Some Buckminster Fuller -Isms

Leverage (disambiguation - not a definition)

Leverage may refer to one of the following.

Leverage in physics, a factor by which lever multiplies a force.
Leverage (finance) in finance, using given resources in such a way that the potential positive or negative outcome is magnified.
A leveraged buyout, in which someone gains control of company's equity through the use of debt.
Leverage (dance), a type of dance connection.
Buyer leverage, the relative bargaining power of buyer and seller in a transaction.
Leverage in statistics is a concept related to the Mahalanobis distance and is used to measure the importance of a sample in a regression model based on its similarity to the rest of the population.
Leverage (negotiation) in negotiation, a measure of which side, at any given moment, has the most to lose from a failure to agree.
Leverage (band), a hard rock band from Finland.

SYNERGY: The behavior of wholes unpredicted by the behavior of parts.

In its broadest sense synergetics is Fuller's hypothesized coordinate system of Universe --- both its physical and metaphysical aspects. Fuller's system of epistemography and mathematical-physics attempts to disclose how Nature actually operates --- her ``operational mathematics.'' Fuller claimed that synergetics could be understood by children (though they probably couldn't comprehend his books on the subject). He published this material in his essay ``Omni-directional Halo'' (in No More Secondhand God), Synergetics: Explorations in the Geometry of Thinking, Synergetics 2: Further Explorations in the Geometry of Thinking, and Cosmography. Cosmography is probably the easiest to read for people unfamiliar with Fuller's prose style. An ``interleaved'' version of Synergetics and Synergetics 2 is available on the Web at http://www.servtech.com/public/rwgray/synergetics/synergetics.html.

Definition of "precession" as the effect of one motion system on another motion system which results in a plurality of complementary transformation accommodations.

mass attraction, a part of synergy...

2.2 What is ``synergy?''

[From Synergetics [101.01-102.00]]

``Synergy means behavior of whole systems unpredicted by the behavior of their parts taken separately.

``Synergy means behavior of integral, aggregate, whole systems unpredicted by behaviors of any of their components or subassemblies of their components taken separately from the whole.''

[From Blaine A. D'Amico.]

Fuller's clearest example of ``behavior of whole systems unpredicted by the behavior of the parts'' is mass attraction. The Earth and the Moon maintain their relationship through an inter-attraction of their respective masses. This mass attraction (gravity being a special case of mass attraction) is a function of the mass of the two bodies AND THEIR DISTANCE FROM ONE ANOTHER. The scientific law governing this attraction states that if you halve the distance between the two bodies you quadruple the attraction and vice-versa (i.e. double the distance and the attraction is 1/4 the original). This generalized principle (the law of mass attraction) is a synergy because if either body is considered separately there is no attractive force to examine. The law of mass attraction is mathematically exact and exists only as a function of the whole system. It is therefore a Synergy.

http://www.netaxs.com/people/cjf/fuller-faq-2.html

EPHEMERALIZATION

Fuller arrived at this concept in 1922 (see Reader, p.16) and devotes a chapter to it in Nine Chains. The term denotes:

"the principle of doing ever more with ever less weight, time and energy per each given level of functional performance". (Synergetics 2, 792.52)

Critical Path (p.232) defines it as:

"the invisible chemical, metallurgical, and electronic production of ever-more-efficient and satisfyingly effective performance with the investment of ever-less weight and volume of materials per unit function formed or performed".

Ephemeralization is a fruit of synergy. (N.B., it has nothing to do with the production of ephemera, as Pawley (p.174) imagines: in one sentence this author manages to misconstrue both of the above key concepts.)

It is an important principle for Fuller because of his concern with performance and resources. Ephemeralization also underlies Fuller's conception of Change Curves, which form a part of his discussions of history.

Computers are obvious exemplifications of ephemeralization. Today's pocketful of computing power was a roomful not long ago. The extreme case of all this is that of Quantum Devices.