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| | == Introduction == | | == Introduction == |
| − | | + | *Audience |
| − | == Platform: Our Mashup Approach ==
| + | *Purpose |
| − | *Approach to integrating a number of applications and aspects. | + | *Our interpretation of increasing harmony lies in finding ways to reduce fragmentation and connecting the ideas that work well |
| − | *See: [[mashup]], [[platform specification#One tree that holds it all together]] | + | *We have discovered a great many solutions to humanity's challenges and are focusing on a way to integrate and harmonise existing solutions |
| − | | + | === Principles === |
| − | == Large Scale Organisation ==
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| − | *Large scale industry? | |
| − | *Introduce Robertson 7 layers
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| − | *Not necessarily 7 layers
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| − | *Hierarchy (class) and peers (instance)
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| − | | |
| − | == The Geoscope ==
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| − | | |
| − | == Acknowledgements ==
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| − | *Giving credit to individuals and organisations who have already addressed certain aspects discussed here.
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| − | | |
| − | == Old Sections ==
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| − | === Introduction ===
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| − | '''The Project:''' The ''[[I Ching]]'' (Book of Change) is an ancient chinese book which is an ''implementation'' of a philosophical system called ''[[w:bagua|Bagua]]'' (eight symbols) which describes the harmonious flow of nature. This ''natural flow'' is named ''[[w:Tao|Tao]]'' in Chinese and ''[[w:Dharma|Dharma]]'' in [[w:Sanskrit|sanskrit]]. The book is a ''tool'' used for [[w:I Ching divination|divination]] and study, its ultimate purpose is to bring peace and harmony to the world by allowing its users, who were usually those of royalty and power, to make harmonious decisions for the provinces they ruled. ''The Project'' is the ongoing implementation of this harmonious way within the many diverse contexts brought by the cultures and times.
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| − | '''Organic Design:''' Within the context of the informational age, the principles can be implemented in an interactive way which is easily accessible to all the people of any language from the grass roots level up. It's this modern informational implementation of the project which [[Organic Design]] has been set up to develop. It's not simply another translation of the [[I Ching]]'s phrases and metaphors into modern archetypes, but rather the idea of logically defining the [[bagua|principles]] from which these archetypes were built. This definition is a new kind of computer programming methodology based on the [[w:semantic web|semantic web]] paradigm which we call the [[nodal model]] on which a [[W:Peer-to-peer (meme)|peer-to-peer]] collaborative [[interface|applicational environment]] is being built.
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| − | What the philosophical principles offer to the informational environment is the means to run scalable and sustainable organisations. This is done by simplifying the defining and managing of systems and maximising re-use of resource and knowledge. This will allow us to move beyond the competitive, selfish growth model, which encourages centralisation and makes sharing difficult. Using such an interface, flexible, self-organising networks of people will be able to deliver effective and sustainable solutions.
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| − | When people connect directly with other people, and ideas and resources can be connected freely through this network, it will facilitate projects that allow people to cooperate in realising their potential for the benefit of both themselves and the whole of society. We propose that such a network architecture will allow people around the world to collaborate and share resources using a simple and engaging interface.
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| − | Sharing of information from person to person on a conceptual level, without geographical or language boundaries, will allow people to create enterprises and projects utilising currently idle resources, by finding others who have the missing resources or skills that are required. The cost of starting up would be greatly reduced due to the far more effective use of idle resources that information sharing makes possible. Also, as more people use this network, their overall requirements can be reduced due to the effects of [[w:economy of scale|economy of scale]].
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| − | The direct sharing of concepts through the network, will ensure that no time is wasted 'reinventing the wheel'. On the level of society this opens the door to increased creativity through people being able to build on each others' achievements, and extend existing knowledge easily.
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| − | Other benefits arise from the network's built-in awareness of the cyclic nature of change. Participants' activity cycles can naturally be synchronised, so that organisations and individuals can coordinate their resource usage cycles. Generally speaking, this allows people to achieve more with less. When the activity cycles of all participants are known as well as the potential of all processes to connect with each other, an evolving culture of synchronicity is fostered within the network.
