193.

VI. TENSING NETWORKS

- Tensed networks; balancing and focusing network dynamics in response to networking diseases 195

- Tensing associative networks to contain the fragmentation and erosion of collective memory 201

VI. TENSING NETWORKS

- Tensed networks; balancing and focusing network dynamics in response to networking diseases 195

- Tensing associative networks to contain the fragmentation and erosion of collective memory 201

'19 S.

in response to networking diseases*

The 1970s have seen the development of considerable enthusiasm for" network" building, whether among individuals or among groups and institutions. Much hope has been attached to this" alternative" vehicle for action following the failure of " coordinating bodies" and" organ­ izational systems" to respond to the perceived needs without imposing unwelcome forms of or­ der. Recommendations to create a network are widely felt to be low-key, low-threat options in a variety of sensitive situations. As such they may also serve as convenient (" cosmetic,,) tokens of action where " effective" action is not considered possible. The purpose of this paper is to examine some of the assumptions underlying the enthusiasm for networks and their operation in practice. It is hoped that such an exercise will identify some of the pitfalls of the network option and identify possibilities for improvements.

Minimal requirements sponse to such pressures. Participation a network. This is often the case with for network emergence tends to be undemanding. " invisible colleges" (1).

2. Diffuse membership: 3. Minimal organization: The creation of networks is facilitated by It is characteristic of many networks that Since networks are frequently created to the following factors which should be the membership boundary is unclear. avoid conventional modes of organiza­ contrasted with their equivalents in con­ Particularly when the network does not tion, and since alternative modes tend ventional organizations. have a single controlling centre, portions themselves to be lacking or suspect, little of the network may relate closely to bo­ can be done to "organize" a network. 1. Minimal commitment: dies not perceived by other portions to be A member of a network is seldom obliged part of the network. Such bodies may Responsibilities can seldom be allocated, to make any major commitment to the ne­ perceive themselves to be part of the ne­ since an "allocator" is not recognized twork or to other members individually. twork and may be so perceived by those and there is little obligation to respect Any strong commitments may be made to whom they relate. Membership is often such allocation anyway. A degree of or­ on an ad hoc basis, but they may also be not of the card-carrying variety and i ganization is introduced through agree­ avoided. Pressures to respect network 9 more a question of degree of involvement ment that a particular body should pro­ obligations are mitigated by the mem­ as perceived by others over a period of cess information for the network. Such ber's self-arrogated right to reserve re- time. Consequently some are considered activities exert a pressure on other mem­ members who do not perceive them­ bers which results in a minimum amount selves to be, and others are not so con­ of organization. However this may effec­ sidered although they may well perceive tively be equivalent to the action of a (*) Working paper for a meeting of the Unit­ themselves to be. A network of interact­ newsletter or journal on its readership ­ ed Nations University GPID project (Gene­ ing bodies may of course exist even even if some «readers" are stimulated va, October 1978). though it is not recognized or labelled as to correspondence, others to write arti- 196.

des, and others to participate in « read­ verging on total passivity or inertia. But - fragmentation of the network into sub­ ers clubs ». again the requirement that a network be networks " productive» or "active» may well be - member activity only in response to sti­ 4. Minimal expectations: rejected by members in favour of "be­ mulus or to occasions, namely not self­ It is characteristic of many networks that ing» (as opposed to." doing »). As with activating or continuous members do not necessarily have high the traditional "old boys network », its - member dependence on continuing en­ expectations concerning the action of the significance emerges from its existence, couragement, whether verbal or in the network. Frequently networks are con­ not the specific activities which it may fa­ form of some financial support (namely ceived as auxiliaries or complementary to cilitate from time to time. This is not to « activated» members as opposed to action which members may undertake in­ deny that a network may suddenly be ac­ " self-activating,,) dividually through other (conventional) tivated in response to some specific situ­ - limited ability of members to process structures. Or alternatively networks may ation (e.g. a crisis, an election, etc.), al­ communications from other members function where expectations are reason­ though in becoming "active» its mem­ and to integrate them into some larger ably low because it is recognized that bers may prefer to create one or more framework major or sudden progress is not possible, conventional (ad hoc) structures through - reliance on forms of communication particularly through conventional struc­ which to work. which in themselves hinder integration tures. and collective learning (or action) : 9. Unpredictable potential transforma­ - presentations, or exchanges of doc­ 5. Diffuse concerns: tion :, uments, in a " show-and-tell " spirit, Whilst some networks have very specific As implied by the previous point, most of to impress others of the importance concerns, the members of others have a the above characteristics need to be of particular isolated activities wide-range of preoccupations which qualified by the fluidity of networks and - publication of collections or compila­ overlap or reinforce each other in a com­ the attitudes of members towards them. tions of documents which require plex manner. Of particular importance are Networks can change and evolve very that the reader perform the task of those cases where the domain of interest rapidly, to the point of manifesting cha­ integration which the contributors of the network is highly complex, trans­ racteristics contrasting markedly with avoid disciplinary and involving a variety of those noted above. It is not clear what - presentation of results as the work of possible responses (research, political factors contribute to, or trigger, such individual member bodies rather than action, personal life-style change, etc.). changes. as an integration of their thinking The concerns of the network as a whole - member interaction designed to im­ may well be extremely elusive to the Unpleasant prove respective individual contribu­ point that members recognize each other networking realities tions but not to integrate them less in terms of a shared attitude to pres­ In continuing this study, it should be not­ - inability to focus (or build) on issues ent concerns, and more in terms of a ed that the purpose is to highlight the raised by individual contributions, or shared response to potential future con­ weaknesses of network activity not its on the lacunae which emerge be-. cerns. many strengths which have been ade­ tween them quately lauded elsewhere (2, 3, 4). 6, Minimal organization of preoccupa­ - different skills and perspectives re­ Clearly combinations of the weaknesses tions: main alien (or occasionally hostile) noted above may result in a network of It follows from the previous point, and to each other and do not lead to the minimal significance, if only to those who from point 3, that the concerns of a net­ production of a framework which ex­ tend to perceive themselves as members. work are seldom well structured. The emplifies their complementarity. Such activity as there is may then be complex subject domain may resist con­ characterized by : Difficulties such as these are due to ventional efforts to organize it and mem­ - regular contact between key members many factors which will become better bers may themselves resist efforts to or­ only known in the future. However, insofar as der their perceptions of it within any par­ - irregular or no contact with some mem­ the network is designed to reinforce what ticular framework. Where an effort is bers the members are doing mdividua!iv any­ made to use some framework, this tends - member contact (if any) with central el­ way, it comes to be evaluated against the to be viewed as an administrative conve­ ites and rarely (if at all) with other ability of the member to act without the nience minimally related to the non-expli­ members network. This loses sight of what the net- cit substantive ordering of the domain. It follows from this that conceptual integra­ tion tends to be a major difficulty (even if its desirability is not rejected for reasons analogous to members rejection of the organizational coordination or integra­ tion, which gave rise to the network in the first place). Efforts to use the network model to structure the substantive con­ cerns have not paralleled Its use to struc­ ture the relations between members.

