Enabling designs of cognitive circlets and crowns

Engaging with Globality through Cognitive Circlets (Part #11)

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Beyond the examples indicated above, there is a case for imaginative exploration of possibilities for designs that might enhance integrative cognitive capacity -- if only as mnemonic aids, as argued elsewhere (In Quest of Mnemonic Catalysts -- for comprehension of complex psychosocial dynamics, 2007). Such exploration is necessarily speculative, recognizing however that it is to some degree the imaginative engagement through metaphor with any design that significantly enables such capacity (Metaphors as Transdisciplinary Vehicles of the Future, 1991). It is increasingly the case that what can be imagined in this way can be replicated in virtual environments, both as a representation but -- more significantly -- as a means of interfacing with knowledge resources on the web. Imagination is the constraint. The enabling technology is in many respects in advance of what imagination is currently requiring.

Design clues might then include (in no particular order):

Passing patterns: As indicated in Dimension 1, it is astounding that greater sophistication is applied to the analysis of patterns of interaction in various sports -- passing patterns -- than is applied to the patterns of dialogue at vital strategic gatherings (Jochen Voss, The Mathematical Theory of Juggling, 2007; Ben Beever, Guide to Juggling Patterns; Mark Weston, Passing Patterns, 2006; Athalie Redwood-Brown, Passing patterns before and after goal scoring in FA Premier League Soccer, International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 2008; Association for Soccer Education and Teaching, Passing Patterns and Small Sided Games, 2008; Alan Reifman, Network Analysis of Basketball Passing Patterns II, 2006; Patrick Riley, Coaching: Learning and Using Environment and Agent Models for Advice, 2005). The approach has been adapted to message passing in complex organizational networks. The situation is all the more curious given the widespread metaphoric use of "ball" in strategic dialogue -- as in the "ball is in their court".

Given the constant pressure for higher quality performance in such contexts, how is the quality of dialogue regarding the current crisis to be evaluated? The movement of a ball, or a set of clubs, has long been tracked and visualized to improve performance (Daniel A. Reed, Matthew J. Gardner and Evgenia Smirni, Performance Visualization: 2-D, 3-D, and Beyond). How is it that no effort is made to do so for strategic dialogue -- especially widely publicized panel sessions? In whose interest is it to avoid doing so?

OODA loop: This loop or cycle orders the sequence: Observe, Orient, Decide and Act. In response to the potential "targets" (the theme of Dimension 1), it is notably applied to the combat operations process, often at strategic level in both the military and commercial operations (Daniel Ford, When Sun-tzu met Clausewitz: John Boyd, the OODA Loop, and the invasion of Iraq). It was created by military strategist and USAF Colonel John Boyd. As such it focuses on strategic military requirements but has been adapted for business and public sector operational continuity planning. It is compared with the Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) cycle (otherwise known as the Shewhart cycle, the Deming Cycle, the Deming Wheel, or Plan-Do-Study-Act), which focuses on the operational or tactical level of projects.

AQAL: "All Quadrants All Levels": This is a theory developed by Ken Wilber and promoted by the Integral Movement. The concentric circles, divided into four quadrants, together offer one of the most sophisticated maps of cognitive engagement with the world -- a map which is in part the product of the subtleties of meditative experience and a guide to them. Its schematic geometry might however be understood as the basis for the design of circlets, especially given the colour coding already used to distinguish cognitive conditions associated with the map. An understanding of the "jewels" distinguishing such conditions within the Integral Movement is indicated by the poetic summary of a discussion about satsang by Corey W. deVos (General Discussion: Brahman is the World, 5 November 2008) in the following terms: "The melodies of timeless thought ribbon through our minds, threading our souls together into the living jewelry of consciousness..."

