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Folks, It may be useful to distinguish between associations and community, in the manner of Dewey. There have been a variety of special interest groups that have formed over the years in design, where the shared interest has served as the bond. These are perhaps best understood as "associations," in Dewey's terms. They are usually formed around a particular problem or around a particular approach or philosophy. But associations come and go as interests are served and as interests move on. Professional associations are of this kind, too--and the SIG's of such associations are, themselves, associations. The idea of a community in design is something different. Personally, I believe we are now seeing the beginnings of such a community, crossing some of the boundaries of associations. Perhaps doctoral programs will help in this formation, but I don't believe they will be entirely decisive. One of the issues in forming a community lies in the relation of practice and theory or reflection. While I believe the relation is important and may sometimes be quite close, I think we should not feel obliged to judge the community by whether practicing designers approve or even immediately benefit from the larger project of the community. Forming a design community is, to me, a central problem for us. One of my greatest concerns in recent years is the tendency of SIG's and other associations to become detached from a collective enterprise. Keeping some kind of connection among the various groups is valuable--much as nature finds a way to keep gene-pools in relationship. Looking for the connective themes and threads is one of the challenges that interests me a great deal. In the long run, the understanding of design will require an appreciation of the pluralism of inquiry. And teaching our students how to navigate the diversity is a great value in the long term enterprise. Dick Richard Buchanan %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%