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| − | === Motivations ===
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| − | There are many massive [[global problems|problems]] on a global scale that the current political and economic frameworks are not able to effectively resolve. The way we perceive things is that there are self-reinforcing wasteful behaviour patterns in our western societies caused by a values system that encourages endless growth in turnover, products and GDP. Large centralised structures aim to maximise consumption in the populace while isolating people from each other. At the same time, the media makes us aware that a lot is going wrong in the world.
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| − | However, there is very little information about what we can do about the injustice or conflicts we are made aware of. In us this gave rise to a feeling of powerlessness and futility. The feeling of futility, or being overwhelmed is there because it is difficult for us to make any informed decision. Not that there aren't plenty of answers around, but we just don't know which ones are making a difference. And furthermore, how much of a difference? Or maybe some solutions are doing good in one area but we are unaware of the problems they're causing in other areas.
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| − | On the level of individual people, we could say that it is possible to make satisfying and relatively informed decisions, for instance, by 'following one's heart' and contributing to society to the best of one's ability. We can do what feels right, be 'in the flow' and take advice from others regarding our actions and our path. There are many different tools and specialists around to help us work on this level of things.
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| − | Great difficulties arise however, when trying to define an image of 'the whole' on the level of organisations, societies, countries or the world. There is currently no clear, unified way to represent 'the whole,' that everyone can agree upon and upon which we can base decisions and actions. There are many experts and groups around which broadcast their opinions on the state of the world and what the best course of action is for various societies. However, as societies, we have no one way of determining how true their statements are and deciding upon an optimal course of action once we know what is going on.
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| − | Without suitable feedback mechanisms on which to base an informed decision, all paths are hidden. There is just enough insight to see that damage is being done, but not how it will spread or where it originated. Many suitable solutions and paths remain in the dark. All we know for sure is that all the good things we're doing at the moment aren't working anywhere near well enough.
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| − | This applies to all the problems we face, be it soul-destroying jobs, traffic jams or waste disposal on a local level, or poverty, overpopulation and warfare on a global level. It seems that these problems can't be solved by ''throwing money at them'' or electing different leaders. Even protesting against policies we disapprove of is no way to provide solutions, so what can we do?
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| − | The collapse of some major support systems of our society seems only a few years - or at the most - decades away. We need to ensure that there will be a new support structure in place when the old systems finally break down. We feel that the only sustainable solution to our current and future problems is something that can help us achieve an enlightened society. Such a society is rooted in a values system based on justice, compassion and love.
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| − | For this we need tools which can help people to communicate and connect all their best ideas and solutions. We need a way to put in place solutions according to our needs, knowledge and available resources and naturally build them one upon one another. When that is possible, our solutions can be integrated, from satisfying the needs of individuals up, to a regional, national, and finally the global level. We believe that this is how a new civilisation can ''crystallise in parallel'' with the existing one, all around the planet.
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| − | We all are, and will continue to be, witness to much suffering and strife, as the gradual collapse of the current system occurs, but at the same time there will be a growing network of centres, sanctuaries and communities. Within this network, people can evolve a new way of life and new technologies with which to help soften the blow of the transition: From a competitive, ego-driven, fragmented civilisation to an holistic, decentralised planetary civilisation.
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| − | When everyone can make informed decisions and has free choice to act on those decisions, it will be possible for all people to follow their passions in harmony with the whole of society.
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| − | === Foundations === | |
| − | In searching for the organisational structure to make this possible, we have carried out a lot of research within the context of Eastern philosophy, particularly [[Wikipedia:Advaita Vedanta|Advaita Vedanta]], [[Wikipedia:Taoism|Taoism]] (sepcifically, the trigrams of the I Ching‚ [[Wikipedia:Ba Gua|Ba Gua]]) and [[Wikipedia:Sefer Yetzirah|Sefer Yetzirah]] ([[Sefer Yetzirah|local original text]]). There is a good introduction to the concepts of Advaita and Taoism in the '''[[ॐ|ॐ (Om)]]''' article by [http://www.sbmkpm.com Balamurugan S].