7 Minimal collective learning: Since a network maintains no central re­ pository of written records, collective learning (if any) tends to take an oral form, This can be powerful in its own way but fails to build up a body of knowledge (as opposed to lore) which can be drawn upon on suitable occasions.

8. Minimal activity: It follows from the above points that the network, as a network, is often character­ ized by minimal activity or productivity, '197. work can achieve as a whole. This is ex­ - a newsletter, bulletin, etc. (b) which are solely concerned with the amined below by considering the" com­ - a journal or compilation of papers " transport" of communication units be­ munication units" and "comunication - a data network. tween network members - for this is pri­ frameworks" within the network. Clearly when the prime purpose of the marily a hardware and standardization network is to transfer the units between problem, even if all communication the members, no special difficulty arises. passes via a central clearing point. Networking operations But when, as in the case of a research The challenge lies more with networks network, the network as a whole has to whose members could interact as much A. Communication units : process, evaluate and integrate the logi­ (or more) with each other as with (or via) by this is meant the physical unit for in­ cal units contained within the physical any central point. A clue to a remedy formation transfer. units, then further questions must be would seem to lie in the complementary For example: asked concerning the communication fra­ attributes of tension/compression which - books in a library network mework: are characteristic of hierarchical systems - bibliographical records or abstracts in - does it ensure storage and retrieval of but are absent from inter-institutional ne­ a documentation network logical units (as opposed to physical tworks (5). Such networks, as shown - transactions in a financial network units), or is there extensive leakage of above, tend to be "flabby» and "slop­ - papers (or verbal presentations) in a logical units into oblivion py ». However the" jackboot» character­ research network - does it provide facilitative processes to istics of hierarchical systems, to which - event announcements in an "alterna- ensure the juxtaposition and integra­ the tension/compression attribute contri­ tive " network. tion oflogical units, not only of a similar butes, are equally unsatisfactory. These examples suggest distinctions kind, but also where dissimilar units The problem would thus seem to be that such as: have to be maintained in a dynamic existing networks are « untensed ", - some networks exist only to ensure the balance or state of complementarity whereas hierarchical systems have an transport of the units, and their signifi­ - does it ensure that all resources as­ undesirable form or degree of ten­ cance lies in their ability to do so sembled at anyone time (e.g. at a sion/compression (for some purposes at throughout the network meeting) interact appropriately, or: least). The lack of tension in networks is - the units transferred in some networks - is much time devoted by all to polite particularly evident in the tendency for are of value to the members as indica­ attention to a speaker repeating " distance» to be established between tors of action they can perform else­ (familiar) arguments already circulat­ those ideas (or, more irrationally, those where independently of the network. ed in writing advocating them) which are antagonistic In the case of the research network, it is - do some participants feel inhibited, to one another or perceived in some way supposedly the facts and concepts intimidated or unable to interact ef­ as incompatible. The normal conse­ contained within the communicated units fectively because of the momentum quence is for no relation to be esta­ (i.e. the papers) which are of value to established by the articulate minority blished between them - or worse still, members. But in such a network, presu­ (however incorrect the viewpoint their advocates ignore each other, refuse mably the idea is not only for members to promulgated) to dialogue, or even adjust the interaction I " feed" each other so that they can act - do some issues, of major interest to lines within the network so that no further better elsewhere independently of the a minority of participants, remain un­ interaction is possible. This is how a ne­ network. The contents of the communica­ discussed because of the agenda twork keeps itself « cool». It is also how ted units are supposed to be processed, selting procedures and convenient it renders itself irrelevant because the re­ evaluated, and reordered into more use­ time constraints. sulting lines of communication tend to fa­ ful patterns within the network. vour «conceptual incest ", or some or­ ganizational equivalent. I The question is whether, by emphasizing Containing and focusing the use of papers as communication network dynamics A desirable level of tension may therefore I units in a research network, this obs­ be introduced by maintaining «confron­ tructs the communication and integra­ The previous section clarifies the central tation» (compression) relationship be­ tion, of the ideas that they contain. By problem associated with those networks tween opposing ideas (or even between embedding a useful idea in a (lengthy) which have potential, as a network, to the bodies supporting them). The difficul­ I paper, it may be easily overlooked and move to a new level of significance. The ty is that such relationships tend to break ! filed with the paper under "waste problem is one of containing and focus­ the network apart, as noted above. But I paper ". The same is true of a verbal pre­ ing the wide variety of ideas generated this tendency may be opposed by " com­ sentation, a debate, or any form of dialo­ so that they interact appropriately to per­ patibility» (tension) relationships be­ gue. The essential logical units upon mit the emergence of new insights of a tween mutually supporting ideas (or even I which collective learning and progress more comprehensive and more integrat­ their corresponding advocates). The depend quickly drift into oblivion under ed nature. challenge is to balance the confronta­ I current procedures. Against this it may But" containment» would appear to im­ tion and compatibility relationships with­ be argued that key concepts are retai­ ply a networking philosophy which is in an appropriate structural configura­ ned, despite the enormous wastage contrary to that which prevails. It implies tion of a non-hierarchical variety (N.B. i considered acceptable. Or alternatively, if a level of discipline which the first section They are not balanced in a hierarchical emphasis is placed on the learning pro­ (above) shows to be uncharacteristic. structure). The result would be a tensed. cess, then whether or not ideas are And yet in some kinds of networks a ma­ network. " lost" is irrelevant, since similar ideas jor effort is made to minimize" leakage" Relatively little is known about such will be rediscovered on the next occasion or maximize «coverage" (e.g. inter­ tensed networks and that is limited to that the process is activated. bank, bibliographical, etc.). The looser in­ general principles derived from the study B. Communication framework: ter-personal or inter-institutional ne­ of structure in the abstract (but from a By this is meant the setting within which tworks would tend to view this as a step design viewpoint). An attempt has been the communication units are exchanged. towards "coordination" with all its at­ made to show the relevance of such stu­ For example: tendant ills. And indeed the problem is dies to the elaboration of a rich variety of - a «visit ", with its many opportunities neither so challenging, nor so potentially alternative forms of organization - wheth­ for discussion and exchanges of opi­ rewarding, in the case of networks: (a) er of groups or of concepts (5). nion which allow themselves to be coordinat­ Exploring this avenue further should a face-to-face group meeting, namely a ed from a central point - for these are show how the key networking problems form of " multilateral visit" merely loose or disguised hierarchies; or of leakage, storage, integration and fo-

I 198.