The relevance of this approach to governance has been notably explored by Steve McIntosh (Integral Consciousness and the Future of Evolution: how the integral worldview  is transforming politics, culture and spirituality, 2007). Announcements regarding the State of the World Forum (Washington DC, 2009) indicate that its dynamics are to be regulated by this approach, irrespective of ongoing reservations about it (Self-reflexive Challenges of Integrative Futures, 2008).

The AQAL system is integrated with a theory of developmental Spiral Dynamics. From a design perspective, this too could be made the basis of a circlet or bracelet. More intriguing is the possibility that AQAL (through such a spiral) offers a schematic for a form of crown (as discussed in Dimension 2), with a spiral component to its design. The basic AQAL schematic is effectively a projection into two dimensions of what is to be experienced in three (or more). Crowns of such design, whatever their symbolic significance, are notably to be seen in South-East Asian cultures.

Mandelbrot set: Discovered by mathematician Benoît Mandelbrot, this is a set of points in the complex plane, the boundary of which forms a fractal that may be represented and explored in striking ways. The Buddhabrot is a special rendering of the Mandelbrot set (discovered by Melinda Green) which, when traditionally oriented, resembles to some extent certain depictions of the Buddha. As the basis for the design of any crown, the set in fact includes features commonly labelled as crowns. The association of the set with understandings of complexity suggests that it might be used for purposes of cognitive organization -- thereby giving significance in practice to the symbolic form of a crown in which significance is normally only implied. The strategic significance has been explored at greater length elsewhere (Sustainability through the Dynamics of Strategic Dilemmas -- in the light of the coherence and visual form of the Mandelbrot set, 2005; Psycho-social Significance of the Mandelbrot Set: a sustainable boundary between chaos and order, 2005).

Periodic table: The periodic organization of chemical elements (and their isotopes) has long constituted a challenge to insightful design. Many approaches have been considered. As noted above, such periodicity has been an inspiration to the classification of knowledge, notably for access via the web (Functional Classification in an Integrative Matrix of Human Preoccupations, 1982). This was partly inspired by an effort to generalize the original table by Edward Haskell (Generalization of the Structure of Mendeleev's Periodic Table), which appeared in a book of which he was the principal editor (Full Circle: The Moral Force of Unified Science is an attempt at the unification of human knowledge, 1972). Such possibilities might be extended to address the strategic challenge of interrelating the belief systems currently fragmenting any integrative approach (Tuning a Periodic Table of Religions, Epistemologies and Spirituality -- including the sciences and other belief systems, 2007). Clearly any such "table" lends itself to representation as a circlet, if only for mnemonic purposes. Given the many design alternatives that have been considered, the question is whether it can be usefully configured as a crown that could be cognitively "worn" -- notably in a virtual environment.

Symmetrical polyhedra: From a design perspective, such polyhedra offer the most direct inspiration for the design of any crown -- just as symmetrical polygons may be the basis for simpler circlets. Polygons have long been fundamental to representation of the pattern of cognitive relationships with the world, notably in the various traditions of magic. They are effectively an articulation of the notion of "circling the cognitive wagons". They may figure as options for data representation in spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel. The case for representation of strategically significant knowledge and functions in polyhedral form has been argued elsewhere (Polyhedral Empowerment of Networks through Symmetry: psycho-social implications for organization and global governance, 2008; Towards Polyhedral Global Governance: complexifying oversimplistic strategic metaphors, 2008). The argument has been extended to human values (Coherent Value Frameworks: pillar-ization, polarization and polyhedral frames of reference, 2008; Topology of Valuing: psychodynamics of collective engagement with polyhedral value configurations, 2008). Of particular relevance to the range of design possibilities is the software facilitation offered by Stella Polyhedron Navigator as discussed elsewhere (Polyhedral Pattern Language: software facilitation of emergence, representation and transformation of psycho-social organization, 2008). This is a particular example of the kind of tool required to enable global cognition (Envisaging the Art of Navigating Conceptual Complexity: in search of software combining artistic and conceptual insights, 1995).

