Presented to OSS ’04 16 April 2004.
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A Model of
the operational subsystems and dynamics within
Intelligent Systems
(individual, organizational, societal)
information (perception) <-> reflection <-> action <-> information (feedback)
To increase systemic intelligence,
increase the quality of each of these and of the relationships between them.
INTENT shapes the operations of the entire system, and can be modified
• informational intent = interest, curiosity, vigilance, receptivity
• reflective intent = purpose, relevance, values, need, concern
• action intent = will, motive, impulse
INFORMATION SYSTEMS - perception, memory, databases, publications, intelligence
activities, communication, networks, presentations, images, statistics, narratives, etc.
OPERATION: Notice, pull in, organize, store and deliver data to (and from) the reflection systems
according to relevance (which is closely related to the prevailing assumptions, worldviews and narratives
of the intelligent system, as well as to the demands of the situation). (Accumulated useful information
becomes knowledge and memory which, with breadth, depth and compassion, can become wisdom.)
REFLECTION SYSTEMS - thought, computation, analysis, learning, debate, dialogue,
deliberation, scenarios, judgment, meditation, creativity, etc.
OPERATION: Process relevant information into understandings that orient the intelligent system in -- and
enable it to successfully engage with -- its changing world. (The ability to do this in a changing
environment is learning.) Generate relevant guidance, decisions, solutions, plans, policies, foresight,
visions, etc., to shape action to satisfy the goals, needs, values and ethical standards of the intelligent
system in relation to the world.
ACTION SYSTEMS - implementation, projects, programs, institutional structures, bodies,
operations, behavior, habits, activities, handlings, work, practice, etc.
OPERATION: Engage with the world according to the guidance, plans, decisions, visions and solutions
generated by the reflection systems. Bring forth change and stability, artifacts and services, value added
and healthy relationships with the world. Gather (for the information systems) raw data about successes
and failures, conditions and resources, challenges and satisfactions.
THE WORLD - reality; context and relationship; friends and enemies; problems and
opportunities; resources and obstacles. Remember: The world has needs of its own.
OPERATION: Provide reality checks to the intelligent system. Provide resources, conditions and
dynamics that, when worked with, sustain the intelligent system. Provide depth and scope from which
reflective systems can derive meaning and a context for ongoing inquiry.
Tom Atlee • cii@igc.org • Co-Intelligence Institute • PO Box 493 • Eugene, OR 97403 • co-intelligence.org
Presented to OSS ’04 16 April 2004.
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QUALITY OF INFORMATION - some dimensions of information quality
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representative of diverse viewpoints
fair - or else bias is explicit and source is known
accurate, valid
adequate quantity (enough but not too much)
expandable - more data available where and when needed
clarity of underlying assumptions, history, context, etc.
possible data regarding potential outcomes: risk assessments, consequence scenarios, tradeoffs, costs-benefits, etc.
• timeliness
• transparency - openness to inspection
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QUALITY OF REFLECTION - some dimensions of reflection quality
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inclusion of diverse viewpoints, which are fairly taken in and considered
openness to change, challenge and other forms of dissonance
weighing the likely bias of information, given its source(s) or circumstance(s)
inclusion of -- and competent use of -- different cognitive modes (reason, heart, intuition,
narrative, etc.)
appropriate use of deliberative time and resources depending on urgency, importance,
complexity, etc.
appreciation of interconnections, the big picture, complexity, etc.
appreciation and creative use of uncertainty, nuance, paradox, and other non-absolutist
approaches to knowing -- including humility and humor
creativity, ability to "think outside the box"
ability to identify differences, similarities, identities, relationships and relative importances
groundedness in explicit values (in the case of a community, shared values)
transparency - openness to inspection
QUALITY OF ACTION - some dimensions of action quality
• timeliness
• elegance, optimization, economy - achieving a desired yield with minimal expenditure (of
effort, energy, money, time) and with little waste or extraneous impact
• appropriateness - good fit with both environmental realities and intelligent system's
purposes
• coherence, integrity - congruence with other activities and values of the system
• transparency - openness to inspection
• reviewability - generates -- or enables the generation of -- information that can be used to
review outcomes of action
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Tom Atlee • cii@igc.org • Co-Intelligence Institute • PO Box 493 • Eugene, OR 97403 • co-intelligence.org