cus of logical units can be resolved within Facilitating networking inserting enough (compression) struts the framework of such tensed networks. The communication frameworks (see between adjacent knots until the result­ Of special interest is that the" energy le­ above) used by networks do not lend ing spheroid can no longer be crumpled. vel» of the network increases the more it themselves readily to containing and bal­ However, in order to do this effectively at­ is tensed, namely the greater the number ancing network dynamics within new tention needs to be given to the alloca­ and variety of incompatible elements that configurations - as suggested by the pre­ tion of the struts. This is where symmetry can be balanced within the configuration ceding sections. One form of communica­ enters the picture. by compatibility relationships. tion which is ideal for this purpose is Just how much attention needs to be giv­ en to symmetry is not clear. But by ex­ Tensed networks and computer conferencing. Its relevance to a research network has been described ploring symmetry constraints, ideas social reality elsewhere (6), together with the import­ emerge concerning some of the ways in The moment there is a question of in­ ance of " intermediate communication in­ which networks can be tensed, even if terrelating incompatible logical elements, terfaces » where computer technology is such formulae are only ideal types to the gap between theory and reality is not appropriate. A study should be made which no natural network will conform ex­ highlighted. If the elements are " incom­ to compare the costs and advantages of actly (cf. the relationship between natu­ patible » they cannot be integrated within using this approach with those of assem­ rally occurring crystals and crystal .a theoretical framework dependent, as bling individuals at a meeting. symmetry classes). most are, on logical compatibility. The However, even when individuals are phy­ In the spirit of the search for clues to an­ problem of interrelationship between sically assembled at a meeting there are swers, rather than in the hope for imme­ such elements tends of necessity to be of many problems of ensuring the best utili­ diate answers, an attempt has made to no theoretical interest. zation of the intellectual resources so identify the range of symmetry forms An analogous problem exists between in­ mobilized. Such meetings deteriorate which help to understand more about stitutions. Unless they are compatible, in only too easily into communication how networks can be tensed. This is the sense of having the same legal, ideo­ frameworks characterized by leakage, done (see pp. ) for both 2-dimensional logical, or substantive basis, they cannot fragmentation and lack of focus of logical and 3-dimensional forms, since under­ be integrated within an institutional units. The possibility of using computer standing of the one is a guide to under­ framework dependent on such compatib­ conferencing to enhance face-to-face standing of the other. This approach is a ility. The problem of interrealtionship meetings has been explored else­ development of earlier work (1) and was tends to fall outside normal institutional where (7). The technique was used in originally prepared in connection with an concerns, and is " dumped» under" pu­ this way in 1976 at a Congress of the In­ analogous problem with networks of con­ blic relations ». And, in fact, networks ternational Society for Technology As­ cepts (9). have been developed to overcome the sessment (8). (b) Network self-representation problems to which this closure gives rise. Some means is required to represent the variety of issues, questions, assump­ Despite these two tendencies, social reality contains incompatible elements of tions, concepts, etc. with which the ne­ twork is concerned. The representation both a theoretical and an institutional Further work required kind, with the one often reinforcing the (a) Tensing Networks: in search of should provide an integrative overview, other. And it is their incompatibilities clues preferably in (wall) chart form, reflecting which are significant in the dynamics of There are interesting constraints on the areas of comptatibility and areas of con­ frontation. (A description of such a meet­ that reality. Tensed networks thus con­ manner in which networks can be tensed stitute an interesting bridge between by the illtroduction of confrontation ele­ ing aid will appear in a forthcoming is­ sue). compatibility and incompatibility and ments. In order for there to be a balance could possibly provide a more adequate between such counteracting (compres­ (c) Network diseases reflection (or model) of social reality. It is sion) elements, some degree of symme­ To give greater clarity to thinking about important to draw attention in this way to try is required. In fact, in the absence of the manner in which networks can fail, it the limitations associated with the con­ symmetry it is difficult (although not im­ would be useful to examine the varieties ventional fixation with the need to advo­ possible) to tense a network satisfactori­ of network" disease ». (See, for exam­ cate monolithic theoretical or institutional ly. A good guide to reflection is the prob­ ple, pages 486-489). frameworks from which incompatibilities lem of tensing a (fishing) net. Even if it (d) Network function/dysfunction maps have been hygienically removed - de­ were torn in many places, it would still be It should be possible to condense in­ spite the high probability of their persis­ overly simple because it is planar. As sights concerning how a network func­ tence in society. There is a special irony such it could only be tensed by pulling tions (2, 3, 4) onto a single sheet in the in the tendency of some networks to rec­ externally on its perimeter - which would form of a « map ». This should also indi­ ommend such frameworks when their constitute a model of external depen­ cate the various ways in which a network members are unable themselves to toler­ dence. Of greater interest is the closed can fail or be drawn into some state of ate the monolithic character of such net (e.g. a string shopping bag). Here the imbalance. Such maps could constitute a structures. network can be tensed against itself by valuable guide to working with networks.

References

1. Oiana Crane. Invisible Colleges; diffusion of knowledge in scientific communities. 6. A.J. Judge. Facilitating the networking processes of a transnalional university us­ University of Chicago Press, 1972. ing computer conferencing. Transnational Associations, 30, 1978, 4, pp. 205­ 2. A.J. Judge. International organization networks; a complementary perspective. In : 214. Paul Taylor and AJR Groom (Eds) International Organizations; a conceptual ap­ proach. London, Frances Pinter, 1977, pp. 381-413. 7. A.J. Judge. Enhancing communication at a large conference/lestival (using com· 3. Oa.id Horton Smith, with contributions from AJ Judge. Inter-organizational ne­ puter conferencln9). Transnational Associations, 29, 1977, 12, PP. 532-540. tworking. Transnational Associations, 30, 1978, 11. 4. Gerald E Klonglan et al. Creating Interorganizational Coordination (Project report; 8. Karl L. Zinn. CONFER at the ISTA Congress. Transnational Associations, 29. an orientation; instructor's guide). Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology, Iowa 1977, 10, pp. 412-417 (see also pp. 418-422). State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA, 3 vols, Sociology report nos 122A, 122B, 122C (Submitted to Defense Civil Preparedness Agency, Washington DC, 9. A.J. Judge. Viable need patterns and their identification through constraints on re­ May 1975). presentation in 3-dimensions. (Paper presented to the workshop on human needs, 5. A.J. Judge. From systems·versus-networks to tensegrity organizations. Transna· Berlin May 1978, of the Goals, Processes and Indicators of Development project tional Associations, 30, 1978, 5, pp. 258-265. 01 the United Nations University, Human and Social Development Pr09ramme). 199.