Symmetry groups: In abstract algebra the symmetry group of an object is the group of all isometries under which it is invariant with composition as the operation. Mathematically it is a generalization into many dimensions of the characteristics notably associated with polygons and polyhedra. Such symmetry is fundamental to any understanding of order, especially higher degrees of order that are typically beyond ordinary comprehension. Considerable importance is for example attached by mathematicians to the classification of finite simple groups and to the discovery of groups such as as the Fischer-Griess Monster -- a 196884-dimensional object -- believed to be fundamental to understanding of the structure of the universe. Similar importance is attached to discovery of the E₈ Lie group -- a 248-dimensional object -- part of a family of closely related structures derived from Lie algebras. It is of significance in theoretical physics, in particular in string theory and supergravity. It is the basis of the radical unified field theory of Antony Garrett Lisi (An Exceptionally Simple Theory of Everything, 2007). The challenge of such comprehensive understandings of order lies in both their relative incomprehensibility and in their significance to the psycho-social realm in which people "live and move and have their being" -- and which is the preoccupation of sustainable governance. Whilst the efforts to represent the E₈ Lie group (on the web for example) make clear its "beauty" (perhaps as the basis for a cognitive crown), it is unclear how these incredible objects relate to the disharmony which reigns in global society and in the lives of individuals. These issues and possibilities are explored elsewhere (Potential Psychosocial Significance of Monstrous Moonshine: an exceptional form of symmetry as a Rosetta stone for cognitive frameworks, 2007; Dynamics of Symmetry Group Theorizing: comprehension of psycho-social implication, 2008).

Cognitive fusion: With respect to the military context, as noted above, consideration has been given to the integration of two technologies, temporal event correlation and case-based reasoning (G. Jakobson, L. Lewis and J. Buford, An Approach to Integrated Cognitive Fusion, 2004). This forms part of a more general concern with "information fusion" which is the focus of a journal (Information Fusion: an international journal on multi-sensor, multi-source information fusion) and of the International Society of Information Fusion, with its own fusion conference series and its Journal of Advances in Information Fusion. In the spectrum data, information, knowledge, wisdom, this explores considerations that might be considered a precursor to knowledge fusion (cf Richard Scherl, Introduction to Knowledge Fusion and Representation, 2004). This has been defined by Anthony Hunter (Fusion Rule Technology: a knowledge fusion framework for structured reports, 2006) as:

the process by which heterogeneous information from multiple sources is merged to create knowledge that is more complete, less uncertain, and less conflicting than the input. We can view knowledge fusion as a process that creates knowledge. Knowledge fusion can also involve annotating the output information with meta-level information about the provenance of the information used and the mode of aggregation.

The question is the extent to which the "information" or "knowledge" focus bridges the gap to psychoactive engagement with that knowledge, even to its embodiment following the arguments of such as George Lakoff and Mark Johnson (Philosophy In The Flesh: the embodied mind and its challenge to western thought, 1999). This is the challenge speculatively addressed in the exploration of Enactivating a Cognitive Fusion Reactor: Imaginal Transformation of Energy Resourcing (ITER-8) by exploiting the unusual cognitive challenges of the ITER nuclear fusion reactor. For such cognitive fusion, the unusual questions of complementarity and self-reflexivity, dematerialization and virtualization, coactive contextual relations, and the role of myth and symbol making were specifically addressed. How might the design of any such cognitive reactor be understood as a crown, recognizing the dynamic thereby introduced to what is otherwise understood as a static configuration? Given the role of the torus in such fusion reactors, the possibility of a toroidal aspect to the crown design merits exploration, if only as interlocking cognitive circlets (Comprehension of Requisite Variety for Sustainable Psychosocial Dynamics: transforming a matrix classification onto intertwined tori, 2006).

