ORGANISED COMPLEXITY

FROM THE COMPLEXITY OF REAL LIFE -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ORGANISED IN WAYS WE DO NOT SEE

 

- TO THE ORGANISATION OF MEANING

 

 

ORGANISED IN WAYS WE CAN TALK ABOUT

 

 

 

 

The whole looks incoherent because we cannot at first distinguish the recurrent patterns. There are so many of them and on so many scales, so that we see their overlapping in complex and chaotic ways.
Every small coherent region has an identifiable meaning - this is called a 'molecule of meaning' because it can combine with others 'molecules' to make more complex ones

 

The first step is to identify molecules of meaning.

Molecules of meaning are the basic units of data that are used in LVT. They need to be relevant to the whole, intelligible in their own right, and shareable by all those involved in the work

The second step is to chunk MMs together to arrive at new meanings - on a higher level of meaning - that embody more of their inter-relationships. Just as small molecules combine together in biochemistry to form larger ones with more complex features, but also greater specificity.

Within and between the original MMs there are complex relations of mutual relevance that can come into view in this step as a new level of MM is created

 

The third step is to situate all the ‘larger’ MMs within an organic whole.

An organic whole of meaning differs from a mechanical one in that every MM is mutually relevant to every other one, on whatever scale.

There is a generic method for making meaning.

 

 

MOLECULE

 SCALE

on a scale we can manage

 TIME

recurrent enough to be relatively stable and recognisable

SPACE

spread throughout the region so that it appears almost everywhere

 

MEANING

RELEVANT

contains significant information

INTERESTING

attracts attention and elicits emotion

SHAREABLE

can be located within a common frame of reference

 

LVT

LOGO

can be expressed in a succinct way

VISUAL

can be attached to an image

TECHNOLOGY

can be located and changed in location in a symbolic field

 

STEPS

MMs (1)

Identify the basic units

MMs (2)

Chunk them into larger units and identify their new emergent properties

MMs (3)

Integrate them altogether as operating together in the functioning of an organic ‘cell’

 

In going through the steps, the scale, frequency and distribution of the MMs are subject to change as signified by MM (1), MM (2) and MM (3).

 

The original MMs (1) are statements, to which can be attached explantory notes and identifying icons

 

In chunking, the original MMs and their inter-relationships are coalesced into a whole unit that can be treated as one meaning element of an MM (2) kind. This is given a defining title and any image that signifies the emotional content

 

In integrating, structures are used to position MMs (2) within a framework that highlights patterns. This is an organised complexity MM (3) analogous to a cell. It can be given descriptive amplification as in a story (structured process) or made into a symbol

 

Back to Logovisual Thinking