The accelerative thrust of information in a strange new world
In the Newtonian world of science, energy is a function of mass and velocity, you know…Einstein for babies…E=mc2.
Acceleration is the change in speed and is dependent on the force applied.
In the new world of science, energy, mass and speed are dependent on one another, invisible forces “Quanta”
are acting on particles or forces everywhere, changing constantly their behaviors and actions. These forces are perpetual,
and accelerative. Newton’s Laws are getting revamped these days by scientist, since they don’t apply in the world
of Quantum Mechanics.
Within a system things are constantly changing, until they are no longer recognizable as the same system, they have adapted
in order to survive or they perish to be absorbed by another system, this can be said of our universe as a whole, and it sounds
true in our business world, societies and organizations.
Like ripples in a pond, subtle movements act on a system to change it…and this is only a perception on your part,
provided by your sensory information. If you are blind, you do not perceive it, therefore it doesn’t happen (in your
perspective). Just as a ship at sea passes over a tectonic plate as it fractures and causes an earthquake, observers onboard
do not perceive it, no information….no event. Now the scientist who has just seen the needle on his seismometer go wild,
recording the P waves, now has information that there has been and earthquake in that area, he notifies all who might be affected
by the S waves and warns of the impending disaster as these ripples turn into tsunamis as they reach the coastal shelves.
(in the ideal world}
But in the real world of 2005 Malaysia there were no warning systems in place to alert those communities. (no information…no
perception of the event) Their first warning of the event was the receding of the shorelines.
Many had no idea what was happening, having no training in Geology or Seismology. This was evidenced by the people who
ran out to gather shellfish’ (Lack of information)
Some scientist today are saying that everything is information. The universal crux. Einstein called it the ether, he didn’t
know what it was, just that it was out there. The new concepts of Quantum Mechanics, with Quarks, meson and gluons, require
us to throw out the 17th century concept of Newtonian Physics. Which have been the basis for our business systems,
organizations and governments planning and predictions. Organizing our systems into productive entities, creating charts,
graphs and organizational structures to control our systems.
Just as we machine designers create a concept drawing of the whole machine and then break it down into systems, mechanical,
electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic and aha….controller functions. (Information) Now we write our sequence of operation,
our ladder logic and input all the variables into the controller, it now has the information needed to control the multitude
of functions. Timing is of the essence since all must occur at the precise moments and simultaneously before the monstrosity
will crank out good product at some super human rate. The client can now survive in the market place , by creating a less
expensive unit and at a faster rate. Of course none of this will occur unless the right information is provided to the controller,
and everyone involved with the process of creation.
All of these things have come to be because of fear, fear of survival, fear of keeping our jobs, fear of losing place in
the market share.
I recall designing machines, when after all was built, wired, plumbed and programmed, the tool makers or owner would look
at me and say, you designed it, you turn it on.
With knowledge and experience comes wisdom, and with wisdom you can overcome the fear of throwing that switch if you have
processed all the information properly, then it won’t “crash and burn”.
Most of these systems require many people doing their thing to make the system work. If one fails to do his job the outcome
can be delayed or at worst ....it will be a complete disaster.
As the machine controller gets inputs and sends outputs it knows where things go wrong when it grinds to a halt. We then
can troubleshoot it to replace parts, make adjustments or redesign that portion until it functions flawlessly for long periods
of operation.
This same theory applies to all organizational structures today, if the controller (CEO) is not functioning properly or
is not receiving or processing the information properly or in time, then the organization falters or fails.
Information is the key to everything…input, good, bad or none at all determines the output.
If the CEO requested info from all involved in the project, and analyzed it, then a part, person or system can be replaced,
repaired or redesigned before a breakdown occurs. This would have prevented wasted material, time and energy. In the real
world, human interaction is the driving force of the system. It is the perception of each individual in identifying information
that is crucial to the function of the system or organization that assures its success.
In this strange new world, information is critical and moving at an ever increasing pace of acceleration. We must process
this information and based on our perception of it, make a decision and formulate a plan of action. The more people involved
(the more perceptions) the more likely it will be to arrive at a plausible solution to the problem.
This explains why the Japanese have had so much success with their group analysis programs. The more people addressing
the problem, the more likely it is solved in the proper way.
The failure of most organizations is that they appoint a specialist to study the problem, create charts graphs and statistical
studies and remove too much human involvement or the boss makes a quick fix, which usually doesn’t work or only for
a while until their right back to square one.
By removing human interaction within a system we are greatly curtailing our ability to adapt to changes, and in this ever
changing world of accelerated information and technologies it is paramount to our survival that we revamp our thinking, or
perish.
If we stop fearing change, and adjust our thinking about human interaction and work together, we may succeed.
People are the greatest assests towards success, and it requires a plan, but most importantly it is the planning and adaptability
of the plan that is paramount.
If an invention or idea does not create doubt and fear in people and is not radically different, it probably won’t
succeed. Most revolutionary ideas and inventions were first perceived as insane, crazy or just a wild dream.
I continue to dream, come join me...... the future starts now.
Dennis E. Hayes
Designer
