Pattern languages can be powerful ways to represent the knowledge of a subject in a way where it can be useful for those doing something in that subject.
You are on to something here. Perhaps pattern language can help repair some of the broken thinking that comes with reductive science, where everything is split apart and the whole is lost, along with it's relationships. I am more and more convinced the physical, numerical understanding of science is failing us and the rest of nature, in a big way. Perhaps language is the way out.
Brilliant. I love this use of Pattern Language. My first response was, "Let's start now!" These things are all doable and will have a huge impact. I'm curious if/how we include decision-making structures in the pattern. I don't remember, does Alexander discuss this?
Alpha, Great article, as usual. I'd not seen this work by Alexander. I really like your application of it to the biotic pump! I did not see multi-Family buildings in Alexander's work, did I miss it? I think your draft of an environmental language has great merit! It would be fun to play with it. It would certainly help folks better understand the interrelationships, even if they were not familiar with earth's systems in the beginning, so a very beneficial addition! I'm wondering about your thoughts on biochar, since you didn't mention it.
As a sketchnoter myself, I love the idea of using pictorial/symbolic ways to demonstrate concepts regarding water, ecorestoration, permaculture, etc. And, using those images (pattern languages) to diagram systems and relationships visually. There are a lot of folks in the sketchnote and art world that make it a practice to learn, catalog and use symbols and simplified shapes/forms to convey everything from daily life objects to complex concepts.
Thanks for this. Two more important pieces that came to mind are passive irrigation (i.e. olla irrigation), and successional planting/pruning (especially starting with resilient early successional species)
*KABOOM* Folks we have lift-off ! Would there be value for this document be open source in a format that can be added to and proofed by others. It sounds like we have LOTS of interest and skills presenting themselves to build this idea out, graphics for one.
I forgot Christopher Alexander actually had like 9 volumes (his life work) related to the whole of life. Not intending that here, who knows where this will end up, but for now..... using the Pattern Language book format is fabulous. And as Alpha shows very effective. Just the end of the talk about possible solutions that can be enacted now or soon with Didi Pershouse was 15-20 patterns - from mountain snow pack, to Big Basin tree cover and transpiration, to year-round vegetated ground and rain retention.
In the words of the Bioneer's "We must dream a new world" and in that vein, our thoughts, words, beliefs and actions ARE creating our reality so let's use our LANGUAGE in the patterns to do that - so for "lessen wildfires" the language would be FIRE RESISTANT (or fire safe?) FOREST LANDS under the pattern for FIRE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS, HYDRATE the EARTH, SLOW THE FLOW, YEAR ROUND VEGETATION, etc.
I also want to put a plug in for Biochar - the earth's permanent carbon sink and water holding agent. Check out Kelpie Wilson's new book! And paired with biologically complete compost is a wonderful tool for regeneration of health, soil, resources, cyclical resilience.
How exciting ! Discussion and action towards life in balance - not just tragedy and problems.
PS. If Christopher Alexander is still alive - a big hats off to him and his vision and teachings!!
Hi Shannon, glad you are excited about this.... I don't have the time to finish the pattern language, but maybe you know others who want to take what I have written, and complete the project.
yeah... wow.... I'm curious to see where this goes via Substack.
While walking the dog I was thinking of others who have done significant work in specific areas like Andrew Millison, Jack Weiss, Javan Bernackevitch, Brad Lancaster, Darren Dougherty/Regrarians (who is merging with John Kempf's Kind Harvest platform), Didi Pershouse,Walter Jejune, Raleigh Latham, Andre Lui, etc.
It started to feel too big to get my mind around the vastness of resources to "pattern". And then again - maybe the info is already there and it only need to be patterned? Per your excellent reference to Agile Canon (who knew this has become a thing??)
" In the hands of a good writer, the pattern format’s descriptive power is stunning. Each pattern in “Alexandrian format” stands independently, describing a context, a problem, the forces that constrain solutions, a solution that reconciles the forces and solves the problem, examples that illustrate its use, and the resulting context. When we understand why a solution is needed, we remember and use it."
