Dear all,
I should perhaps clarify that my original post on 'cultic language' referred to the language of the post to which I was responding. I have at the time of writing, no opinion whatever on the character or merits of Humantific as an organisation, or of its documents, publications or practices: "Insufficient data Watson".
I am aware, as Ken has intimated, that the concept of 'cult' is a controversial one, and for that reason attempted to explain each of my listed characterisations. In my opinion, (and I do not claim it to be anything other than my opinion) cultic behaviour is characterised not primarily by the use of language games, or of terminology designed to co-opt areas of thought or knowledge as these are to some extent, necessary to all human organisations. I use the epithet 'cultic' to characterise the use of such strategies to erect barriers to critical thought, and information sharing, and in attempts to represent, or imply a representation, that the cultic worldview, or narrative of 'the way the world is' is a universally valid and exclusive one, eg that it invalidates all other narratives.
Of oourse, the last of those behaviours can be attributed to scientific practice, but even if the characterisation is valid, critical thought - in essence the possibility of doubt - is nevertheless preserved.
Personally, I do not think Rosan's post, in its fundamental intention, is 'silly' (I think that's another controversial term :-). If we are to apply standards of critical thought to Journals, why not also to organisations and groups? As I said above, I have no opinion on Humantific or its use of the term codesign, but I have long held reservations about such design and design management related phenomena as 'Triz', 'Kaizen', 'Six Sigma' etc. I have no definitive opinion on these either, but I feel a sceptical examination is advisable.
Andrew J King
On 08 Dec, 2011,at 04:19 PM, Gunnar Swanson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
On Dec 7, 2011, at 10:13 PM, Ken Friedman wrote:
> I'd have said that there is no cultic language in GK's comments. There is a strong pitch, but that's the nature of the consulting industry.
Of course, the public language of consulting is the language of sales pitches in general, including sales pitches for aggressive religious or quasi-religious organizations. GK's comments have much in common with the public presentation of Scientology (except that the Dianetics hawkers are more welcoming and less insulting.) His style of terminology, in particular, is reminiscent. Every time I hear about Design4, I can't help but think "But OT 5 is one more"
Many religious organizations share with consulting and political organizations the ability to remain "on point" (as they say in politics) or "on brand" (as we designers often advise our clients to be.) This often takes the form of overstating the value of a some strongly-branded "truths" as a lure to a buy-in without examination of the complexities that remain hidden.
That said, I have seen nothing of Humantific or NextD that parallels the abuse of power that is the legitimate fear regarding "cults." To the extent that "cult" means "possibly crackpot," the rejection of cultishness may make some sense. To the extent that it means "probably evil and abusive," I would need to see considerable foundation before I would accept such a charge.
Those of us who are employed by universities have an advantage in that it is economically more convenient for us to be open with information and arguments. (That's not to say that we are collectively very good at openness and accessibility.) But even while acknowledging legitimate economic interest in consultants' not always being completely open about what they do and how they do it, claims that "Those that say don't know; those that know don't say" have never inspired me to take the leap of faith that the claimant is one of those who knows.
Gunnar
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Gunnar Swanson
East Carolina University
graphic design program
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