Arranging the flowers to engender an ecosystem?

Flowering of Civilization -- Deflowering of Culture (Part #12)

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Polyhedral arrangement: Following the argument above with regard to polyhedral holding patterns of different complexity, some indicators are offered by extending into three dimensions what might be considered the "2-flower" pattern of the Tao symbol, as illustrated by the following images and animations.

Schematic of a "4-flower" tetrahedron	Schematic of a "8-flower" octahedron

Of interest in this mnemonic approach is the representation of the compatibility between the flowers in the "ecosystem" constituted by each case. This could be indicated by how the directionality of the arrows (clockwise/anti-clockwise, inward/onward) meshes with the neighbouring flowers (or "clashes" with them). A more complex case is offered by the "12-flower" case of the dodecahedron as indicated below. The images and animations in all case were developed using the remarkable, and readily available, software of Robert Webb (Stella: Polyhedron Navigator). [NB: Animations may take time to download on a slower connection]

Alternative animations of a "12-flower" dodecahedron

The configuration of 12 "flowers" is consistent with the separate argument developed with regard to the requisite variety of 12-fold patterns of governance (Enabling a 12-fold Pattern of Systemic Dialogue for Governance, 2011; Eliciting a 12-fold Pattern of Generic Operational Insights: Recognition of memory constraints on collective strategic comprehension, 2011). Notable in this respect is the tendency to favour such 12-fold patterns (Checklist of 12-fold Principles, Plans, Symbols and Concepts, 2011). In terms of the flower metaphor, what might "gardening knowledge" then imply for a global knowledge-based system (Knowledge Gardening through Music, 2000)? Again the relevance of the song: Where have all the flowers gone? ... Oh, when will they ever learn?

No effort was made in this exercise to "arrange the flowers" -- namely to optimize or minimize systemic incompatibilities across the boundaries between neighbouring flowers. This could possibly be supplemented by the kind of twisting line drawn between the circular elements of the Tao symbol, with its implications of higher dimensionality. The bounding line might itself be coloured between neighbouring flowers to indicate their degree of "mutual reinforcement" or "mutual challenge". A preliminary illustration of such possibilities is offered by the following images and animations -- notably of relevance to ongoing discussion concerning a mapping of the Chinese BaGua configuration on to the octahedron, which would enrich that connectivity.

Tao "flower" symbol across 2 faces of tetrahedron (see animation of rotation)	Tao "flower" symbol across 2 faces of octahedron (see animation of rotation)

The unfolding of the above polyhedra, into a plan view of the networks of which they are formed, is also of some interest -- as evident below. Although potentially to be understood as two-eyed, the image on the left (below) is somewhat reminiscent of the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States, dominated by an unfinished pyramid of 13 steps, topped by the Eye of Providence within a triangle -- as evident on the US dollar bill. Aesthetically both are suggestive of an Eye of Providence as might have been imagined by Pablo Picasso according to the rationale of Cubism -- implying possibilities for a multidimensional "cubist arrangement of flowers". In Cubist art, objects are analyzed, broken up and reassembled in an abstracted form -- instead of depicting objects from one viewpoint, the artist endeavours to depicts the subject from a multitude of viewpoints to represent the subject in a greater context.

Unfolded net of tetrahedron with Tao "flowers"	Unfolded net of octahedron with Tao "flowers"

A further restriction in the images presented was the manner of use of colour and background. White lines might have been used instead of black, where relevant. The colouring of the flowers was itself an arbitrary default option of the software. No attempt was made to refine their allocation with that facility. Of potential interest is the possible different colouring of the underside of flowers -- especially as seen through the polyhedral form.

From "planning" to "globality": The polyhedral navigation software may also be used to explore insightful metaphors of the challenges of transformation from the conventional "plan" view of governance to that of "global governance" -- whether for a civilization or an individual.

Schematic illustrating various unconnected plans	Schematic illustrating a pattern of connected plans

The challenge might then be framed as one of transforming from the two-dimensional plan view to a global configuration, as suggested by the screen shots of the following animation. This transformation was explored, with extensive animation, in a separate document (Middle East Peace Potential through Dynamics in Spherical Geometry: engendering connectivity from incommensurable 5-fold and 6-fold conceptual frameworks, 2012). The following screen shots are indicative of one variant of this.

Screen shots from an animation indicative of folding and unfolding from planning to globality (see animation)

The process of "deflowering" through loss of variety is however illustrated by screen shots from the following animation. In terms of dying, the latter could be compared to progressive cultural enclosure, entombment, or the closing of a coffin, as discussed separately (Enstoning of Promise, Potential, Possibility and Pattern, 2012). The animation could have included a reversal to indicate the emergence of flowers from their restrictive, "potted" condition.

Screen shots from an animation indicative of global deflowering process ("potting" the flowers?) (see animation)

The emergence of Moiré effects between the patterns is also of interest -- in the animations rotating the configurations, and as explored to a greater degree in the separate document in which those spiral patterns were elaborated (Convergence of 30 Disabling Global Trends, 2012).

A range of 56 other possibilities, as visual triggers to the imagination, is presented as a "Gallery of Polyhedral Flower Arrangements" (2014) -- consistent with the argument for memory aids (In Quest of Mnemonic Catalysts -- for comprehension of complex psychosocial dynamics, 2007). The challenges of appropriately "arranging" flowers to engender an ecosystem might then be understood as one of "remembering" them as integral to such a system. This contrasts with their current fate of being discarded as "waste' -- exemplifying the dysfunctionalities of "remaindering" rather than "recycling" (Reintegration of a Remaindered World: cognitive recycling of objects of systemic neglect, 2011).

Pentagons and Prisms: There is some charm to the enthusiasm of the US Pentagon for geometry -- as in the fundamental role which has been attributed to the PRISM surveillance program, however this may be related to the Five Eyes alliance of intelligence operations. If a degree of systemic coherence is otherwise implied by enthusiasm for 12-fold patterns in governance (as noted above), this can indeed be represented by a dodecahedron with its 12 pentagonal faces.

Desirable global arrangement of flowers from a Pentagon perspective? -- a conservatory, a vivarium, a terrarium --

In this light there is scope for exploring forms in which pentagonal prisms are associated with each of the 12 faces of the dodecahedron of govermance (if only for purposes of surveillance). This geometrical process readily lends itself to extending each prism -- either outward from a face or inward within the dodecahedron. These alternatives are helpful in distinguishing visually (as below) between the external societal implications of the Pentagon's PRISM from the internal psychological implications engendered by the fundmental invasiveness of that program -- on which many now comment.

Use of rhombicosidodecahedron, with 12 pentagonal faces, to suggest extremes of PRISM implication
12 "imposed" prisms?	12 "flowers" of governance?	12 "invasive" prisms?
An indication of collective bipolar disorder or phases in the cycle of a global "conbustion engine"?

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