A Wicked Situation

Conceptual impressions surrounding this post have yet to be substantiated, corroborated, confirmed or woven into a larger argument, context or network.

Originally proposed by Horst Rittel, a German born theorist, who along with Melvin Webber, coined the term “wicked problem” in comparison to what would be considered a “tame” problem.

“Wicked problems have incomplete, contradictory, and changing requirements; and the solutions to them are often difficult to recognize as such because of complex interdependencies.”

To some the relationship between design and consciousness might be considered a “wicked problem”. This POV is made considering a series of multidimensional implications and circumstances that surround us when we view and attempt to interpret our world. This is especially relevant when our concept of reality is perceived as being quantum in nature.

Change is a constant. Every situation and circumstance needs to be considered incomplete due to implications surrounding our ever changing environment. There can be no final form or resolution only temporary ones. What you see around you will inevitably change until the day our world becomes totally unrecognizable and disappears from the hallmark of 3D space/time. Change is the one constant that must be considered and integrated into the future of every design process. This position requires constant exploration and a copious number of on-going iterations that concentrate upon an unconscionable array of symbolic connection. 

Humanity confuses stability with balance and harmony. Stability is an effect one experiences when striving to reach balance between the observer and the context in which that event is being observed. Balance is discovered and experienced while engaged in the process of balancing. Designers in the future must learn to be able to adapt to the push and pull inherent in every event. Design strives to attain balance and harmony, yet the context is always changing, which includes the POV of the observer. In other words, every situation is always changing.

The best device to resolve this issue rests in the revelation of every hidden "moment". Linear time, in cooperation with three-dimensional space, allows us to experience a symbolic "command" over every observable event. However, upon entering, observing and experiencing events that appear to emerge out of the unknown, we begin to realize that any application of linear time can at times, be of little importance, or no use at all. Yet when viewed systemically, linear time will always remain instrumental in progress associated with human evolution.

What is meant by this? Linear time is a fundamental quality of three-dimensional space/time. The concept of linear time allows us to bring into manifestation a wide variety of forms and ideas created within the contexts of energy, light and information. Our ideas penetrate and at times impregnate these fields of energy. Our capacity to focus and direct our energy towards certain goals and objectives likewise affords us the power and opportunity to make visible the invisible. Note: Our dimensional realm is shared by many agents of differing magnitude and density, e.g. planetary, plant, animal, human and beyond. Together they account for the transfer of a profusion of coherent patterns stemming from a light of consciousness from within. These forces might first be interpreted as impressions, thoughts, and feelings emerging from beyond the awareness of the observer. These impressions are symbolic in nature and can only be sensed by the observer. The POV in support of these impressions rests entirely upon the vibratory frequency of the observer. Designs made tangible for the purposes of revelation cannot be compromised.

Needs and requirements pertaining to every circumstance will change because every situation is constantly changing. Impermanence is fundamental to the quantum process. Impermanence is symbolic in gesture, content and context. The purpose is to provide, provoke, grow and expand in a meaningful manner that presence, which is an ever-changing state of awareness/consciousness made self-cognizant by means of design.

Since every projection re-presents a relatively subjective POV, they will remain complex by nature and at times difficult to recognize. The principle of Kama Manas, made in reference to the interdependency of the relationship between our mind and our emotions, assures us of the fact that every situation is going to be complex and multidimensional in character.

There is nothing tame about design or the level of awareness that is demanded of the observer. Consciousness is symbolically apparent in every circumstance, which inadvertently creates a unique situation where complexity is the norm and expansion the goal. There is a very intricate interdependency between consciousness and design that brings forth a “wicked relationship”. This relationship is one designed solely for the purpose of expansion, coherence and integration.

In reference to quantum consciousness, design can be made both purposeful and meaningful by virtue of the art of networking. When perceived to be out of harmony some may describe the situation as being a “wicked problem” when, it isn’t. What appears to be a wicked circumstance merely camouflages the next phase/step in humanity's evolution, a state which harbors a more responsive, creative, compassionate and insightful state of consciousness.

