25th March 2006 |
Uncompleted
Towards a Periodic Table of Questions
strategic opportunities from ordering WH-questions
- / -
Introduction
Dimensions of interrogatives that merit ordered distinction
Standard periodic table adapted as a metaphoric template for ordering WH-questions
Metaphoric reinterpretations of the chemical series of the standard periodic table
Metaphoric reinterpretation of natural condition and natural occurrence
References
Introduction
The purpose in the following experiment is to determine whether there are
any insights to be gained by ordering the standard set of 7-WH questions (or
interrogatives) in the form of a periodic table -- using the Periodic Table
of Chemical Elements as a metaphorical template. The justification for such
an exploration is that the 7 interrogatives could be considered as fundamental
to the organization and dynamics of knowledge space as are the chemical elements
to physical and biological space. Whether this parallel is associated with
fundamental isomorphism -- or merely illustrative and of mnemonic value --
is to be determined. In the first instance however, the issue is to discover
whether suggestive insights emerge from using the order of the standard periodic
table and its various features.
It is appropriate to note that an argument has been made in the past by Edward
Haskell for a generalization of the order and application of the periodic table
(cf ...) This has attracted little attention but was a factor in the development
of the subject categorization of the Encyclopedia
of World Problems and Human Potential.
Dimensions of interrogatives that merit ordered distinction
The following features could potentially be ordered in a new way:
- the set of 7 WH-questions
- the binary set of yes/no questions, normally considered (in the literature) in relation to the 7 WH-questions
- the existence of a cycle breaking or reframing interrogative, namely Po (as proposed by Edward de Bono) ** discussed
- the recognition of "light-weight" questions as contrasted with "heavier" questions
Standard periodic table adapted as a metaphoric template for ordering WH-questions
In the table below, based entirely on a version of the periodic table of elements
appearing in Wikipedia,
the following adaptations have been made (in italics; hyperlinks
go to relevant descriptions in Wikipedia entries, as in the original version):
- the 7 WH-questions have been positioned to correspond to the classical
groups of elements (I through VII), namely to distinguish columns of
questions of those types.
- the cycle breaker/completer "Po", is associated with the classical
Group VIII ("Noble gases")
- the yes/no questions have been associated with the elements in the first
period of the table (corresponding to hydrogen and helium)
Note that a major characteristic of the periodic table is that within any
period, subperiods with additional elements emerge (eg the transition metals,
lanthanides, actinides, etc as colour-coded) -- seemingly to break up the
simple notion of a table. This means that there are other kinds of emergent
periodicity which could be cause for valuable reflection in the case of any
mapping of questions onto the template. This helpfully guards against premature
closure.
Metaphoric reinterpretations of the chemical series of the standard periodic table (above)
Metaphoric reinterpretation of natural condition and natural occurrence
Natural condition
(at standard
temperature and pressure
colour of numbers in above table) |
|
Natural occurrence
(borders of cells in above table) |
|
| red are gases |
|
|
|
| green are liquids |
|
dashed borders arise naturally from decay of other elements, and have no
isotopes with a half-life comparable to the
age of the Earth; however, some are found in trace amounts in radioactive
ores |
|
| grey are solid |
|
|
|
| |
|
without borders have not been discovered or synthesised yet |
|
Undigested notes:
Quest-ions
Quest-I-ons
generic
electropositive/negative
valency / completing
periodic table /strategies
radioactive
isotopies
atomic weight
shells
traps
common molecueles: water, O2, co2, salt, gold
carbon: slippery, diamond, dirty
solid; liquid, gas, fire, plasma
paradox, dilemma
toxic
essential for life
hydrogen / helium binary -- quadrilemma
trace elements
elements of life
life "comfort zone"
shells -- link applets
shell game / hidden agenda
initiations
symbolism of elements
alternative presentations of periodic table
controversy
making: fire/fun
journey
provocations
goodness of fit
halflife
self-reflexive pattern lanaguage