CLUES TO TENSING ORGANIZATIONAL NETWORKS (see article, pages 480-483)

Summary of symmetrical 2 and 3·dimensional forms

A: 2-DIMENSIONS (circular symmetry) B: 3·DIMENSIONS (spherical symmetry) Stablllte: If a square or polygon is made from Stability: If cube or polyhedron is made from' Based on information in : a a series of struts which define its edges, and if - Anthony Pugh. An Introduction to Tenasgrlly. a series of struts which define its edges, and if those struts are connected by flexible joints, Los Angeles, University of California Press, 1976 those edges are connected by flexible joints, the resulting figure can be distorted and is - Anthony Pugh, Polyhedra; a visual approach. the resulting figure can be distorted (and is therefore unstable. To be stable a shape must Los Angeles, University of California Press, 1976 therefore unstable) unless all the faces are tri­ have its faces composed of triangles. If trian­ angular (as in the tetrahedron, octahedron or gulation is done with tension elements, the icosahedron). Certain counteracting configu­ shape cannot be distorted in 2-dimensions, rations of struts and tension elements (ten­ but it is unstable if lifted off the plane surface. segrity structures) are stable without triangu­ lar faces. The resulting network of tension ele­ WITHOUT TENSION ElEMENTS ments outiines the polyhedral form on which the tensegrity structure is based.

1. Struts linked end-ta-end in a "ring» patt­ 1. Strut end linked to M other ends; N struts ern; N struts enclose an area of the form of a enclose a volume. regular polygon. 1.1 Equal faces forming 5 regular polyhedra N = 3, triangle N = 6, tetrahedron (4 triangles) 4, square 12, octahedron (8 triangles) 5, pentagon 12, cube (6 squares) 6,hexagon 30, icosahedron (20 triangles) 7, heptagon 30, dodecahedron (12 pentagons) etc.

1.2 Equal face arrangement around each ver­ tex 1.2.1 forming 13 semi-regular polyhedra N = 18, truncated tetrahedron 24, cuboctahedron 36, truncated octahedron 36, truncated cube 48, small rhombicuboctahedron 60, icosidodecahedron I 60, snub cube 1.2.3 Struts linked end-to-end in several over-, 72, great rhombicuboctahedron lapping (or interweaving) «ring" patterns en­ 90, truncated icosahedron I ciosing an area of the form of a regular polyg­ 90, truncated dodecahedron on 120, small rhombicosidodecahedron N = 6, triangles (2) 150, snub dodecahedron 8, squares (2) 180, great rhombicosidodecahedron 9, triangles (3) 1.2.2 forming facially regular prisms (Le. not I 10, pentagons (2), etc. sphericaJly symmetrical) I N = 9, triangular prism i 12, square prism (Le. cube) I 15, pentagonal prism I 18, hexagonal prism 21, heptagonal prism, etc. I 1.2.3 forming facially regular antlprisms (Le. not sphericaJly symmetrical) '\ \ / N = 6, triangular anliprism (Le. octahedron) I ~-' " -+ fiFfiJ""y' - -'r 16, square antiprism I 20, pentagonal antiprism I 24, hexagonal antiprism, etc. I 1.3 Unequal face arrangement (reguiar face only) 1.31 Portions of 1.1 or 1.2.1 (14 forms) 1.3.2 Joining polyhedra from 1.1 I Joining polyhedra from 1.1 or 1.2.1 to those from 1.3.1 (15) 1.3.3 Joining polyhedra to those from 1.2.2 (26) 1.3.4 Joining polyhedra to those from 1.2.3 I (11 ) 1.3.5 Special cases (8) 1.3.6 Joining polyhedra from 1.3.1 and from 1.3.5 (18) (N.B. These are not sphericaJly symmetrical). 1.4. Concave regular forms 1.4 Concave regular forms 1.4.1 Elaboration of central symmetry by 1.4.1 Elaboration of central symmetry by " stellation ". «steJlation" (equal regular faces only) 1.4.2 Elaboration of central symmetry by N = 30, small stellated dodecahedron « faceting ". 30, great steJlated dodecahedron

1.4.2 Elaboration of central symmetry by «faceting " (equal regular faces only) N = 30, great dodecahedron 30, great icosahedron

I 200.

WITH TENSION ELEMENTS 2. All struts pass (approximately) through 2. All strut centres pass (approximately) centre point; ends do not touch and are linked through centre point; ends do not touch but by tension elements (outlining a regular polyg­ are linked by tension elements (outlining a re­ on). gular polyhedron) N = 2, square outlined N = 3, octahedron outlined 3, hexagon outlined 4, cube outlined, etc. 4, octagon outlined, etc.

3. Strut ends overlap (but are only connected 3.1 Tensegrity diamond pattern with struts via tension elements), enclosing an area in enclosing a volume; external tension elements the form of a regular polygon. outline a regular polyhedron N = 3, triangle N = 8, octahedron 4, square, etc. 12, cuboctahedron, etc.

3.2 Tensegrity zig-zag pattern with struts enclosing a volume; external tension ele­ ments outline a regular polyhedron N = 6, tetrahedron 12, octahedron 30, icosahedron 36, cube, etc.

4. Strut ends linked together to form a re­ gular polygon; tension links from vertices 3.3 Tensegrity prism, with struts not enclos­ to a common central point ing a volume (Le. not spherically symmetrical) N = 3, triangle N = 3, triangular prism 4, square, etc. 4, sqaure prism, etc.

5. Strut ends linked together with struts over­ 4. Strut ends linked to form a regular polygon lapping; vertices linked by tension elements. with a single strut passing at right angles 5.1 Forming a continuous circuit (for N odd) through the centre point of the plane. Vertices N = 5, pentagram linked to the ends of the single strut. (N.B. not 7, heptagram, etc. spherically symmetrical) N = 4, triangular polygon 5, square polygon, etc. 5. Strut ends linked together with struts inter­ weaving; vertices linked by tension elements. 5.1 Forming a continuous tensegrity circuit pattern.

5.2 Forming a tensegrity made up of several 5.2 Forming independent overlapping (or in­ independent interweaVing circuit patterns of terweaving) circuits struts (each forming a regular polygon) N = 6 (2 triangles) N = 9, triangular circuits (3) : cuboctahedr. 8 (2 squares), ete. 12, square circuits (3) 15, pentagon circuits (3). 5.3 Forming a tensegrity made up of several independent i

5.3 Forming a tensegrity made up of several independent interweaving circuit patterns of struts (each forming a polyhedron) N = 12, tetrahedra (2) 18, tetrahedra (3) COMPOUND FORMS 6. Regular polygon strut patterns linked to­ 6. Regular polyhedral (or tensegrity) forms gether (e.g. as tesselations) linked together (e.g. as cylindrical masts, ar­ 6.1 Same polygonal shapes rays, etc.) (N.B. The compound form may be 6.2 Same polygonal shape arrangement about spherically symmetrical if the constituent po­ each vertex lyhedral forms are appropriately chosen and linked) 6.1 Same polyhedral forms. 6.2 Same polyhedral form-arrangment about link points.

