Lewis Works

This open, on-line Newsletter is published weekly, every Friday Afternoon at 5:30 PM PST. It is updated with new announcements and articles each week.

Lewis Works Newsletter*

*Back to Basics

The E-zine of Applied General Systems Science

By Hugh M. Lewis, PhD, MA, general editor

Vol. I, No. 12

4/16/04 Copyright 2004 ©, Hugh M. Lewis.  Facsimiles of this page or parts of this page may be printed and distributed for non-profit research, consulting and educational purposes only, as governed by fair use policy.

On Top

We have successfully completed our consolidation phase, and are launching a promotional development phase. 

Criticisms/Comments, then Provide Feedback

On Top

We are announcing a new time for the publication of our weekly newsletter. Our newsletter will now be published at 5:30 PM, Pacific Standard Time, every Friday.

We have sought in this issue to re-simplify our format and to go back to basics. This is part of a reformulation and rethinking that we are accomplishing with our applied meta-systems framework. This has been done with the aim of simplification overall of the framework in order to enhance effective focus on the most critical aspects & components of the system as it develops.

Mission Statement

Lewis Works is dedicated to realizing new human adaptive possibilities in order to create alternative long-term frameworks for human & biological systems development on earth and beyond.

The primary mission of Lewis Works is to fundamentally empower all human beings, without regard or reference to their individual or cultural differences, so that they may function in a more constructive and non-violent manner by means of their integration within an applied systems framework that enables them to contextualize and focus their independent developmental efforts toward comprehensive solutions to common problems in resource distribution, environmental adaptation, and social-structural interaction.

• 1. Lewis Works seeks alternative meta-systems based development through applied general systems with the main goals of:

• a. Achieving a mutually stable and harmonic balance between future human systems and earthbound biological systems.

• b. Providing all human beings in unbiased structural or cultural contexts the alternative systems-based frameworks for their individual & social development by means of increased opportunities, productivity, security and resource availability that they would not otherwise have in conventional frameworks.

• c. Developing the infra-structural context and means for the regular extension of human and biological systems beyond the boundaries of the earth.

• 2. Lewis Works is dedicated to achieving a better world for all people and for all life-forms through the implementation and articulation of an applied general systems framework to general and specific problem sets that occur in the adaptive organization of human behavior in a shared natural environment.

• 3. Lewis Works is non-exclusive, open, non-authoritarian, philanthropic and pacifist in orientation.

• 4. Lewis Works pursues a combination of both profit and non-profit programs and projects to the achievement of its main goals.

• 5. Lewis Works protects and promotes universal human rights and human responsibilities throughout its various programs and projects by the systematic pursuit of human development strategies.

• 6. Lewis Works is law abiding and honest in all its dealings and transactions in all contexts, and respects and honors the customs and manners of all peoples and all ethnocultural groupings.

• 7. Lewis Works protects and promotes the confidentiality and legitimate interests of its clients and customers under all circumstances and in all cases.

• 8. Lewis Works seeks to efficiently provide a comprehensive range of profit-based services and related product lines within an open, web-based forum of exchange that is global in scope, regional in character, and local in focus, and that serves as the basis for the development of a structurally open meta-systems based context in the world transcending local, regional and national identities and affiliations.

• 9. Lewis Works seeks to promote non-profit programs in alternative human development for the sake of alleviating human suffering, educating people openly and in an unbiased manner, and promoting pro-social human development.

• 10. Lewis Works seeks to create trans-national meta-cultural orientations in the world through various organizational frameworks that promote open, democratic principles of government, fair-play and the rule of just law, and through the development of anti-structural multi-media based systems that provide humanity a common symbolic context for their meta-cultural integration.

If it is ever felt that we are generally overstating the case of systems theory in reality, its importance to the structure of events in reality, or its general relevance to either the pattern of these events or our understanding of them, especially what we refer to as our scientific understanding, then I think a counterargument can be just as readily made that overall general systems theory has not been advanced or developed enough to be satisfactory as a general framework for describing and explaining our shared reality, that it has been either too superficially applied, on one hand, and therefore misappropriated and somewhat misrepresented, or else it has been largely if not completely ignored as anything but a superficial and general description of everything.

