Information-Sharing Synergies Workshop

Please see Information-Sharing Synergy Workshop outcomes

Agenda for Friday 18th May 2007

This was the second of Four Synergy Workshops

Previous talks on Synergy


1) to define information
2) to look for synergies in systems that share it.

What is the role of Synergy?


Other examples of synergy

1) Linear / predictable synergies

  • synergies that arise as a result of additive phenomena.
  • An aggregation of certain components or certain conditions that, in the end, result in a new situation.
  • For example, a big group of organisms is able to do things that a smaller one cannot.

2) Emergent / unpredictable synergies

  • synergies that arise out of a merging between 2 or more parts
  • These may result in an unexpected new situation with its own distinctive characteristics.
  • A symphony orchestra is an example.

3) Phase transition / Tipping point synergies

  • Synergies that arise out of abrupt changes of state.
  • Examples may be the crystallization of water or seed germination.

4) Augmented / Dynamic synergies

  • Synergies that emerge from a dynamic, cooperative process.
  • Emperor penguins, for example, huddle together in order to keep warm.

What is information?

  • Peter Corning (1995) describes information as that which gives form to data
  • Information is the capacity to exercise cybernetic control over the acquisition, disposition and utilisation of matter/energy in, and by, living systems.
  • It can only be measured in terms of the results it achieves for specific systems.
  • It is always context-specific

Four Teams with Cognitive Styles:


The~~ ~~brown:New knowing Team~~ ~~#0099CC:was coordinated by~~ ~~brown:Mathilda Tham


The~~ ~~#CC9933:Languaging Team~~ ~~#0099CC:was coordinated by~~ ~~#CC9933:Anette Lundebye


The~~ ~~#000066:Envisioning Team~~ ~~#0099CC:was coordinated by~~ ~~#000066:John Backwell


The~~ ~~#339933:Pushing-Doing Team~~ ~~#0099CC:was coordinated by~~ ~~#339933:Hannah Jones


return / go to m21 Meetings
return / go to m21 HOME PAGE
return / go to Bibliography page
return / go to Other AU Research