Experimental Design System

The experimental design system is the structural counterpart and complement to the advanced systems science program. Whereas the advanced systems science program is kind of top-down approach, experimental design systems is a ground up approach that emphasizes creative exploration and empirical experimentation of alternative systems. In a sense the entire emphasis is in a direction diametrically opposed the the approach taken by advanced systems in that its emphasis is upon synthesis rather than analysis and upon functional productivity rather than upon functional understanding and knowledge. It would tend therefore to follow an encounter approach in decision making rather than a set-piece planning style, and its purpose is to yield a robust, multi-functional system that can achieve results and prove itself effective under a wide variety of conditions.

I see this as focused around a general multi-purpose laboratory with extended facilities. I believe that the proper location of such a facility is in a rural farmstead.

The object of this system is to foster a set of experimental conditions that are as self-contained and holistically integrated as possible.

The kind of exchange program that this system focuses upon is the revitalization of rural communities, and the decentralization of urban environments.

It can offer a platform of direct subsistence aid to agriculturalists worldwide circumventing bureaucratic interference.

The design development laboratory is the heart of the entire system. It is the center of all creative activity and constructive work in the system. It is also the cybernetic brain of the entire system. It is therefore worthwhile to consider the structure of this system in greater detail.

I propose a design development laboratory that is based on a central facility for mini-modeling, combined with computers. It should be located on a small experimental farm that is peripheral to an open woodland-meadow area as well as to a water system. The experimental farm facilities would combine as well an experimental green house system. It would also have experimental educational facilities attached to it. It would also combine experimental production facilities that would be connected to the central facilities primarily to experiment with primitive production techniques and to prototype alternative design configurations, and for production of all related facilities. The purpose of the production facilities is multipurpose, as are all the facilities. It is therefore imperative that all facilities are based on principles of modularization. They must be transportable units that can be rearranged in a variety of ways.