6.3 Various polyhedral form arrangments 6.3 Various polygonal shape arrangement about link points. about each vertex 7. Strut ends linked so as to form regular pol­ 7. Strut ends linked so as to nest one regular yhedra (or tensegrities) nested one within the polygon within another; the two polygons are other; the two structures are linked by tension linked by tension elements. elements. 201 • TENSING ASSOCIATIVE NETWORKS TO CONTAIN THE FRAGMENTATION AND EROSION OF COLLECTIVE MEMORY *

Introduction that most members of the Commission of much greater value would be to esta­ As with many other social phenomena, were directly connected with the media as blish some kind of « map .. on which were never has there been a period of history in were the working documents prepared. located all the different forms of communi­ which so much occurred under the term Futhermore in the final report Sergei Lo­ cation. Hopefully this could be done in sev (USSR) notes: « communication". There has been little such a way that communication «prob­ interest in attempting to see how the « The term «communication .. was not pro­ lems .. and the domains of organizations many different forms of communication perly defined and this tended to mar our Re­ concerned with communication could are related and in determining the signifi­ port terminological/y. Communication and both be located. Such a map - even if cance of the resulting pattern. In general it information, communication and mass media crude - would clarify what was included in is clear that these processes are vital to are often mixed up. It is especially regretful any discussion or project on «communi­ the future evolution of world society, but it that due to this too wide a definition of the cation .. - and what was excluded. is far from clear how they relate to the term « communication» the problems of in­ In addition to the Unesco study, three val­ pattern of societal institutions and to the formation were not adequately dealt with... uable broad-based sources to guide the increasing problems they attempt to re­ And it would be incorrect to translate the construction of such a map are: solve. These are the preoccupations of word « communication" into Russian other­ this paper which also attempts to clarify wise than" information" in too many cases" - communication-related organizations the nature of some of the inherent limits (1, Appendix). (whether governmental or nongovern­ which must be taken into consideration if mental) as listed amongst the 10,000 The report does not clarify what aspects bodies in the Yearbook of International the pattern of future communication is. to of communication have been excluded. contribute significantly to any response to Organizations (4) the emerging world crisis - and if the qu­ Seemingly as a response to some omis­ - communication-related problems as ality of individual and collective life is to be sions in Unesco's venture, the Interna­ listed amongst the 2,600 « world prob­ enhanced. tional Telecommunication Union has lems .. in the Yearbook ofWorld Problems agreed to act as the lead agency for a UN and Human Potential (8) (*) World Communication Year proposed for - forms ofpresentation as currently under Miscommunication about communica­ 1983. Having excluded « transportation .. review in a sub-project of UN Universi­ tion from the scope of the Year, the hardware­ ty's project on Goals, Processes and In­ There seems to be no adequate overview oriented proposal is that: dicators of Development. (••) of the range of forms of communication. " It would take into account communication On the one hand, it is a topic which too ea­ services such as public correspondence At a June 1980 meeting of this sub-pro­ sily lends itself to generalities of little (telephone, telegraph, telex etc.), telecom­ ject some steps were in fact taken tow­ operational value. But. on the other hand, munications services including space telec­ ards clarifying useful dimensions for such communication-related projects stressing ommunications and data transmission, te­ a map. A first draft, necessarily crude, is concrete issues of importance too easily lecommunications for the press, sound and given as Diagram 1. The map includes var­ misrepresent the full range of communica­ television broadcasting, telecommunica­ ieties of communication which are easily tions by creating the impression that the tions for civil aviation and for shipping, and neglected but a test for the value of in­ aspect of concern is the principal one and postal services. The Year would focus on the cluding any particular item is whether an others are negligeable - although usually progress ofcommunications technology and aspect of communication is lost by exclud­ no reference is made to them. its contribution to development" (2, para. ing it. It is preferable that the map should 9) (*). contain items which raise doubts rather The best example of this is the much pu­ than include only those on which there is blicized International Commission for the But again, even after combining the Unes­ widespread consensus. An important Study of Communication Problems which co and ITU approaches, what aspects of characteristic of such maps is precisely has just completed its work (1). Its man­ communication are quietly neglected? that a horizon effect makes it difficult for date from Unesco was: « to study the to­ How easy it is for initiatives such as these people preoccupied with distant domains tality of communication problems in mod­ to misrepresent the scope of communica­ on it to recognize the communication ern societies ... But Sean Mac Bride in his tion. significance of each other's domain. introduction to the final report states « ours is not simply a report on the collec­ \ Towards an overview of communication Communication for what? Ition and dissemination of news or on the Imass media .. but nevertheless « the ma­ There is little point in striving for some ob­ Since there are so many barriers and jor problems in these areas were starting jective definition for «communication ... problems associated with communication tOints for our discussion •. It so happens Like the United Nations attempt to define in society today, it is important to look aggression, this would require many years and have little final value. What would be ') Prepared for (.) Some 200 communication-related problems have al­ Commission 11/ (Role of associations in ready been extracted from this publication by transnational communication) of the LS Harms (9). World Forum of IntemationaflTransnational Associa­ t) A final deciSion on the Year has been deferred to an (••) The Union of International Associations is participat­ tiOns Brussels, 23-27 June 1980 ECOSOC meeting in July 1980. Ing in this SUb-project. ~1u seum (Symbol) N o Radar warning system language Ritual ceremony N Process control networks Electronic battlefield librarYMobile library GliAL • Meteorological data collection Data (bank) networks Navigational networks Community Cultural symbols

Military communication Bank clearing networksDocumentetion librarl networks C"'urch/Temple system Telephone Japanese gerden Telex Urban landscaping design

Exploretion

TV closed circuit Teleconference Exhibition Telephone Travel conference Amateur radio O:ganizational Conference

Electronic C-B radio d d 0 Workshop or,ers, a V1ce Negotiation Nature mail Suggest~on box Arbitration Semin~r excursion Cultural exchanges k t p t Disouss~on group D Ob Mar e s ar y Commun1l. with N° ht a~~ beoGambling Festival/fair/races M t nature Telegram 19 c u Disco Circus onumen s Political I Expletives Theatre p~p-con~ert Multimedia Cam ai in ,, 0 era oncer pP g1 ~ Prosylet~Z1ng Home ,P Art gallery event mov~es Cabl e TV ropagen a Photogr. School T', Sales "" Rumour, Education raHung . C' Hyde Park cnr Goss~p Inter~or ,..SYNTHETIC ampa~gn ANALYTIC Radiocommunication Public selection Dance Mimepainting lecture decoration -- -show Television ° , Town twing I Poetr Airlways S~t-~n Demonstration y Ea ling/together Railways -disc-show TV Shows Graffit i Roadways Wire services TV documentation Tribunal Sculpture TV pannel Strike Russel I Creative Videocassette Hijacking BOdy movemen t Dialogues writing Post Team Tai Chi game part icip ation Giving Newspapers Body language/gesture Popular sp weeklies Massage Cinema Group sensitivity Sp Journal Publishing Sex Repe Psychodrama Psychotherapy Praise Criticism Records Book publishing and Cassettes Complaint Telepathy Media advertisin~ Posterpublishing Sandwich ma'l leaflets Tract publishing Prayer Adverti sing hoardings Buttm and Stickers Cartoons Gemes (cerd, board) Photo novellas Symbol Humour Physical violence Medi tation Opirlion Survey Torture INDIVIDUAL Yoga 203.

