1992
Specification for Structural Outliner Computer Programme
-- / --
Annex 15 of Visualization
of International Relationship Networks
(1992)
Also distributed separately under the title: Conceptual Keystone Design: a
computer-based "structural outliner"
Summary
Many documents of fundamental importance to societies, organizations and
groups (or even to an individual's creative processes) are based on sets
of principles, values, qualities, policies, initiatives or other points
(eg declarations, charters, action plans). These are usually listed out
as a numbered sequence, possibly with sub-points. The conventional method
of producing such documents favours linear thinking at a time when non-linear,
contextually-oriented approaches are often believed to be more appropriate
to ensure higher levels of integration amongst the elements of the set.
A number of computer-based text "outliners" are now widely available
to facilitate production of such hierarchically structured documents.
This proposal suggests the need for a computer-based structural "outliner"
to facilitate a non-linear approach to the creative production of such
"conceptual keystones". The need for a more integrative approach
may be seen in the occasional efforts to group conceptual elements into
a table, a pie-chart, a diagram, or even into a form of mandala. In each
case the structure is seen as providing the integrative perspective that
links a variety of disparate, but complementary, elements that together
ensure the viability of the larger pattern.
It is envisaged that the proposed PC-based structural outliner would be
used in a manner somewhat similar to the conventional text outliners. However
the software would offer many ways of configuring the evolving set of elements
within a variety of non-linear structural frameworks, whether in two or
three dimensions. The geometric and symmetric properties of these would
be used to suggest levels of coherence and integration absent from conventional
presentations.
User approaches
The user would be offered a number of ways of building up the conceptual "keystone". In each case, the result would take the form of a geometric (and normally symmetrical) structure in two or three dimensions with elements of text attached to its features:
- Text points (to be converted via template or rules into structure)
- User chosen
- - tiling as in Wordperfect tables (to be converted)
- - empty library shape (to be filled)
- - filled library shape (to be edited / altered)
- User drawn
- - shape (to be filled)
- - mind map (to be optimized into a shape or structure)
The user would be able to draw upon a library of structures and symmetric designs:
- Library of conventional structures
- Tables (Matrices) in 2D and 3D
- Polygons
- Polyhedra
- Library of other structures
- Tensegrities
- Traditional forms (mandalas, etc)
Two main modes can be envisaged:
- Attach text to directly to structural features (and move text items between structural locations)
- Convert text (outliner) points into features (lines, sides, volumes, great circles) of selected shapes
Thesaurus links
The thesaurus would be designed to provide facilities beyond those usually provided by such a function.
-
Complements: Its main function would be to facilitate selection
of complementary sets of terms, depending on the size of the set with which
the user was working. With respect to a single element set, the synonym
function is all that is called for. As usual, synonyms and antonyms are
required for what amounts to two element sets. But what is also required
is the ability to process items in 3-part, 4-part sets.
-
Broader / Narrower: The thesaurus would also be used to enable
identification of terms corresponding to broader or narrower terms, especially
the contextual terms appropriate to the set as a whole.
-
Traditional sets: This feature would enable users to browse
relevant traditional sets of differing numbers of elements corresponding
to the size of the set being worked (tertiaries, quaternaries, etc).
-
Academic sets: This feature would offer access to sets elaborated
in contemporary academic studies.
-
User modified: The user would of course need to be able to amend
the thesaurus in the light of specialized interests and evaluation of the
library versions. The user would build up a library of complementary sets
reflecting his/her specialized concerns and sense of the balance between
the elements.
-
Restructuring (by rules, by library, or by indications)
-
Text reveal / hide: This feature would suppress or reveal the
text associated with particular structural features.
-
Structure hide / nest / pack / simplify: This feature (as in
text outliners) would be used to conceal levels of detail. In the case
of complex structures, this would be achieved by a transformative reduction
to a simpler structure (eg from a complex polyhedron to a simpler polyhedron).
This reduction would conceal the text associated with the suppressed detail.
-
Structure reveal / unpack / complexify: This feature would unfold
levels of structural detail. A simple structure could thus be unfolded
(from a simple polyhedron to a complex polyhedron). This could follow a
previously chosen transformation pathway or offer transformative options
at each stage. In an edit mode, text could then be input directly (or called
in from the thesaurus) into the different facets of the revealed structure.
Other features:
- Optimize existing
- Duals
- Propose alternatives
- Indicate complementaries
- Switch from 2D to 3D presentation
- Rotation
- Contextualize
- Potential complementaries
- Structural families / periodic tables
- User additions / indications
- Text to structured
- Templates
- User additions to index
- Structural relationships (via features or globally)
- Common keywords (via index)
- Geometrical similarities / isomorphisms
- User indicated associations
The major emphasis in each of the following cases is to enable the user to articulate a complex pattern whilst maintaining a sense of coherence and ensuring a configuration of functional checks and balances.
- Functional units in organizations
- Organization chart
- Complementarity and balance of functions
- Lines of communication
- Principles in a declaration
- Articles
- Complementarity and balance of principles
- Action plan or policy
- Policy elements
- Highlighting policy integration
- Classification system (books, information, etc)
- Filing codes
- Tracking disparate interests
- Mind mapping
- Clarifying systems
- Creativity
- Philosophical organization
- Integrating incoherent patterns
- Exploring structural transformation pathways
- Introduction of new elements
- Restructuring (simplification / complexification)
Many of the geometric operations basic to fruitful operation of such a structural outliner are detailed in a classic study by Robert Williams: The Geometrical Foundation of Natural Structure; a source book of design (Dover, 1979). Part 3 of that work details 10 principal methods through which polygons and polyhedra can be generated or have identity changes. These include: vertex motion, fold, reciprocation, truncation, rotation-translation, augmentation-deletion, fistulation, distortion, dissection, symmetry integration. It is such operations which are required to explore transformations between structures whose features are used to carry conceptual (and even symbolic) significance.
Williams focuses on the creation of a "form language" as a tool for design in all areas of human activity, whether dealing with physical matter or the patterns in social and conceptual activity: "As in any developing, changing, and vigorous area of human concern, design integrates both knowledge and methodologies from other areas and uses new information in solutions to design problems. Unlike those in many fields, the designer finds many areas of human concern relevant to his field. For example, designers, artists, architects -- those who make form -- have consistently borrowed from science, religion, and nature in order to give a unified or integrated view of man and the universe." The early part of his book clarifies the tragic consequences of lack of familiarity with a sufficiently rich form language in ensuring "variety without chaos and order without rigidity".
The case for the "visualization of mathematics" has been established by Ralph Abraham and Christopher D Shaw in such works as: Dynamics; the geometry of behavior (Santa Cruz, Aerial Press, 1981. Visual Mathematics Library). It is to be expected that with the rapid move towards placing educational materials onto interactive video-disk and CD-ROM there will be strong pressure to adapt the visualization of mathematics and geometry to those media. But the argument needs to be made for the association of non-mathematical information with those structures in order to broaden the range of uses to which they can be put.
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