from interaction to agency

Hello.

chaos data beauty swarm behaviours

#

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From Interaction To AgencyAnd Other Musings on The Meaning of Life

sqrt(1764)

Part 1: Theoretical FramingDeterministic vs. Non-Deterministic Weltanschauung Self Organisation and Interaction Agency

Part 2: Enabling Emergence(Brussels Airport Strategy Development) Modulating the Design Process: Interactive Negotiation

Deterministic ScienceThe deterministic world was based on the belief that if one could grasp the exact initial conditions of a certain phenomena, one could predict

exactly its evolution through time by using the according rules of nature.

William Blake / God The Geometer

Ernst Haeckel

Our understanding of the world around us shapes our

definition of beauty

Gödel's incompleteness theorems

If an axiomatic system can be proven to be consistent from within itself, then it is inconsistent.

1931

predictive science, the more so determinism, is limited by the precision of our measurements and that minute changes in the initial conditions of a system can lead to spectacularly different results. We shall never be able to grasp or measure to such an extent any natural event.

reactions: chaos and complexity

New Patterns Emerge

Reality is a flow of matter-energy animated from within by self-

organisation processes

(Manuel DeLanda)

#self-organisation

#emergence

#emergenceEmergence describes the unexpected appearance of novel features of a system, features which either enrich or transform the respective system into a new one.

is a set of dynamical mechanisms whereby structures appear at the global level of a system from interactions among its lower-level components

#self-organization

agency: the capacity of an entity or process to act in a given environment; consciousness

Swarm behaviours

separation alignement cohesion

by adding & changing rules you

can simulate, predict and design

distribution networks

circulation networks

urban growth

you can curate news

you can enable information to spread illegally

you can enable and foster creativity

descriptive science killed the narrative: it does not allow for the `unexpected`

it is still useful, though.

TL;DR

enter nonmodernity #BrunoLatour

#self-organisation#emergence

Objects are defined only by their network of interactions.

#ANT

We are part of the swarm of decision makers whose actions lead to the emergence of large scale structures (that we loosely call the nature-culture assemblage.)

What is our role?

Modulating The Process

the importance to create & use tools that enable meaningful interactions

(that eventually lead to the emergence of positive features)

#takeaway

Interactive Negotiation Tool

A feasibility study for a large PPP real-estate development in centre of Brussels

Usually, the deliverables are

• historical & contextual analysis • gross estimate of maximum and minimum amount of m2 • a list of possible functions that can be implemented • rough financial feasibility • volumetric studies based on zoning regulations • etc.

± 30 A4 pages.

Nevertheless,

this approach was not really going to work out

StakeholdersReal-estate developers The Vlaamse Overheid

The Architects/Urbanists

Financial Feasibility Social Impact Political Relevance Architectural & Urban Constraints

Parameters

GOV

DEV ARCH

GOV

politicians

policymakers

architects

real estatedept.

banks

investors

CSR

DEV ARCH

us

GOV

politicians

policymakers

architects

real estatedept.

banks

investors

CSR

DEV ARCH

SHORT TERM

PROFIT

COOLNESS

SOCIAL

IMPACT

QUALITY

RESIDUAL GROUND

VALUE

LONG TERM GAINS

GIN&TONIC BARS

GET

RE-E

LECT

ED

Gre

en e

nerg

y?

Too expensive.

The stakeholders did not speak the same language &

did not share the same interests

GOV

politicians

policymakers

architects

real estatedept.

banks

investors

CSR

DEV ARCH

?

A “dj mixer” that will allow intuitive control of relevant parameters, provide users with direct feedback regarding choices and be relevant to all stakeholder groups, regardless of their background.

Interactive Negotiation Tool

step#1

intuitive parametric control

friendly feedback

so much numbers

step#2

1. categorise & visualise parameters 2. hide inner-mechanics 3. emphasise end results 4. emphasise the flow of information

Strategies

First UX Sketches

kosten

inkomsten126.309.089

saldo42.429.429

42.429

42.429

42.429.429

42.429.429

6.309.089

kosten

inkomsten126.309.089

saldo42.429.429

6.309.089

IRR: 5% IRR EV: 12%

#codefaster

#codeEvenfaster

• financial development decisions • functional variety (offices, housing, hotel, leisure, etc.)

1. Categorise & Visualise Parameters

• more than 70% of information taken up by secondary calculations that only 10% of users understand

• makes it look complex&reliable

2. Hide inner mechanics

• you can not see the important numbers!!1!1 • #frigginobvious

3. Emphasise end results

4. Emphasise the flow of information

off the chartdatabase

Parameters

m2 calculations

Netto Present Value

Profit

Residual ground value

• users gain a global understanding of the process • they become aware of the trade-offs involved • they appropriate the other stakeolders; point of view

Emphasise the flow of information

so much coolso happy

Thanks!Dimitrie A. Stefanescu

dimitrie.org @idid