Design considerations and possible implications

Designing Global Self-governance for the Future (Part #2)

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Fig. 7 uses Fibonacci spiral construction as a fundamental design metaphor within which to relate disparate strategic frameworks. The argument is that the pattern is significant to natural order and is therefore a probable approximation to what may prove of value to social design.

Fig. 7: Reduced version of Fig. 3 (in introductory paper) not including links from portions of the diagram to explanatory commentaries

The approach is partially inspired by the work of Christopher Alexander (Notes on the Synthesis of Form, 1964, A Pattern Language, 1977, and The Nature of Order, 2003-4), especially his current research emerging from that context (Harmony-Seeking Computations: a science of non-classical dynamics based on the progressive evolution of the larger whole, International Journal for Unconventional Computing (IJUC), 2009; New Concepts in Complexity Theory: an overview of the four books of the Nature of Order with emphasis on the scientific problems which are raised. 2003). As discussed separately, of particular interest is Alexander's focus on "geometrical adaptation" (Harmony-Comprehension and Wholeness-Engendering: eliciting psychosocial transformational principles from design, 2010).

Given Alexander's own strong interest in carpet design, the strategic need has been separately articulated in terms of "magic carpets" as a design metaphor appropriate to a knowledge society (Interweaving Thematic Threads and Learning Pathways: Noonautics, Magic carpets and Wizdomes, 2010; Magic Carpets as Psychoactive System Diagrams, 2010). In this sense Fig. 7 can be considered as one approach to the design of such a "magic carpet" through its assembly of disparate arenas by which people are variously moved, whether for interpersonal relations, recreation, competition, gambling or decision-making in governance.

Packing and tiling: Whilst packing (set packing, sphere packing) and tiling (tessellations) are well-recognized design preoccupations, both with a considerable mathematical literature, their relevance to social design does not appear to have been extensively explored. A case have however been separately made for their relevance to many territorial disputes, most notably in the Middle East (And When the Bombing Stops? Territorial conflict as a challenge to mathematicians, 2000).

Fig. 8a: Spiral tiling using a single piece Presented in the MathWorld entry on tiling [from the cover illustration of Branko Grünbaum and G. C. Shephard, Tilings and Patterns, 1987].

The design of sudoku and crossword puzzles, as with carpet design, highlights distinctions between overall pattern and details. Alexander comments extensively on the 15 transformations or properties associated with the most powerful carpet designs. The question is how these may be understood with respect to governance (Comprehending Alexander's transformation principles within the psychosocial realm, 2010).

In designing the Fibonacci-based pattern (Fig. 7), the constitutive sub-elements pack fully only to a degree. Options have been chosen to "fit" larger and smaller patterns together to create a meaningful whole as represented above. Others could have been selected. Indeed, as argued below, the pattern appropriate to a magic carpet design may need to be essentially dynamic, namely involving a degree of alternation between such options. This is perhaps appropriately reminiscent (at the cognitive level) of the integrity of resonance hybrids at the molecular level -- as exemplified by the benzene molecule fundamental to organic molecules. Such animation may be used to reflect appropriately the alternation between yin and yang representations.

Also of relevance to the approach to such design may be the playful challenge popularised by packing games like Tetris (and its variants) and Lumines. As stressed below, it is not any particular design -- any more than any particular set of categories or types -- that is capable of carrying the dynamics of meaning. Rather than being locked into "frozen" categories, it is the continuing process of re-categorizing that is the challenge (Framing the Global Future by Ignoring Alternatives: unfreezing categories as a vital necessity, 2009; Engaging with Globality through Playful Re-categorizing, 2009).

Spiral: There have been a number of explorations of circular representations of the I Ching, notably that by Robert Daoust (Map for an Algonomic Pain Management, 2010). Various spiral-related possibilities merit consideration in relation to development of the design of the above diagram (Fig. 7), notably in the light of experiments in discussion fora by several authors with spiral representations of the I Ching: resource1, resource2, resource3):

• open-ended: as an integrative framework the seemingly unconstrained, open-ended nature of the expanding spiral contrasts with many conventional frameworks
• direction: as presented, an alternative spiral construction is possible opening in the opposite direction -- giving both right-hand and left-hand variants
• multiple spirals: multiple spirals of different orientations can be constructed for both the right and left-hand variants, with their points of intersection offering specific positions in the diagram (as discussed in the introductory paper)
• distinct dynamics along the spiral arms: the spirals may also be distinguished in terms of a movement to the centre (a form of vortex) and of a movement away from it -- effectively centrifugal and centripetal movements

Double spiral: The Euler spiral (spiros, clothoid or Cornu spiral) is a curve whose curvature changes linearly with its curve length. Such spirals are widely used as transition curves in railroad/highway engineering for connecting and transiting the geometry between a tangent and a circular curve. This suggests a degree of potential relevance to the challenge of smooth transition from "in-the-box" to "out-of-the-box" thinking. They also have applications to diffraction computations in optics -- suggesting a degree of potential relevance to the widespread use of "vision" metaphors in policy-making..

Fig. 8b: Euler's spiral or Clothoid Screen shots from an interactive representation The spiral converges to the centre of the holes in the image as the length of the spiral (measured from the origin) tends to positive or negative infinity.

The double spiral suggests introducing a "reflection" of the basic design above (Fig. 7) to form a larger pattern, as indicated below. Of special interest is the effective displacement of the "origin" from the "originating centre" of the Fibonacci spiral to a position equidistant between the two terminating spirals. This suggests a cognitive challenge possibly acknowledged by the meditation disciplines aimed at "stopping the heart". An instructive equivalent in the case of governance might be seen in the effort of the International Red Cross in the Afghanistan arena to provide therapeutic care to both the wounded Taliban and the victims of "collateral damage" -- the former being condemned as inhuman "animals" (if not the embodiment of evil) unworthy of such care, and the latter resulting from the actions of those upheld as heroes embodying the highest values of civilization and acclaimed on their death as "loving their jobs" (Red Cross gives first aid lessons to Taliban, Guardian, 25 May 2010).

Fig. 9: Simple mirrored reflection of Fig. 7 in the light of the pattern suggested by Fig. 8 Note that one consequence of this reflection (as may be seen on close inspection) is that the line codes change their significance if those in the lower portion are read in the same direction as those in the upper portion. This points to the possibility of dynamic alternation between such readings
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Alternation -- That which is, is not. That which is not, is -- perhaps indicative of the holomovement described by David Bohm

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Fig. 10: Experimental black/white version of Fig. 9 with inversion of black and white in lower portion, exploring a graphic representation of a netherworld "inverted" perspective (exploring use of a Tao symbol as faint background)

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