carefully at the consequences of remov­ Containing significance pattern which they have each compre­ ing them - if that were possible. It is too Achieving this fourth level of communica­ hended (even if they can justify the at­ easily assumed that the "free flow of in­ tion may be seen in terms of "contain­ tempt). There is no way that such a socie­ formation» would lead automatically to an ing" significance. At the three other le­ ty can respond, other than spastically and improved condition of society and to view vels this is not of major importance. In ineffectually, to the problems by which it is that as a valid goal. each such case communication can take seized. Efforts by major intergovernmental There are however certain inbuilt limits place without great concern for whether institutions to grasp the world problema­ connected with the communication pro­ significance is accumulated, concentrat­ tique through their hierarchical structures cess which will be discussed in more de­ ed and focused. As a result it tends to fade have been of little success - even when tail below. But the fundamental question away rapidly as other matters well up into coordinative bodies are used to link their is the social significance of communica­ awareness. This does not mean that infor­ programmes. They amount to a " mainte­ tion. Perhaps the following main kinds of mation is not registred and stored, rather nance .. level approach, using the Club of communication can be usefully distin­ that what is stored is not easily accessible Rome terminology. National Governments guished: to memory- it is not" active" information. have exhibited similar incapacity within their countries. The vital importance of - communication to maintain the social Significance has to be imparted to it in this " learning capacity of nations .. was fabric and the sense of community, some separate operation. stressed in 1978 by Ambassador Soed­ namely a socialising process largely In­ Whilst these remarks are relevant to the jatmoko, currently Rector of the UN Uni­ dependent of content (to some extent individual, it is the societal implications versity: "communication for communication's which are the prime concern of this paper. sake») reinforcing the sense of identity The Club of Rome report cited has « The capacity of a nation - not just of its of the communicators achieved much in stressing so eloquently government, but of society as a whole - to the importance of " societal learning" as adjustto rapidly changing techno-economic, - communication in response to recurring distinctfrom individual learning. How does socio-cultural and political changes, on a problem situations through known society «learn,,? How is significance scale which makes itpossible to speak ofso­ procedures possibly requiring some ad­ cial transformation, very much depends on aptation " contained" in society? How does infor­ mation of significance get built into a con­ its collective capacity to generate. to ingest, - communication with new content de­ figuration of knowledge whose recog­ to reach out for, and to utilise a vast amount manding new patterns and completely nized significance is greater than the sum ofnewand relevant information. This capac­ new procedures of its parts? How does a society fail to ity for creative and innovative response to " get its act together" or keep it togeth­ changing conditions and new challenges I - focused communication orienting new er? would like to call the learning capacity of a communication patterns in terms of nation. This capacity is obviously not limited As a first step towards answering these some overriding pattern of concerns. to the cognitive level, but includes the attit­ questions, it is necessary to look at what udinal, institutional andorganisational levels is known about " collective memory" and The second of these may be associated of society as well .. (3). I with the "maintenance learning" pro­ its limitations. This is explored in a sepa­ I cess identified in the recent Club of Rome rate paper (6). Note that these limitations Whilst technically it may shortly be possi­ report (5) as faltering when faced with the are limits to learning - a perspective con­ ble to recall by computer any item of infor­ unexpected. The third corresponds to the trasting with that of the Club of Rome re­ mation, the problem lies with how the user " innovative participatory» learning port entitled "No Limits to Learn­ is to use such a facility given the limited f proces which that report stresses as the ing " (5) ('). processing capacity of the brain. And, important complement to maintenance more specifically, how is he to learn from Groupware configurations it and to what extent will it. facilitate social I learning. But whilst the innovative com­ as containers: constraints munication needs of specific new situa­ learning in relation to the world problem­ tions are relatively easy to comprehend, Returning to the map (Diag. 1). it might be atique? their iconoclastic characteristics are pre­ assumed that this constitutes a crude im­ This basic contraint emerges more clearly I cisely those which resist any tendency to pression of a pattern of communication in the Dakar Declaration (1979) of Infor­ weave them together into an overriding activity which does effectively contain matique pour les Tiers Mondes : pattern of communication capable of re­ significance. But as argued else­ sponding to a " crisis of crises». This ad­ where (6). our society is more than just a "The key element of human communica­ ditional level of focused communication "forgetting society", it is one in which tions - the ordering and transmission of in­ has received almost no attention. It is the collective memory is becoming progres­ formation - is tending to become a source of corrective to excess at the third level sively more fragmented and eroded. The mis-communication. The scientific and tech­ whether of the form" innovation for inno­ fact that a more adequate map has not nological breakthroughs which have led to vation's sake" or the isolationism of fief­ been produced is an indicator of the frag­ the informatics revolution are way a head of doms each characterized by an innovative mented nature of society's communica­ the learning process of human society. This approach. tion processes. culturallag is the most serious challenge to a comprehensive view of the implications of The dilemma posed by this fourth level be­ The limits noted there (6) seem to pre­ informatics. It is a matter of values, oforgan­ comes evident to some participants in ex­ clude any centralized form of collective izational capacity and transformation in citing new communication environments, memory such as has been imagined in vi­ mental structures". whether highly supportive group environ­ sions of a «world brain" (H G Wells). ments or those created by computercon­ Even in the best endowed intelligence ag­ Groupware configurations ferencing (7). When the obstacles have encies, no amount of computer technolo­ been removed, what is the purpose of gy can overcome the individual human li­ as containers: possibilities communication? It quickly becomes ap­ mitations to grasping and comprehending A fresh approach to the problem is offered parent that the obstacles conceal from the larger patterns of significance - or the by Yona Friedman in a stUdy of the critical awareness a widespread fundamental in­ difficulty that individuals have in linking groupsize above which groups cease to capacity to build new conditions collec­ together with others those portions of the be able to function effectively. This study tively through communication. Any recog­ emphasizes that an individual, ora collec­ nition of this tends necessarily to be rep­ tive body for that matter, can only maintain ressed and leads to a preoccupation with ("i With the recent publication of the French edition of the a very limited number (" valency») of ef­ any of the other three types of communi­ Club ofRome report, under the title: « On ne finitpas d'ap­ fective contacts thus forcing the commu­ prendre " it becomes apparent that there is a somewhat cation. (Both the second and third conve­ trivial dimension to the Club of Rome argument. Equally nication pattern into the form of a network niently create the impression that some­ significant reports could be produced bearing tifles such (possibly linking conventional hierarchical as « No Limits to Forgetting" or " On ne finit pas d'oubli­ thing purposeful is being achieved). er .... bodies) : 204.