Cognitive work cycle and enantiodromia: Implicit in any sustainable strategy of cognitive organization is a dynamic sustained by learning/action cycles, as notably explored by Arthur M. Young (Geometry of Meaning, 1978) as discussed elsewhere (Characteristics of phases in 12-phase learning-action cycle, 1998). Democracy itself is supposedly sustained by some such dynamic. This points towards an understanding of any circlets as distinct cybernetic loops (possibly interlocking as a cognitive "crown"), necessary to the integrity of the system with which governance is engaged. The radical learning within such cycles may be fruitfully understood in terms of enantiodromia (Psychosocial Energy from Polarization within a Cyclic Pattern of Enantiodromia, 2007). The combination of continuity and apparent discontinuity in such cycles is usefully represented by the apparent paradox of the Möbius strip (Psychosocial Work Cycle: beyond the plane of Möbius, 2007). Circlets can of course be designed in the form of such strips which may be necessary to embody the discontinuities between different epistemological domains (Interrelating Metaphors -- to enable a cycle of transformation between epistemological modes, 2007). More intriguing is the possibility of integrating such strips to form a crown appropriately embodying paradox. Möbius Strips of different chirality can be used to form a Klein bottle -- perhaps an interesting design metaphor for any cognitive crown.

Metabolic pathways: These are successions of chemical reactions occurring within a cell, often regulated by a cycle where one of the products in the cycle starts the reaction again, such as the Krebs Cycle. Erich Jantsch (The Self-Organizing Universe; scientific and human implications of the emerging paradigm of evolution, 1980), in his wide-ranging synthesis of self-organizing systems and their implications for policy-making and human development, draws attention to metabolic transformation cycles such as the carbon cycle. The map of metabolic pathways could prove to be a very provocative challenge to organizational sociologists of the future (Doutor Pedro Silva, A general overview of the major metabolic pathways, 2002). More generally, WikiPathways: pathways for the people has been established to facilitate the contribution and maintenance of biological pathway information in an open, collaborative platform. From a general systems perspective, the set of interconnected metabolic cycles and pathways may well exemplify the kinds of transformation pathways which need to be identified for organizations. The set of cycles is a challenge to comprehend as a whole -- ironically even those operating within the human cell. Mnemonic assistance to students is however currently provided by a set of songs (Harold Baum, The Biochemists' Songbook, 1995). The design argument here raises the question of whether the cycles can be understood as circlets, interlocking to constitute a larger system. There is clearly the possibility of then configuring the set of circlets as a form of "crown" -- which could be "worn" in a virtual environment enabling interaction with information on each. This would enhance the current pathway browsing facility in list form.

Global modelling: The metabolic pathways example points the way to engaging with a range of systems of strategic relevance, irrespective of the challenges of cognitive fusion noted above. Of particular interest are the patterns of feedback loops resulting from studies of system dynamics, developed by Jay Forrester, notably as they informed the report to the Club of Rome on The Limits to Growth (1972, 2004). This approach has been complemented by that taken in compiling profiles of thousands of perceived world problems and advocated remedial strategies, and interrelating them in networks of aggravating or alleviating relationships (Assessment: Global modelling perspective Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential, 1995). Experiments have been undertaken in detecting loops within such networks and representing them as 3D constructs in virtual reality, notably by projecting them onto polyhedra. As with metabolic pathways, such loops could be reframed as cognitive circlets and their interlocking relationships configured into "crowns" to be "worn" -- if only as a "crown of thorns" in the case of problem circlets.

Basket weaving: The traditional process of weaving vegetable fibers into a basket offers many design indications regarding the manner in which circlets could be interlinked to form a crown. The implications with regard to comprehension have been discussed elsewhere (The Future of Comprehension: conceptual birdcages and functional basket-weaving, 1980). There is of course considerable symbolism associated with basket construction, presumably with cognitive implications. This points to the merits of using such constructs to communicate complex patterns.

