FOUR MODES OF DIALECTICAL THINKING

1. The object in the photograph is the lens of a lighthouse light, a so called “Fresnel” lens after its inventor. It is made from a series of glass prisms in a brass framework. This particular lens was found in the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation in Riga, Latvia. Structurally speaking, the context for such an object is that of lighthouses, or more generally, locations where very powerful lights are needed. In terms of process thinking, one might say that this kind of light has evolved from the early use of torches and fires on hills over-looking the sea, and developed with the inventions, first of gas lights, and then electric ones. For the future such lights might be superceded by the use of GPS systems with warnings. One can draw relationships between this kind of light and other warning systems, such as fog horns for example. Thinking transformationally, one might consider other uses for such light technology extending towards things like optic fibres, or architectural lighting in buildings, or alternatively the design of glass jewellery.

2. The suitcase, made out of concrete, is part of an art installation at the Museum of Occupations in Tallinn, Estonia. It conjures up ideas of travel, immigration and emigration, and movement but at the same time its concrete weight and solidity give it a feeling of permanence. Thinking structurally, one can position the suitcase in a social and political context where people had either the freedom to travel, or were prevented from doing so, and to a period historically before suitcases had wheels. Such thoughts take us into the process thinking mode where we can consider how suitcases have evolved over the years, and the relational thinking mode where we think of other forms of luggage such as rucksacks or baskets. Thinking transformationally, one might consider the tension between travelling and staying in the same place which raises ideas about “virtual” travel, partly experienced by reading or watching films about travel.

3. This sign was photographed at the river Pärnu in Latvia . It is an astonishingly simple graphic that conveys a strong message prohibiting the drinking of alcohol and swimming. We can speculate on the social structures that give rise to the demand for such a sign, and also on the different kind of locations where it might be found, most commonly rivers and public swimming pools. We can also think in terms of process about the historical antecedents of such signs, perhaps a high incidence of anti-social or dangerous behaviour, and also about other possible signs to prohibit other kinds of unsafe behaviour. We can relate this kind of sign to other types of symbolic messaging from verbal warnings to informational videos or the presence of life-guards preventing access to people carrying alcohol. Transformationally, we might think about the role such signs have in controlling and developing social behaviour, how drinking has been restricted at certain times and in certain places, and how “free” people are in society to behave as they wish if it brings disapproval from others.