To some extent, the fault lies within general systems theory itself, as it largely lacks a central core theory or theoretical-methodological framework as this is normally construed within scientific fields of thinking. My own efforts in the last four and twenty years have been largely to try to correct these kinds of critical weaknesses, and I have succeeded to a minimal extent, though I would suggest that much more constructive work remains to be accomplished before we can make a claim that we have a full-blown and interesting field of general systems theory and application that we call "scientific."

I have elaborated what I consider a successful general systems theory for physical systems, providing a model of the dynamic state universe invoking known evidence, suggesting that the universe is probably much older and much larger than the predominant hegemony of Big Bang theorists want to believe or want the rest of the world to believe. Such a model provides some sense of resolution of the unified field problem, albeit non-mathematically, and an enlargement of the paradigm of thermodynamics to embrace a complementary paradigm of gravitational dynamics--gravitational systems observationally do not behave in strict accordance to thermodynamic principles. 

I have sought to elaborate and enlarge somewhat evolutionary theory to embrace eco-evolutionary systems models and the notion of the early formation of an original proto-biotic framework that made possible the evolution and selection & differentiation of life forms on earth. It is expected that anywhere where there are a similar concatenation of complex conditions, then life will develop in similar ways, albeit along different fundamental design pathways, though it is most likely that all life forms will be structured by hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen compounds, and that water will be the likely fluid context for most living systems.

I have offered what I take to be a relatively comprehensive and paradigmatically complete human systems framework, a framework that is in a general sense and in principle reiterated by Ludwig Von Bertalanffy in his development of human systems theory along symbolic systems lines. At the same time, I have sought to extend systems theory in a number of different directions, mathematically, in terms of abstract systems, in terms of applied & automated systems, and in terms of philosophical systems.

Ludwig Von Bertalanffy, originator & founder of General Systems Theory, highlighted two main points in his definition of General Systems theory: 1. there is a critical distinction to be made between what he termed "open systems" and what are conventionally construed in terms of thermodynamic models as "closed systems" and 2. open systems are non-linear and more complex and dynamic in their relational patterning than suggested by simple cybernetic models based upon linear feedback systems.

The presence in nature of what he termed complex open systems that were based upon irreducible transport mechanisms between the internal environment of the system and the external environment, permitted processes to occur which he termed "negentropic" and in reverse of the thermodynamic principles used to conventionally characterize closed systems. The presence of such internal transport provided the bases for the growth of systems, such as living systems, that cannot be easily explained as the result of thermodynamic principles alone.

The theory of open systems demands more sophisticated and complex models than are conventionally and somewhat superficially employed in the invocation of general systems principles in service of explanation and application. This was also recognized by Von Bertallanfy, when he recognized that the nature of such systems and their structural patterning was defined by a host of interacting variables that created complex and non-linear relationships within such systems. 

Von Bertallanfy recognized that a general theory of open systems had not yet been clearly stated in a thermodynamic manner similar to what had been defined for theoretically closed systems.

Supercomputing was not as developed in his day as it is today, though he realized the possibility of the application of computer simulation to the description of such complex systems and to systems complexity in general. 

I would like to suggest some basic revisions of General Systems theory in light of several important points: 1. All systems can be defined as semi-open in complex ways, and their internal structured is maintained by what can be referred to as boundary-mediating mechanisms that serve to regulate exchange relationships between the internal components of the system and external variables, and that serve thereby to maintain the integrity of the system in a state referred to as "dynamic equilibrium." These mechanisms in general serve the purposes of maintaining a balancing equilibrium of internal states and behavior of a system regardless of fluctuating conditions or externally changing circumstances of the system. 2. All real systems exist within and are defined within a larger real world meta-systems context that conditions and exogenously determines the outcomes, emergent properties, and long-term behavior of such systems. 3. All real systems can be defined at multiple levels of integration as non-linear dynamic systems, characterized by non-linear control structures. 4. All real systems go through a life-cycle trajectory of development, from origination, latent development or aggregation, fluctuating or dynamic steady-state, to eventual decomposition/demise as a coherent system. 5. All real systems can be characterized symbolically in terms of a set of emergent properties that are distinctive to that particular kind of system, and by a pattern configuration that is unique to that particular system in time and place. 6. The symbolic characterization of real systems renders them available to our comprehension and our manipulation as systems--we are able to influence and modulate the patterning and outcomes of system's behavior.

