15 Transformations

In the four-volume Nature of Order (best summarized here), Christopher Alexander identifies 15 properties that appear to be critical aspects of living systems and states that they also function as wholeness-preserving transformations that enrich and extend such systems, and provide a practical means for participating in their complexity. In fact, Alexander subsequently opened a conversation about the linkages between his findings as an architect with complexity theory.

I’ve found that this framework is vital to genuinely understanding and appying any pattern language, particularly as a means for engaging in the extension and healing of complex social systems and organizations. And it could provide a practical language (in the literal sense) for introducing complexity theory into grassroot community transformation.

Here are the fifteen properties/transformations. Over time I’ll clarify how I see them applying to the task of community/organization building.

Levels of Scale
Strong Centers
Thick Boundaries
Alternating Repetition
Positive Space
Good Shape
Local Symmetries
Deep Interlock
Contrast
Gradient
Roughness
Echoes
The Void
Simplicity
Not-Separateness

There and back again: An invitation to innovation at the margins

In a recent tweet, I wrote:
Increasingly drawn to creativity at the margins, in the gap, where little is expected & folks later scramble to explain what happened.
And nearly as soon as I released it, I realized I had used “margins” as a place holder for several different dimensions that may intersect with unexpected results, sometimes [...]

Filters and the scaled perception of the whole

Just contributed a comment to another great conversation over at Tim Kastelle’s Innovation Leadership Network blog about “Personal Filter, Aggregate, and Connect Strategies,” and felt that I should expand a little here while the creative juices were still bubbling.
For reference, here’s my comment:
Now I’m realizing that there’s yet another dimension or perspective beyond filtering, aggregating, [...]

Anonymity as the Seed of Transparency

Time for corrective action. I have stood and continue to stand among those calling for greater transparency in the public sphere, and particularly in the workings of government. I operate under the assumption that whatever I place online or in email is ultimately available for all to see, by accident or intention. Everything I post [...]

Social Media as Engagement

What is social media and why is it so important right now?
Rather than aggregating a selection of the amazing wisdom and insight already available across the ‘Net (especially note the fantastic conversation taking place on Venessa Miemis’ posting, “What is social media [the 2010 edition]“), I’m going to adopt more of a personal witness approach, [...]

The seeds of a deep culture are rising…

A recent exchange of comments on David Hodgson’s Idea Hive blog around “A Culture of Innovation is the Key to Our Future” got me spinning off into an entirely different reflection on “culture.” As much as I’ve participated in the framing of “corporate culture,” for example, in the nearly mythical terms of vision, mission, shared [...]

About Ken Gillgren

Drawing upon over 30 years of experience in community development, corporate communications, and stakeholder engagement, I assist individuals, organizations and companies identify and develop integrated solutions for core challenges, building on their own wisdom, resourcefulness and network of relationships.