Hi Karen,
I like the general idea, and I think that it's important. And while I know I
can be way too practical, I wonder a little if the high-society
gala/humanitarian convention dichotomy doesn't interfere with the kind of
peaceful world that I believe you really want to see. But from my practical
(daughter of a union worker) viewpoint, I believe that solutions (including
design solutions) can emerge from a variety of venues.
Maybe people of good will have been to both, neither, and sometimes only the
gala.
(Full disclosure: I've never been to a gala, but I've got to admit, I'd love
to go.)
Susan
On 6/13/08 1:09 PM, "Karen Fu" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hi Johann
>
> thanks for your kind response.Probably going to repond your message
> in a somewhat off topic way but I just thought I should write in.
>
> Your mention of the conference reminds me of Barack Obama's
> voice for Change. I like his charisma. If he could tone a little down in
> a more modest way, he could win a lot of support around the world.
>
> The world does need a change.-- a change where ego could be eradicated
> and a common sense for honest convention comes in.
> The best leaders are ones who are very succint
> and creative in their strategies. The ones who can in reign long
> are the ones who are thoughtful and kind.
>
> Design is about thinking. IMHO, thoughtfulness and a keen sense of
> considerateness is the first step in designing things that are useful.
> But I don't find a lot of people who are
> able to do that though seemingly a simple requirement.
> It's more about power and self interest.
> Its like attending a high society gala and
> a down to earth humanitarian convention.
> There's a lot of hot air in the former.
> But when you sit in the latter where doctors and
> top engineers come to place, you do more
> rewarding stuff.
>
> Crystals are plain simple and pure.
> As such they are able to blend in any environment.
> To come up with a beautiful world where there is no hate
> no hunger, no riots, no war, the strategist got to know himself,
> his brothers and their living environment. One can only totally immerse
> and interact with the immediate when one knows how to remember others
> better than themselves.
>
> Crystals sparkle. They brighten your day as they reflect
> the wonderful light into a glorious rainbow of hope, love and peace.
>
> Karen Fu
> Just me without the quotes,references and a Ph.D.
>
>
>
>
>
> .
>
>
>
> .
>
>
>
> On 6/13/08, Johann van der Merwe <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> Karen
>> I am convinced that the small brilliant crystal you mention can be
>> found, or at least looked for - intrinsically, where the only source of
>> power is to be found, and where the only application of power should be
>> allowed, if we use the term 'power' at all (I'm really referring to
>> 'control').
>> Cybernetics - as second order observation, even of the self - only
>> allows intrinsic control, therefore the material aspects of class can
>> only be addressed by the group itself, not by the designer. Design
>> solutions (in themselves trying to 'define' to the group what 'design'
>> is and can do / 'afford' the group) cannot address, speak directly to
>> class or material aspects. The individuals, as a group, as a network in
>> Latour's example of actor-networks, must apply any definitions /
>> differentiations / distinctions.
>> The designer, as a human being trying to understand, must learn how to
>> differentiate between self and environment, and so must every member of
>> the group you wish to design for (communicate with).
>>
>> Design is indeed a way of thinking, for the designer as a structured way
>> of communication, and for the user as a way of understanding some other
>> insight besides the ones (culturally, economically, politically)
>> situationally available at any one time.
>>
>> When you say "In humanity -- design is a solution that has to take care
>> of what is
>> genuinely in need and discard what is not beneficial to humanity" you
>> are speaking the constructive language of Changing the Change - the
>> conference in Torino this July!
>> Wonderful.
>>
>> Johann
>>
>>
>
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Susan M. Hagan Ph.D., MDes
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
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