Collective Intelligence by Knowledge Federation

From a collection of insights, each of which is in principle capable of re-directing us toward a new Renaissance, and toward thriving, we arrive at a general key insight — namely that we the people have all but lost the ability to create and share basic direction-changing insights, of the kind that might now make a difference that makes a difference. A view of a leverage point, and of a key question, follows: Can we rebuild communication? (It will turn out that this question is a pattern shared by four historical visionaries, Bush, Fuller, Engelbart and Jantsch; this will further energize our quest.) This module will then initiate an organization of a variety of resources that might help us tackle this key challenge — and open up an illuminated (by suitable information) space for creating suitable projects.

1. Four Insights To Begin the Renaissance

 

1.1 Technological view (Information Age Paradox): Information technology did not really improve our communication about the things that truly matter (this insight is supported by a collection of rather spectacular examples)

1.2 Political view: By learning to see the systems, not the symptoms they produce, we become empowered to (…) (further spectacular examples)

1.3 Pragmatic view (Convenience Paradox): When we learn to base our pursuit of happiness on good information, the nature and the direction of this pursuit will radically change (here too…)

1.4 Fundamental view: We are building a culture on a ‘faulty foundation’ — this follows from some of the core insights reached in 20th century science and philosophy (…)

 

2. Four Insights by Historical Visionaries

2.1 Vannevar Bush: Organizing our knowledge/ synthesizing connecting insights, with the help of technology, is the task that must be given highest priority

2.2 Doug Engelbart: Information technology can help us create a ‘collective mind’ and enable us to think, create and solve problems together

2.3 Erich Jantsch: Innovation must become systemic; (design for) evolution is the key to large-scale systemic change

2.4 Bucky Fuller: We have sufficient resources to thrive; but to get there, we must learn to collaborate and not compete; the World Game exemplar

3. Four Leverage Points In a Strategy To Rebuild Communication

3.1 Foundations (epistemology): The assumption that the purpose of information is to tell us how reality really is has been discredited; beyond it, a wealth of possibilities open up

3.2 Methodology: The ‘scientific method’ was never really created for the purpose; but it can be tuned  to the purpose

3.3 Social organization of knowledge work: We can function as parts in a collective mind, instead of just massively broadcasting documents

3.4 Education: This is the The Game-Changing Game strategy — to do systemic change, we empower the next generation to embody new systems

 

4. Four Methods with Corresponding Prototypes

4.1 Design epistemology: Considering information, knowledge and knowledge works as parts in a larger system, that must fulfill certain roles; then designing them accordingly)

4.2 Polyscopy: A ’scientific’ approach to knowledge capable of organizing and reconciling multiple views, on multiple levels of generality, and (most importantly) of synthesizing big-picture views or gestalts

4.3 Knowledge Federation: A strategy and method to rewire the ‘collective mind’

4.4 Tesla and the Nature of Creativity: A method to federate culture-changing scientific insights; corresponding prototype and experiences with making it part of the public sphere.

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