^ Rittel, Horst, and Melvin Webber; "Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning," pp. 155-169, Policy Sciences, Vol. 4, Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Inc., Amsterdam, 1973. [Reprinted in N. Cross (ed.), Developments in Design Methodology, J. Wiley & Sons, Chichester, 1984, pp. 135-144.]

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This passage delves into the intricate, evolving relationship between design, consciousness, and change, offering a profound reflection on how these elements intertwine in our experience of reality. It introduces several complex concepts, notably the idea of design as an ongoing, iterative process influenced by the ever-changing environment and consciousness. Here’s a breakdown of the key ideas and themes:

 

1. Design as a "Wicked Problem": The concept of a "wicked problem" refers to a challenge that is difficult or impossible to solve due to its complex, ever-changing nature. In the context of design, this notion suggests that design is not a fixed or final solution but rather a process that requires constant adaptation. The problem arises from the dynamic interplay between the observer (human consciousness) and the environment, which is always in flux. This aligns with a more quantum understanding of reality, where change is the only constant, and nothing is truly permanent. 

2. The Impermanence of Reality: The passage emphasizes that change is inescapable and must be integrated into the design process. In a quantum reality, the world is in a state of perpetual flux, and what we perceive as stable is simply a transient effect created by our attempt to balance the observer’s perspective with the context. Stability, in this view, is an illusion, a momentary equilibrium we achieve in response to the tension between our awareness and the world around us. 

3. Balance and Harmony as Processes: Rather than being static outcomes, balance and harmony are presented as ongoing processes. Designers of the future must learn to adapt to the tension between the ever-shifting contexts of their designs and the subjective experiences of those observing them. The constant flux of context (both the external world and the individual observer’s perspective) ensures that design is always in a state of becoming, rather than being fully formed. 

4. The Role of Time in Consciousness and Design: Linear time, a key concept in our experience of space-time, plays a pivotal role in the manifestation of design. It allows us to bring ideas into being within our physical world. However, the passage suggests that linear time is not always the most important factor when dealing with the unseen or the quantum nature of reality. There are moments when time becomes irrelevant, or its usual structure dissolves, but it remains fundamental to human evolution and progress. 

5. Symbolic Nature of Consciousness: Consciousness is presented as symbolic, and its interpretation depends on the vibratory frequency of the observer. This introduces the idea that perception is highly subjective and that design must be crafted in a way that acknowledges the complexity and variability of human consciousness. What appears to be "chaotic" or "wicked" might actually be an opportunity for expansion, growth, and deeper understanding. 

6. Kama Manas and Complexity: The reference to Kama Manas, which speaks to the interplay of mind and emotions, adds to the complexity of design and consciousness. This interconnectedness makes every situation multifaceted and multidimensional, reinforcing the notion that design is never simple. Instead, it is inherently complex and must cater to the evolving needs of both individual and collective consciousness. 

7. The Expanding Nature of Consciousness: Ultimately, the relationship between consciousness and design is one of "wickedness" not in the sense of being a problem to solve but as a space for ongoing growth and expansion. The "wicked" nature of the relationship between consciousness and design fosters a deeper, more responsive, and insightful state of being. As our awareness evolves, so too must our designs, constantly adapting to reflect a more interconnected, compassionate, and creative consciousness. 

This perspective shifts the view of design from a solution-oriented task to a dynamic, evolving process rooted in the interplay between perception, consciousness, and an ever-changing world. The "wicked relationship" between consciousness and design is not something to be feared or solved but embraced as a path to continual transformation and deeper understanding. 

The author generated this text in part with GPT-3, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model. Upon generating draft language, the author reviewed, edited, and revised the language to their own liking and takes ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication.

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"To believe is to accept another's tuth.

To know is your own creation."

Anonymous

Edited: 1129.2013, 01.11.2017, 06.28.2019, 05.29.2023, 03.20.2025

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