I'm holding 'space' for this in awe of possibility and holding the intent the right people will resonate and give this idea wings. Maybe something addressed at the next Global Earth Repair Summit ? Maybe that is the kick off for a crowdsourced type of online resource? A call is put out to Earth Repair resource hubs to submit patterns written in the specific format noted above and then they are OCR scanned and AI catalogs them? (Possible or just crazy?)
Obviously, the idea has been seeded- as evidenced by your post in July 20 2024 on how pattern languages can explain complex topics!!
One last note : in the book The Bio-Integrated Farm by Shawn Jadrnicek on page 4 writes "I've come to the conclusion that something very special happens when a component within a design exceeds seven functions. Once the magic odd number of seven is breached, the design takes on life of its own. For a componentto perform seven functions it must be so connected with the surrounding environment that it takes on a new autonomous , lifelike quality. I refer to this quality as bio-integration, to represent the new life born into the design once seven functions are reached."
This concepts fascinates and awes me.... we are not alone on this path of regenerating life. (and Shawn Jadrnicek references Christopher Alexander and his pattern languaging, as well as Mollison's permaculture directive of 'stacking functions').
Interesting proposition. Pattern language maybe useful to construct a software and follow a plan of action. However, what to do to restore will come from study the hydrology, the winds, the landscape, the biodiversity. But maybe the software could give an idea which element has more weight in each area to consider, according to the pattern. A method of analysis.
You are on to something here. Perhaps pattern language can help repair some of the broken thinking that comes with reductive science, where everything is split apart and the whole is lost, along with it's relationships. I am more and more convinced the physical, numerical understanding of science is failing us and the rest of nature, in a big way. Perhaps language is the way out.
yeah pattern languages work to integrate parts into a larger whole
Awesome, Alpha!! I love Alexander’s work, and this adaptation for water issues will definitely work! Can’t wait for the book(s) and website!
Great work. You may also want to check Brad Lancaster’s books “Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands”.
Brilliant. I love this use of Pattern Language. My first response was, "Let's start now!" These things are all doable and will have a huge impact. I'm curious if/how we include decision-making structures in the pattern. I don't remember, does Alexander discuss this?
the idea is that you can choose from the various patterns when you design. Thats your decision....... There are also patterns for decision making https://www.smartdatacollective.com/pattern-language-decision-making/
Alpha, Great article, as usual. I'd not seen this work by Alexander. I really like your application of it to the biotic pump! I did not see multi-Family buildings in Alexander's work, did I miss it? I think your draft of an environmental language has great merit! It would be fun to play with it. It would certainly help folks better understand the interrelationships, even if they were not familiar with earth's systems in the beginning, so a very beneficial addition! I'm wondering about your thoughts on biochar, since you didn't mention it.
thanks. biochar is a great way to improve the soil, so yeah its a pattern that fits in here.
As a sketchnoter myself, I love the idea of using pictorial/symbolic ways to demonstrate concepts regarding water, ecorestoration, permaculture, etc. And, using those images (pattern languages) to diagram systems and relationships visually. There are a lot of folks in the sketchnote and art world that make it a practice to learn, catalog and use symbols and simplified shapes/forms to convey everything from daily life objects to complex concepts.
Something like this? https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/installing-natural-infrastructure-can-impact-water-and-carbon-budgets-dryland-streams
yeah thats a nice integrative figure
Yes a series of pictorials for each pattern would be great
I love this application of pattern language to regenerate natural water flow!
Thanks for this. Two more important pieces that came to mind are passive irrigation (i.e. olla irrigation), and successional planting/pruning (especially starting with resilient early successional species)
*KABOOM* Folks we have lift-off ! Would there be value for this document be open source in a format that can be added to and proofed by others. It sounds like we have LOTS of interest and skills presenting themselves to build this idea out, graphics for one.