Song cycles and epic poems: These have long been used as a means of holding and communicating complex patterns of information, notably to enable coherent and appropriate action. Arguably melodies might be understood as circlets in this design argument. A famed example is of course the Ring Cycle of Richard Wagner. The suggested comparison (in Dimension 1) of the Davos Forum with Neuschwanstein -- dedicated to Richard Wagner (and appropriately decorated) -- becomes especially relevant to the chalenge of circlets. The drama of that cycle -- regarding a magic ring that grants the power to rule the world -- could be fruitfully adapted to the governance aspirations of the Masters of the Universe for which Davos had been a focus.

The innovative initiative of Franz Josef Radermacher (FAW - Institute for Applied Knowledge Processing, Ulm), in association with the Global Marshall Plan Initiative, illustrates the possibility of a step in a complementary direction. The 12 songs of The Globalization Saga: Balance or Destruction (2004) are presented as a CD accompaniment to a book.

Given the universal engagement with music -- in contrast to text -- there is a strong case for exploring new possibilities of embodying strategically meaningful information in music, song and poetry in which it can be appropriately configured to render larger and more complex patterns accessible -- as a "crown". The possibilities have been explored elsewhere (A Singable Earth Charter, EU Constitution or Global Ethic? 2006; Poetry-making and Policy-making, 1993). Given the importance of song and music to individual and collective identity within society, a case may also be made for recognizing how the cyclic organization of harmony sustains such identity (Emergence of Cyclical Psycho-social Identity Sustainability -- as "psyclically" defined, 2007).

BaGua and I Ching circular configurations: The significance of these arrangement, especially in Chinese culture and its understanding of the challenges of the governance of change, is discussed elsewhere -- notably in relation to configurations of policies (Towards Another Order of Sustainable Policy Cycles: insights from the Chinese Book of Changes, 1990; Documents relating to Patterns of I Ching / Tao te Ching; Challenges to Comprehension Implied by the Logo of Laetus in Praesens, 2007; Animation of Classical BaGua Arrangements: a dynamic representation of Neti Neti, 2008). Of particular interest are the mnemonic implications through the poetic use of metaphor.

Chladni patterns: The psychosocial implications of this phenomenon are reviewed elsewhere (Chladni Patterns: examples of integrated, multi-set concept schemes, 1984) raising the possibility of "cognitive chladnic patterns" (Polarities as Pluckable Tensed Strings: hypercomprehension through harmonics of value-based choice-making, 2006)

Adaptive cycle: The phases of this cycle, as presented by the Resilience Alliance, are considered vital to the precautionary strategic importance of resilience in ecosystems -- has recently been stressed in the synthesis by Thomas Homer-Dixon (The Upside of Down: catastrophe, creativity, and the renewal of civilization, 2006). The development of the concept is summarized by Aura Reggiani, Thomas De Graaff and Peter Nijkamp (Resilience: an evolutionary approach to spatial economic systems, Networks and Spatial Economics, June 2002).

Crop rotation: This is widespread farming prtactice of growing a series of dissimilar types of crops in the same area in sequential seasons for various benefits such as to avoid the build up of pathogens and pests that often occurs when one species is continuously cropped. As such it constitutes a powerful metaphor for many of the cyclic preoccupations highlighted here (Sustainable Cycles of Policies: crop rotation as a metaphor, 1988).

Organizational "rings": As mentioned aboved, in contrast both to the hierarchical focus of Dimension 1, and to partially ordered networks, widespreads reference is made to "rings", as in organized crime (drug rings, call-girl rings, criminal rings, carousel fraud), and web rings. A circle of contacts or a circle of friends offer other variants. Carousel fraud is usefully understood as part of a class of more complex transactional rings (possibly more appropriately considered in Dimension 3) where the exchanges enabling the existence of the ring to be inferred can only be detected using more complex analysis (as with software such as Netmap).

Circle of aesthetic associations: Whether simplistically in the form of a musical "round", or through architectural features which take the eye through a circuit, or through the structures developed in other arts, such circles (or cycles) offer a cognitive sense of completion.

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