Dear Ken

[log in to unmask] schrieb am 10.03.03 13:25:33:

> Last item first: I have nothing against short posts. What I ask is
> substance. The challnge we face often here is delivering a substantive
> comment or query in a short post.

I was hoping the substance would come through our discussions. 

If the argument agauinst design theory
> is that design is a process or a practice involving process, then this same
> argument would have to apply equally well to many of the cognate fields
> that shape and use different kinds of theory quite well.

Yes, I find this thought very exciting and very ambitious. 
Won’t that be nice what we do here in design has something valuable for
other fields…. for a change?

> As you may imagine, I will argue that there are such things as useful kinds
> of design theory. I will demonstrate that these are not simple histories,
> but that these theories have features that are understood as theory in all
> research fields. I will offer information for those who wish to read
> further.

No offence, I have read your work on design theory, and I am sure it is 
MY PROBLEM but I regret to say that reading them seldom clarifies my
own thoughts on the issue. Now, don’t take this comment too far please. 
I can’t stand another round of misunderstanding. A comment is a comment 
is a comment. Take it lightly please, and no hard feelings, my friend.
 (I can see someone smiling). 

And I have noticed a slip in your language in describing ‘history’. I wonder if
 some historians will feel insulted by it. And I also happen to think that this 
freudian slip tells us a lot why we so hung up about and onto the word ‘theory’. 
In addition to the list of topics that you have so meticulously formulated,
 I will humbly offer my question:

Is theory an accurate word, strictly speaking, for describing what we do when 
we articulate designing based on observation? Please note that I am NOT talking 
about theory, I am talking about the word theory. 

> In the meantime, I'd like to ask for Terry Love's view on this. Because
> this also touches on systems issues, I'd especially like to hear the views
> of Harold Nelson and Erik Stolterman. (Harold and Erik have just published
> a new book titled The Design Way).

i look forward to that. 

All the best. Rosan 
p.s. a disclaimer : I am extremely interested in theory. 



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