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| − | These are extremely powerful systems of knowledge about the structure of the universe which cover not only the physical realm, but also the conceptual and experiential world of consciousness. This "physics" is very similar to our own in describing the nature of space, time, energy and inertia, but the number of dimensions is a dynamic aspect of the way of perception and creation.
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| − | We realised that in today's world, it would be ideal to translate this system to computers because we could use them to create a unified network designed to work in accord with nature. It turns out that the structure which emerges within this network, being based on the principle of perception and creation, is very similar in structure to a neural network; the same structure our own brains have developed.
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| − | In terms of creating software, this means only the seed principle is defined, all else emerges within the bounds set by the seed and constantly orients towards perfection. This orientation toward perfection can be seen as two emergent principles or qualities.
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| | One is 'think globally, act locally', which allows local activities to be in accord with the whole. It means that all processes can only change themselves and are used by the whole based on their efficiency in terms of energy. When applied to everyday life, the first principle translates to fulfilling one's desires in harmony with the needs of the whole. This is a better way to contribute to society than trying to change others or the world. | | One is 'think globally, act locally', which allows local activities to be in accord with the whole. It means that all processes can only change themselves and are used by the whole based on their efficiency in terms of energy. When applied to everyday life, the first principle translates to fulfilling one's desires in harmony with the needs of the whole. This is a better way to contribute to society than trying to change others or the world. |
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| | Second is 'all aspects changeable,' meaning that nothing within the space or the programming is fixed, so that opportunities to move closer to perfection (as decided by the first principle) are never missed. When we apply the second principle to everyday life, it enables us to move with the energy of the time and adapt to ever-changing circumstances. This also means we can adjust our attitude and activities to stay in alignment with the common benefit, which helps us to work out the common ground in everyday situations, and ultimately benefits ourselves as well as everyone involved. | | Second is 'all aspects changeable,' meaning that nothing within the space or the programming is fixed, so that opportunities to move closer to perfection (as decided by the first principle) are never missed. When we apply the second principle to everyday life, it enables us to move with the energy of the time and adapt to ever-changing circumstances. This also means we can adjust our attitude and activities to stay in alignment with the common benefit, which helps us to work out the common ground in everyday situations, and ultimately benefits ourselves as well as everyone involved. |
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| − | === The Principle in Practice: A Computer Network === | + | == Platform: Our Mash-up Approach == |
| | + | *Approach to integrating a number of applications and aspects. |
| | + | *See: [[mashup]], [[platform specification#One tree that holds it all together]] |
| | + | *Object Orientation intro |
| | To achieve our purpose, our task became to translate the ancient principles into computer software faithfully, logically structured in accord with their actual conceptual meaning, not on the specific languages and contexts of the texts describing them. In practice, it means we need to create a ''network architecture'' describing a means for people, resources, computers, processes and organisations to connect in a unified (non-fragmented) way. The architecture we're developing to achieve this is called the [[nodal model]], and the network formed from it is the [[nodal network]] which is composed of many [[node]]s which represent concepts, data, resources, people, organisations etc. | | To achieve our purpose, our task became to translate the ancient principles into computer software faithfully, logically structured in accord with their actual conceptual meaning, not on the specific languages and contexts of the texts describing them. In practice, it means we need to create a ''network architecture'' describing a means for people, resources, computers, processes and organisations to connect in a unified (non-fragmented) way. The architecture we're developing to achieve this is called the [[nodal model]], and the network formed from it is the [[nodal network]] which is composed of many [[node]]s which represent concepts, data, resources, people, organisations etc. |
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| | The structure of the peer is completely open and transparent, similar to 'open source' software, of which the increasingly popular Linux computer operating system is an example. It differs from the Open Source model in that all applications derived inside the network evolve from concepts formed by users using the system, not from specialists developing program code. | | The structure of the peer is completely open and transparent, similar to 'open source' software, of which the increasingly popular Linux computer operating system is an example. It differs from the Open Source model in that all applications derived inside the network evolve from concepts formed by users using the system, not from specialists developing program code. |
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| − | === The Possibility of Informed Decision === | + | == Large Scale Organisation == |
| − | Because the peer structure allows concepts themselves to gain knowledge of their own usage around the network, users will be able to effectively manage their resources, such as skills, money, vehicles, tools and knowledge. One of the attributes of a concept is its cycles of surplus and deficit, or supply and demand. Therefore, once the users enter their resources into the network, potential applications will become apparent and possibilities for cooperation will emerge.