« I think, personally, that a « centrelass " ne­ and tense the network connections be­ plines (*), possibly with "Specialized twork, a society with "weak communica­ tween them. Thus a tensegrity is a confi­ Agencies ". This conception of hierarchi­ tion " might be a goal worth striving for, as it guration of dynamic equilibrium between cal interdisciplinarity is an illusion. The might offer better tools for survival than in two counter-balancing forces which to­ question is rather whether the overlap­ our actual society. I also think that the ef­ gether maintain the integrity of the ping pattern of relationships between fects ofcritical size drive us in this direction, sphere (20). concepts of disciplines (**) can be per­ butmuch more study is necessary before we ceived as a spherical tensegrity network How can such a configuration "contain are able to speak out with certitude" (18, in which the very real incompatibilities be­ significance»? It must be remembered tween some concepts or disciplines are p. 27). (See Annex). that significance is conventionally asso­ recognized as the vital structuring factor ciated with hierarchical structures and is to maintain the integrity of the whole at a But, expressed in this way, there is no considered as concentrated in, or focused new level of significance. The tragedy of possibility of moving beyond the first three into, the highest element in the hierarchy levels of communication. Friedman's cen­ our civilization is not so much that these (e.g. the highest office or the most general incompatibilities are the basis for so much treless network does not have any over­ concept). But for a hierarchy to function as irrational emotional hostility between riding pattern which would be the vehicle an adequate container: for a new level of societal response to the those who should collectively be providing world problematique. It reflects diversity - the relative insigificance of the iower guidance in response to the world prob­ without any degree of coherence or unity. elements in the hierarchy relative to the lematique. The real tragedy is society's in­ It is difficult to argue that existing ne­ higher must be accepted by all con­ ability to make use of these incompatibil­ tworks give evidence of constituting a vi­ cerned ities, recognizing them for the structural able new level of structure - at best they - significant interaction between the low­ and energizing resource they represent. It are a complement to conventional hierar­ er elements can only take place if medi­ is the wedding between the rational and chical bodies. As argued elsewhere, they ated by a higher level element the irrational which needs to be brought tend to «flabbiness» lacking necessary - an external force is required (an enemy about. " tension" (19). Such flabbiness is symp­ or a problem) against which the hier­ tomatic of inability to maintain any level of archy acts thereby "recharging" its collective attention or awareness (*). own significance. Associative network There is a little-known form of centreless Such characteristics do not match the How then is all this relevant to the role of network which exists in a state of tensed complexity of the modern problematique. associations in transnational communica­ dynamic equilibrium. This is the tensegrity In the tensegrity, however, there is no tion ? Given the inability of anyone body (derived from tensional integrity) whose higher or lower element in any conven­ to contain the range of significance rele­ overriding, non-hierarchical pattern is tional sense. Interactions between adja­ vant to the world problematique, it be­ essential to its integrity (13, 16). The cent elements are governed by the dyna­ comes necessary for society to depend modes of the network respect Friedman's mism of the counterbalancing forces. And upon the communicating network of bo­ condition of limited communication valen­ the externality of the enemy or problem is dies (***) each aware of some portion of cy (usually 3 to 5). But the tensegrity ne­ transmuted into an internal structuring for­ the relevant pattern of significance. Each twork is usually curved, as a whole, as ce (*). such body becomes the active guardian of though forming (approximately) the sur­ some portion of collective memory. With It is worth noting that human beings are face of a sphere. Thus it is finite but un­ each such body are associated those in­ seemingly unable to comprehend signifi­ bounded unlike networks conceived on a dividuals for whom that portion of collec­ cance except in terms of difference. This two-dimensional surface. And the more tive memory is an active preoccupation. is especially evident in the physiology of complex the network, the closer it approx-, vision (eye scanning movement) or hear­ But, as argued above, it is far from enough imates to a sphere. There is no privileged ing (**), and.. is probably equally true in to rely on the network simply as a network. centre on this surface network. But the the realm o(values. If the difference is The inadequacies of this strategy are evi­ sphere centre, with respect to which the externalized, humankind will forever dent in the manner in which crises are network is curved, does focus as a com­ need an external "enemy» to recharge progressively exceeding society's con­ mon reference point about which dynamic its significance. If it can be internalized in trol. If, once again, it is recognized that equilibrium is maintained. The sphere vo­ tensegrity-type containers, then there is each body can only relate meaningfully to lume is however empty and its centre is a possibility of transforming the dyna­ a very limited number of other bodies, then not " occupied» by any super-privileged mics into a more fruitful and more signifi­ the challenge is to see whether this ne­ coordinating node. In this sense the ne­ cant pattern. This approach has been twork cannot be perceived as a tensegrity twork is doubly « centreless ». Such ten­ explored in more detail elsewhere (10, network. segrities are not simply theoretical confi­ 20). gurations. They may be constructed. But In such a tensegrity, once again, the very to do this a most important additional fea­ InterdiscIplinary illusion incompatibilities between some bodies in ture is required, for by itself any such ne­ it would be an essential structuring fea­ Friedman's notion of maximum valency for twork would simply collapse (like a string ture to ensure the dynamism and integrity a node in a network may be usefully ex­ shopping bag). The configuration is main­ of the whole at a new level of significance. tained by the presence or separators tended to the realm of concepts and intel­ lectual disciplines. If it is recognized that which keep some adjacent nodes apart In this way the widest possible spectrum each concept or discipline can only effec­ of perspectives is reflected in (or con­ tively be related to a very limited number tained by) the consensual network - with­ of "adjacent" concepts or disciplines, (0) This may often be well illustrated in the microcosm of out attempting simplistically to arrive at a conference. One group of participants will agree that then the much desired goal of meaningful total consensus on particular issues viewpointA is valid, subsequentlyanothergroup will agree interdisciplinarity emerges in a new light. that an opposing viewpoint B is valid. This progression (which would distort the network or rip it may finally form a network pattern or cycle of expression and abandonment of opposing viewpoints (e.g. A-B-C-D­ It i~ no longer a question of establishing a apart). Once again, the unbounded curved A. or M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-M). It might even be hypothesized "United Nations» of sovereign disci- network does not have an " occupied cen- that the length ofsuch cycles (or the complexity ofthe ne­ twork) is unconsciously chosen by the group so that the pattern cannot be encompassed by the collective atten­ tion span of those present. Subjection to such cycles bears a strong resemblance to the situation identified by (") "An essential difference today is that contemporary (.) " Learning research should be re-oriented, intemisci· the well-known Peter Principle. This states" People are complexity is causedpredominantly by human activities... plinarity should help to overcome the detrimental" sover­ promoted to the level at which they become incompetent ". Global problems, currently the chief manifestations of eignty" of the individual disciplines" (5, p. 134). A conference group would thus necessarily be incompe­ complexity, are first and foremost human problems. They (") This recalls the so-called" model ofknow­ tent in that collectively it cannot sustain the attention span are only secondarily attributable to natural causes" (5, fish-scale" ledge. to encompass the cycle it engenders and is consequently pp. 5-7). floverned