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AI is a tool, not an operator

  AI is a tool   Tools have functions — they do not have purpose. Operators provide purpose, goals and objectives that will identify the need, if any, for a particular tool’s functions.    As an example, airplanes are tools — usually very effective tools. But the aircraft does not choose the crew, cargo, course, departure place or date nor the destination and arrival time. That is all set by operators. Sometimes the operators decide that a different tool is needed for the same outcome. For instance, Apple Inc. has decided to ship its products by cargo ship rather than by air. This is not a decision made by an aircraft nor a ship, but one made by operators.   AI is a tool. The hype around this tool becoming functional enough to provide purpose is meant to distract you from some operators' intentions. For instance, these are operators:   https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/13/open-philanthropy-funding-ai-policy-00121362     Operators determine out...

design conversations

  Definitions and design   Definitions cut off conversations. Viable conversations about what design can be and what we desire it to be ought to be nurtured and sustained. This particular article draws from narrowed assumptions of a particular tradition of design and is not inclusive of the broad diversity of approaches to understanding and practicing design spread across communities of interest — which would inform a richer exchange of ideas about design and designing.    https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/02/22/1068297/design-definition-needs-change/   Design is a mystery — an indeterminate mystery. The questions to be posed are what does anyone mean when they use the term 'design' and why? What do they desire this term to mean? That will allow generable dialogues to develop thus advancing our shared understanding and appreciation for design and design practices.  

systemic design 'progress' motto

    A great deal has been, and is being, said about the necessity of repairing, reforming or transforming existing means and methods for the development and innovation of technology. However, from a systemic design perspective, very little significant change can be accomplished without ‘re-scoring’ (reorganizing algorithmic steps) the present process of  ‘progress’—particularly technologic progress. The dominant ‘spirit of the times’ for scoring progress was captured in the 1933 World Fair’s motto:   Science Finds • Industry Applies • Man Conforms   20 th  Century ‘score’ for technologic progress   The historical enablers for each step include:   Science Finds • university research • business R&D programs • government research programs •            • Industry Applies • innovates • disrupts • persuades •             • Man (sic...