| + | *Large scale industry? |
| | + | *Introduce Robertson 7 layers |
| | + | *Not necessarily 7 layers |
| | + | *Hierarchy (class) and peers (instance) |
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| − | Once the network has achieved a ''critical mass'' of users it will become possible to make an informed decision in a truly free market, a market that caters to humanity's most important needs and is rooted in cooperation. Due to the open nature of the network and its interface, the notion of ''re-use'' gains a whole new meaning. In effect the network gives its users full access to a kind of 'universal template' where all successful uses of the software can be adapted for ones own usage.
| + | == The Geoscope == |
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| − | Therefore, another aspect of informed decision becomes possible: Allowing users to avoid the mistakes of others or to collaborate with each other on various projects rather than having to 'reinvent the wheel' over and over again in isolation, as is the case within the current model. Further, the merit of a concept can be judged from the perspective of the whole, that is, in terms of energy consumption or conversion. This allows the users to support only projects that are beneficial.
| + | == Acknowledgements == |
| − | | + | *Giving credit to individuals and organisations who have already addressed certain aspects discussed here. |
| − | === Potential Management === | + | *[http://www.gnu.org/ The GNU Project] |
| − | We know that the network will allow users to see the demand for (or supply of) products and services among members of the network. The 'potential-management' aspect will build on this and help users refine their business ideas or projects until they gain various forms of commitment and can take shape, growing from pure ideas to the final product. For instance, I could enter into the potential management interface that I would pay $50 per month to a Taiji teacher if someone would set up a Taiji class in my suburb or that I have a spare room which is accessible to people who want to use it for setting up an office if they let me use a computer workstation when they aren't using it.
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| − | Using potential-management, people will be able to easily set up goods exchanges, manage the transport of goods and people and generally set up streamlined cooperative enterprises that cater to shared needs. Since the software would allow such enterprises to easily scale up or down, we would effectively have organically growing or shrinking cooperatives or factories, allowing people to develop their own solutions according to their priorities.
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| − | We can now see how it might be possible that people the world over could develop open, democratic solutions without depending on states or corporations, not only bringing them a vast increase in freedom and shared power, but also an increase in responsibility. Food co-ops, car-pooling systems, bartering groups and wireless community data networks are examples of existing cooperative structures that could greatly benefit from the network.
| + | [[Category:Documents]][[Category:Philosophy]] |
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| − | === See also ===
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| − | *[http://www.gnu.org/ The GNU Project]
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| − | **[http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.html Intellectual Property]
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| − | *[[Why software should not have owners]]
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| − | *[http://www.sbmkpm.com/om.html Advaita]
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| − | [[Category:Documents]][[Category:Training]][[Category:Philosophy]] | |
 | There is a way in which we may conduct our lives without regrets, and in such a manner as assists in developing and realising our individual potential, without harming others, or inhibiting the realisation of their potential, and which is beneficial to a healthy society.
Such a way of life may of course be conducted without a name, and without description, but in order that others may know of it, and so as to distinguish it from other ways in which life may be conducted, we give it a name, and use words to describe it.
When discussing or describing this way in which life may be conducted, rather than refer to it in full, for convenience, we refer to it as the way, meaning simply that the discussion is concerned with this particular way, not that it is the only way of conducting one's life.