I forgot Christopher Alexander actually had like 9 volumes (his life work) related to the whole of life. Not intending that here, who knows where this will end up, but for now..... using the Pattern Language book format is fabulous. And as Alpha shows very effective. Just the end of the talk about possible solutions that can be enacted now or soon with Didi Pershouse was 15-20 patterns - from mountain snow pack, to Big Basin tree cover and transpiration, to year-round vegetated ground and rain retention.
In the words of the Bioneer's "We must dream a new world" and in that vein, our thoughts, words, beliefs and actions ARE creating our reality so let's use our LANGUAGE in the patterns to do that - so for "lessen wildfires" the language would be FIRE RESISTANT (or fire safe?) FOREST LANDS under the pattern for FIRE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS, HYDRATE the EARTH, SLOW THE FLOW, YEAR ROUND VEGETATION, etc.
I also want to put a plug in for Biochar - the earth's permanent carbon sink and water holding agent. Check out Kelpie Wilson's new book! And paired with biologically complete compost is a wonderful tool for regeneration of health, soil, resources, cyclical resilience.
How exciting ! Discussion and action towards life in balance - not just tragedy and problems.
PS. If Christopher Alexander is still alive - a big hats off to him and his vision and teachings!!
Hi Shannon, glad you are excited about this.... I don't have the time to finish the pattern language, but maybe you know others who want to take what I have written, and complete the project.
yeah... wow.... I'm curious to see where this goes via Substack.
While walking the dog I was thinking of others who have done significant work in specific areas like Andrew Millison, Jack Weiss, Javan Bernackevitch, Brad Lancaster, Darren Dougherty/Regrarians (who is merging with John Kempf's Kind Harvest platform), Didi Pershouse,Walter Jejune, Raleigh Latham, Andre Lui, etc.
It started to feel too big to get my mind around the vastness of resources to "pattern". And then again - maybe the info is already there and it only need to be patterned? Per your excellent reference to Agile Canon (who knew this has become a thing??)
" In the hands of a good writer, the pattern format’s descriptive power is stunning. Each pattern in “Alexandrian format” stands independently, describing a context, a problem, the forces that constrain solutions, a solution that reconciles the forces and solves the problem, examples that illustrate its use, and the resulting context. When we understand why a solution is needed, we remember and use it."
I'm holding 'space' for this in awe of possibility and holding the intent the right people will resonate and give this idea wings. Maybe something addressed at the next Global Earth Repair Summit ? Maybe that is the kick off for a crowdsourced type of online resource? A call is put out to Earth Repair resource hubs to submit patterns written in the specific format noted above and then they are OCR scanned and AI catalogs them? (Possible or just crazy?)
Obviously, the idea has been seeded- as evidenced by your post in July 20 2024 on how pattern languages can explain complex topics!!
One last note : in the book The Bio-Integrated Farm by Shawn Jadrnicek on page 4 writes "I've come to the conclusion that something very special happens when a component within a design exceeds seven functions. Once the magic odd number of seven is breached, the design takes on life of its own. For a componentto perform seven functions it must be so connected with the surrounding environment that it takes on a new autonomous , lifelike quality. I refer to this quality as bio-integration, to represent the new life born into the design once seven functions are reached."
This concepts fascinates and awes me.... we are not alone on this path of regenerating life. (and Shawn Jadrnicek references Christopher Alexander and his pattern languaging, as well as Mollison's permaculture directive of 'stacking functions').
Do check out Darren's Work. He's been collaborating with Andrew Jeeves, who's a Original Permie from 80s. http://www.regrarians.org/regrarians-handbook/
The Graphic didn't come through there.... but you're re-inventing a lot of Darren's work: http://www.regrarians.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/all-logos-v4-hires-840px.png
Looks good
Alpha, I think it's time for you to write a book. ;-)
I am writing one!
Exciting!!
Full wisdom! Great work.
Thanks
Wow there’s a lot there. Love the notion of pattern language. Definitely on board with that
Interesting proposition. Pattern language maybe useful to construct a software and follow a plan of action. However, what to do to restore will come from study the hydrology, the winds, the landscape, the biodiversity. But maybe the software could give an idea which element has more weight in each area to consider, according to the pattern. A method of analysis.