by the linear sequence of viewpoints through ('0) " ... we are always comparing one sound with ano­ tU) Simplifstic distinctions such as between intergovern­ which it progresses as well as the dynamics between ther. We can appreciate only th differences In sound mental and nongovernmental no longer reflect the com­ them. (21, p. 23). plexity of society or the bodies active in it. 205. tre ». The centre of the sphere is inacces­ Of special significance in this case are the One micro-level approach would be to ex­ sible to the surface network which defines symmetry properties of any such world periment with communication between it. It is this centre which is effectively the problem tensegrity. These are the major participants at large-group conferences. unstateable common reference point for factors behind the dynamic eqUilibrium of This possibility was opened up at the the network - unstateable because no for­ the problematique. As unseen «nega­ 1979 conference ofths Society for Gener­ mulation from any particular local surface tive »forces they merit the symbolic labels al Systems Research (17). A further de­ position would lead to »agreement attributed to them in religious pantheons, velopment of this «metaconferencing .. around the whole surface ». It is its" emp­ as does the empty centre of such a prob­ experiment took place at the 1980 World tiness » which is effectively an indication lem tensegrity. For it is not the " surface Forum of Transnational Associa­ of its utility (*).(See Annex). features" of the problematique which tions (22). Much more work is required sould be the focus of concern, but rather Ar8as of the surface of the sphere then in­ however before participants can be those dynamic patterns which govern the helped to construct tensegrity groups (at a dicate possible common interest groups manifestation of such features. These are conference) which those involved per­ (e.g. at a "coordinating» conference). necessarily difficult to comprehend - most ceive as having a new order of signifi­ But as the area increases, the " horizon difficult being the significance of the emp­ cance. And even more will be required be­ effects» of the sphere prevent the more ty centre and the fundamental challenge it fore tensegrity communication patterns distant points from appearing relevant or constitutes to our current civilization. significant to each other - they have dif­ can emerge to provide the basis for ten­ segrity conferences (15). But the nature ferent external referents (00). This problem network can be "con­ and practicality of what needs to be done tained » (.) if it is melded into the associa­ This situation suggests the possibility of is very clear. tive network discussed above. This pro­ moving away from «resolutions» based cess is however a continuing challenge to on unanimity or a " democratic majority» Through such participatory exercises comprehension which at the moment far towards variegated consensual outcomes. hopefully the practical outlines of a new surpasses our collective ability, and macro-level strategy will emerge in a It provides a stabilized (spherical) "plat­ where comprehension fails elements of comprehensible form capable of focusing form» on which new forms of organized the problematique will literally spring out the diversity of perspectives relevant to action can then be based and interrelated. of containment ("). Much needs to be in­ the containment of the world problema­ It is no longer possible to depend optimist­ vestigated in this domain. tique. ically upon managing action based on agreement (and the associated variety re­ duction). The network cannot be " organ­ Encouraging more relevant Role of the individual communication patterns ized» by any central body although re­ Although communication clearly involves cognition of its emerging pattern can be It is one thing to note real possibility for human beings, it is too easy to neglect the facilitated. Solutions have to be found to society to give birth to a new overriding human factor and treat individuals as the more challenging problem of the self­ tensegrity communication pattern ap­ communicating" units ". This is no longer management of (partially ordered) confi­ propriate to the containment of the world an adequate perspective as the Club of gurations of disagreement - and benefit­ problematique and whereby collective Rome report points out: ting from the variety of perspectives thus perception of society's condition is trans­ encompassed. muted into a new framework. But it is quite " Not only is a critical element still missing from most discussion on global problems. " Resolutions" necessarily tend to give another thing altogether to discover what rise to simplistic hierarchical structures to specific communication pathways need but the most striking analyses of the world implement them. By contrast, this ap­ to be opened up, and how this can be problematique are diverting attention from a proach delineates the pattern of the dec­ encouraged. Strangely enough society fundamental issue. What has been missing entralized organizational network needed knows little about building communica­ is the human element. and what is atissue is to operationalize the complex range of tion networks, other than under hier­ what we call the human gap... We call ita hu­ tasks reflected in the contrasting per­ archical initiatives. Who could indicate man gap, because it is a dichotomy between spectives of the bodies in the network ­ the relationships between the forms of a growing complexity ofour own making and and yet the integrity of the whole is main­ communication in the map in Diagram 1 ? a lagging development of our own capaci­ ties" (5, pp 6-7). tained (see Annex). One macro-level approach would be to World problem network contained undertake a continuing experiment with The key to a better integrated fourth level information on all international bodies of focused communication in response to The same approach can be applied to or­ such as the 10,000 identified in the Year­ the world problematique lies in enhancing dering society's perceptions of world book of International Organizations (4). the individual's ability to comprehend problems. In preparing the Yearbook of more subtle patterns. The limits to inte­ World Problems and Human Potential (8), The aim would be to move: gration lie in the individual's limited ability documents of international bodies led to - beyond two-dimensional matrices of to « put things together" in more complex the description of some 2,600 such prob­ such bodies (on the basis of experi­ ways. But these limits may be artificially lems in a network of 13,000 relationships. ments in matrix organization) reinforced by widespread emphasis on It is possible that this could be usefully - to three-dimensional interlocking cate­ the most obvious and least subtle forms of perceived as a curved tensegrity network integration. Integration needs itself to be structured by the incompatibilities be­ gories constituting a tensegrity-type communication pattern (20). « liberated". In a paper exploring this tween certain perceived problems. possibility (11), it was concluded that: In practice this might take the form of a Once again the full significance of the ne­ « ... more elegant forms of integration might twork as a whole cannot be compre­ computer-generated " Transnational Ac­ notonly be desirable but also necessary for hended from anyone part of it. But this ap­ tion Yellow-pages" on which initial tests effective integration to be achieved. But proach reflects a major step beyond the have already been made with funding from whilst our values now stress the import­ easy use of the term "world problema­ the Commonwealth Science Council. The ance of centring social development on tique ", and offers avenues ofcomprehen­ mapping and interactive dimension of this the human being... It would appear that, to sion lacking in a compilation like the project has not as yet been able to attract bring out the kind of integration which is above Yearbook. funds. required by the conditions of our society, it is essential that integration be embod­ ied. transmuted and expressed through (') This paragraph. and those following in this section. tJ .. Encountered" mightbe a more appropriate term from have been adapted from (17). a Jungian perspective. The world problematique is the the individual in movement. The individual ("') The possibility that gfobal organization should reflect planetary " shadow» is in this sense the dynamic " keystone .. the constraints on communication networks around a spherical planet should not be neglected. Hierarchical r'") As ;s welf modelled in the process of construcr;ng a to an integration relevant to human social structures cannot be mapped effectively onto spheres stick-and-string tensegrity. development ». 206.

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