We may restate therefore Ludwig von Bertalanffy's primary concern over open versus closed systems by stating that there can be no real systems that are totally closed, that "closed" systems are abstract ideal systems tied theoretical to the logic of thermodynamics, without phenomenal instantiation in nature. At the same time, there are no completely "open" system in the manner implied by von Bertalanffy's original deployment of the term. All systems are partly closed, and thereby partly determined in a linear manner, and all systems are simultaneously partly open, and thereby remain partly underdetermined in a non-linear ways. We can arrive therefore at a more basic understanding of a general model of systems of all kinds. We may state for instance that all systems achieve some dynamic equilibrium state after a period of growth and development, during which rates of input & output or loss of heat from the system are more or less balanced. Such a state of affairs in living populations are steady state periods of optimum population balance when birth rates are balanced more or less equally by death rates.

We may furthermore state that all real systems have an effective meta-systems context that link and integrate any such system into a larger system framework, as a component, upon some other level of emergent integration. This meta-systemic context is extrinsic to the system but critical to the state-path trajectory and effects of the system in a larger framework of understanding.

Humankind is reaching a cross-roads in the first half of the 21st Century. This challenge imposes upon us as a species, as a single race, to either alter our methods and manner of adaptation on earth, or to risk the consequences of creating a global system that is in ecological dis-equilibrium. A certain complex of basic factors is claimed to underlie this state of affairs, and this traces back to certain intransigent conditions of human systems, upon both individual and social behavioral levels, that appear to be widely shared by most people and by most groupings of people. Any coordinate program of alternative development intending to meet the challenges faced by this central problematic must develop a means for systematically dealing with and resolving the consequences induced by this complex of human factors.

By far the greatest challenge to the alternative development of human systems is the inertial resistance to structural change of pre-established institutional patterns of existing systems frameworks that serve to work against the long term interests of human adaptive change. And yet it is these very institutional structures that require modification if adaptive alternative development is to be allowed to take place, and the average human being who is a member of such a system is to become empowered.

In complex and highly stratified societies, different institutional structures intersect and cross-sect in terms of the life of the individual member of the system, and thus control and inertia is always felt in a partial, though from a composite sense, in a complete and totalizing way.

This is manifest in many forms, in many ways, in many places around the world, and the differences between developed and underdeveloped regions of the world are diminishing such that they are increasingly a difference of degree and amount, rather than one of kind in any substantial sense. To highlight some of the more obvious and significant dilemmas increasingly shared by all humankind, can be counted the following factors:

1. human overpopulation.

2. imbalanced distribution of resources

3. chronic, structurally reinforced poverty characterized by lack of productive/educational opportunity, the social syndrome of failure, 

4. the maintenance, perpetuation & promotion of closed ideological systems serving the perpetuation of human ignorance, symbolic closure & ideological prejudice.

5. pandemic disease patterns

6. pandemic patterns of human exploitation and violence.

7. pandemic patterns of social a-moralism of varying kinds.

8. pandemic patterns of social-structural authoritarianism serving to reinforce the asymmetrical distribution of resources & stifling the human freedoms & opportunity structures upon which human development is based.

