user would be able to draw upon a library of structures and symmetric designs:

• Library of conventional structures
• Tables (Matrices) in 2D and 3D
• Polygons
• Polyhedra
• Library of other structures
• Tensegrities
• Traditional forms (mandalas, etc)

Text processor

Two main modes can be envisaged:

• Attach text to directly to structural features (and move text items between structural locations)
• Convert text (outliner) points into features (lines, sides, volumes, great circles) of selected shapes

Both of these exist in simpler form in conventional text outliners

Thesaurus links

The thesaurus would be designed to provide facilities beyond those usually provided by such a function.

• Complements: Its main function would be to facilitate selection of complementary sets of terms, depending on the size of the set with which the user was working. With respect to a single element set, the synonym function is all that is called for. As usual, synonyms and antonyms are required for what amounts to two element sets. But what is also required is the ability to process items in 3-part, 4-part sets.
  
  
• Broader / Narrower: The thesaurus would also be used to enable identification of terms corresponding to broader or narrower terms, especially the contextual terms appropriate to the set as a whole.
  
  
• Traditional sets: This feature would enable users to browse relevant traditional sets of differing numbers of elements corresponding to the size of the set being worked (tertiaries, quaternaries, etc).
  
  
• Academic sets: This feature would offer access to sets elaborated in contemporary academic studies.
  
  
• User modified: The user would of course need to be able to amend the thesaurus in the light of specialized interests and evaluation of the library versions. The user would build up a library of complementary sets reflecting his/her specialized concerns and sense of the balance between the elements.

Restructuring (by rules, by library, or by indications)

• Text reveal / hide: This feature would suppress or reveal the text associated with particular structural features.
  
  
• Structure hide / nest / pack / simplify: This feature (as in text outliners) would be used to conceal levels of detail. In the case of complex structures, this would be achieved by a transformative reduction to a simpler structure (eg from a complex polyhedron to a simpler polyhedron). This reduction would conceal the text associated with the suppressed detail.
  
  
• Structure reveal / unpack / complexify: This feature would unfold levels of structural detail. A simple structure could thus be unfolded (from a simple polyhedron to a complex polyhedron). This could follow a previously chosen transformation pathway or offer transformative options at each stage. In an edit mode, text could then be input directly (or called in from the thesaurus) into the different facets of the revealed structure.

Other features:

• Optimize existing
• Duals
• Propose alternatives
• Indicate complementaries
• Switch from 2D to 3D presentation
• Rotation
• Contextualize
• Potential complementaries
• Structural families / periodic tables
• User additions / indications

Indexing / Access

• Text to structured
• Templates
• User additions to index
• Structural relationships (via features or globally)
• Common keywords (via index)
• Geometrical similarities / isomorphisms
• User indicated associations

Applications

The major emphasis in each of the following cases is to enable the user to articulate a complex pattern whilst maintaining a sense of coherence and ensuring a configuration of functional checks and balances.

• Functional units in organizations
• Organization chart
• Complementarity and balance of functions
• Lines of communication
• Principles in a declaration
• Articles
• Complementarity and balance of principles
• Action plan or policy
• Policy elements
• Highlighting policy integration
• Classification system (books, information, etc)
• Filing codes
• Tracking disparate interests
• Mind mapping
• Clarifying systems
• Creativity
• Philosophical organization
• Integrating incoherent patterns
• Exploring structural transformation pathways
• Introduction of new elements
• Restructuring (simplification / complexification)

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