In order that we might distinguish it more easily from other ways, we refer to it also by its original name, which is Tao. |
— Stan Rosenthal, Introduction to Tao Te Ching translation
|
Introduction
- Audience
- Purpose
- Our interpretation of increasing harmony lies in finding ways to reduce fragmentation and connecting the ideas that work well
- We have discovered a great many solutions to humanity's challenges and are focusing on a way to integrate and harmonise existing solutions
Principles
One is 'think globally, act locally', which allows local activities to be in accord with the whole. It means that all processes can only change themselves and are used by the whole based on their efficiency in terms of energy. When applied to everyday life, the first principle translates to fulfilling one's desires in harmony with the needs of the whole. This is a better way to contribute to society than trying to change others or the world.
Second is 'all aspects changeable,' meaning that nothing within the space or the programming is fixed, so that opportunities to move closer to perfection (as decided by the first principle) are never missed. When we apply the second principle to everyday life, it enables us to move with the energy of the time and adapt to ever-changing circumstances. This also means we can adjust our attitude and activities to stay in alignment with the common benefit, which helps us to work out the common ground in everyday situations, and ultimately benefits ourselves as well as everyone involved.
Platform: Our Mash-up Approach
To achieve our purpose, our task became to translate the ancient principles into computer software faithfully, logically structured in accord with their actual conceptual meaning, not on the specific languages and contexts of the texts describing them. In practice, it means we need to create a network architecture describing a means for people, resources, computers, processes and organisations to connect in a unified (non-fragmented) way. The architecture we're developing to achieve this is called the nodal model, and the network formed from it is the nodal network which is composed of many nodes which represent concepts, data, resources, people, organisations etc.
Any computer can run the network software and become a peer which adds a small amount of space, time and communications bandwidth resources to the network; space is like physical resources or hard-drive space, and time is the ability to change things like man-hours or computer processing time. The fully nodal version of the peer software is peerd, and is still under development.
Incorporating the principle of change in this network allows all processes, no matter how large or complex, to be seen by the network in terms of energy. This is how the principle of think global, act local can be realised. The entire network and all contained within it can therefore constantly strive toward perfection; greater efficiency, productivity and sustainability, while at the same time lowering consumption, poverty and excessive workloads.
Of course, having a network structure is not enough. What we also need is a 'doorway' to connect with the network and each other; an interface. This interface is currently being developed in interface.c, and will initially look similar to existing applications with menu bars at the top, a folder tree on the left and current content displayed at the right of the screen.
The software is based on a 'workspace' approach which means that the users can add or subtract software tools as they need them for whatever they are working on. The workspace approach means that the peer interface will in fact fulfill the role of many different computer applications, depending on which tools are needed for a specific task. Workspaces organically evolve from use into applications that are a unique combination of software tools, yet intrinsically compatible with each other. This is an expression of the principle all aspects changeable.
Workspaces will greatly facilitate group formation since the groups of software tools a user selects and the changes they perform automatically puts them in a group of all the users who are working with similar ideas and tools. Workspaces are, in effect, evolving concepts. Where desired, a workspace allows its corresponding groups to work together and share information. Improvements any user makes to an idea will become available to all others who also use the same idea.
Communications tools, which offer the ability to manage emails, contacts, document collaboration and publishing will be a part of the interface from the start. More generally speaking, these are content management tools. Another aspect under development is a shared schedule system to facilitate event planning, collaborative process modeling, and work cycle optimisation amongst network users and groups, many of which will form organisations.
Peer-to-peer networks are known for their robustness and reliability. The way peers connect with other instances to form the network creates a peer-to-peer infrastructure. It enables users to connect directly with each other as desired to exchange products and services without having to employ middlemen as in the current centralised 'client-server' approach.
The structure of the peer is completely open and transparent, similar to 'open source' software, of which the increasingly popular Linux computer operating system is an example. It differs from the Open Source model in that all applications derived inside the network evolve from concepts formed by users using the system, not from specialists developing program code.
Large Scale Organisation
- Large scale industry?
- Introduce Robertson 7 layers
- Not necessarily 7 layers
- Hierarchy (class) and peers (instance)
The Geoscope
Acknowledgements
- Giving credit to individuals and organisations who have already addressed certain aspects discussed here.
- The GNU Project