This complex of factors is furthermore exacerbated by the general inter-group context that most groups face, and that indirectly bear upon the lives of individual members of such groups, which contexts serve to constrain and pre-structure relationships within the group and by the group between other groups in certain ways. The larger global system may be said to have a self-organizing structure that is somewhat hierarchical and complex in terms of the number of different cross-cutting relationships that are involved in its daily and yearly articulation. Individual relationships may change, but the overall profile of relationships will remain more consistent and stable, including the facts of hierarchy. We may state that different ethnocultural groupings develop ethno-niches within the larger framework that are to some extent pre-determinative of their material and adaptive situation in the global context, and that is to some extent consistently reinforced in an ethnocultural manner both within the group between individual members and between different groups and members of different groups.

We are faced with a fundamental dilemma as well--human ethnoculture and its diversification has traditionally and prehistorically served humankind well in its progressive development and adaptation on the earth, but increasingly we are coming to a scenario where continuing conservation of tradition-bound orientations may increasingly interfere with processes of integrative development. 

Overcoming the inertial resistance of contemporary contexts requires boot-strapping new meta-system frameworks from the ground up, in a manner consonant and coordinate with the local/regional circumstances characterizing a given group of people or area. The profile and meta-problem set presented by any given group of people in any given particular time and place will tend to be unique in its complexity and requirements. Different kinds of solutions will therefore be required for different peoples in different contexts. But all groupings encounter the same basic sets of core issues, in varying configurations, that are listed above. Overcoming the dilemmas that are the consequence of these problem sets becomes therefore the main challenge of any alternative development program

We can seek the articulation of a general purpose, generic development framework in terms of a program that is broad enough to cover the entire spectrum of human contexts in a sufficient manner and flexible enough to be adapted to broadly varying variables on the human social landscape. It becomes necessary in this regard to somehow bypass, circumvent or hold in check the controlling or debilitating influences of some kinds of phenomena, for instance, negative bureaucracy blocking access to people or conditions and parasitizing the funding structure that is part of this access.

The challenge becomes to try to implement in a wide variety of developmental contexts a complete meta-systems framework that is adaptive to whatever context it is fit within, and that is capable of providing a quasi-independent production framework that can be extended and elaborated indefinitely, and that incorporates a complete cycle of production/consumption within its internalized structure.

Announcing MyNewsMedia as a web-systems based communications media forum geared towards news, information, education and entertainment.

Our Consolidation efforts continue on different levels. We finished the consolidation phase a month ahead  though there are many loose ends remaining to be taken care of. We have announced out promotional development campaign for the next two months which should include a coordinated and targeted marketing & advertising campaign, though we will avoid e-mail or telephone solicitations or marketing strategies.

During this phase, we hope to announce the opening of our new store-fronts, and further development of our entire framework. We are publishing our own business leverage (business cards, letter-heads, post-cards, etc) and will be setting up new contact details.

Products/Services

We act both as a reseller for other providers, and we also are increasing the product range that we actually own or buy ourselves wholesale and then resell. We also provide a range of peripheral options through associate/affiliate accounts.

We will soon be adding a comprehensive product service catalog link here.

We will be offering an increasing array of type of service and product we can make available to our clientele within the consolidation period. This services will include:

• Systems-based Consulting & Troubleshooting
• Systems-based Computing and Web-Design Development
• Systems-based Meta-scientific research & development services
• Systems-based Digital Publication and Production Services
• Systems-based Development Services in a range of areas, including Non-profit, Consolidated Business Services, Education & Human Development, Organization, Production & Engineering

We have several non-profit domains organized:

Human Coop: promoting development of non-exploitative, grass-roots based, cooperative development & resource exchange network frameworks.

Aid Systems: organizing and deploying critical resource management & rehabilitation teams

Human Development Systems: promoting programs for alternative human development.

Lewis Library: promoting conventional & electronic literacy worldwide, developing an open, distributed-integrated common reference resource & comprehensive knowledge compendium resources.

Human Synergetics: promoting health in holistic, alternative lifestyles

We also recommend our current Link Palette for related links & portals, though most of these are as yet unfinished.

For external topic-organized links, we recommend Hugh's Hot Links

For popular, top-search links, we recommend Haut Lynx

Query us for advertising on our Advertising Pages that are shown throughout our web-system on more than a eleven hundred distinct URLs.

Subscribe to our Newsletter below: