Emérgéntly Lexicon

This describes how some words have a specific meaning in the Emérgéntly context.

Metaphor: a loose representation of something e.g. the city is a jungle. Emérgéntly commonly uses four different metaphors to describe a system, e.g. systems energise, solidify, unify and transform and typically, some of the words are obvious metaphors, but one or two may not be. A metaphor is never wrong, just more or less useful. Metaphor distracts the brain from black and white linear thinking.

Functions: what the system as a whole DOES (energises, solidifies, unifies and transforms). What roles the system (or group of people) as a whole performs. Emérgéntly functions are interdependent, and therefore can be difficult to distinguish from each other. But that is the point—it makes you think more deeply. Despite the brain preferring black and white independencies, focusing on interdependencies is vital for understanding systems.

Interdependence: not my success is your success, but my success depends on your success. If you are not successful, neither am I. My success depends on Nature’s success.

Tetrahedron: a pyramid with a triangular base, unlike the Egyptian Pyramid which has a square base. Emérgéntly uses the tetrahedron as a metaphor for interdependence—where you can change one side and all sides change. It also represents the minimum structural system with a physical inside and outside and a total of only 4 sides. A structural triangle is actually a very flat prism with three sides plus a top and a bottom, 5 sides in all. The tetrahedron is therefore also a metaphor for the simplest possible system.

Spiral: a metaphor for constant change which cycles through a predictable sequence, like the weather constantly changes, but cycles through the four seasons. Emérgéntly unfolds the tetrahedron into four interdependent triangles and illustrates a specific sequence by arranging the triangles in a spiral starting in the middle, and spiralling out in an anticlockwise direction. The same sequence of triangles can be illustrated by rotating the tetrahedron in a specific way.

Systems: according to Wikipedia, A system is a group of interacting or interrelated elements that act according to a set of rules to form a unified whole. Emérgéntly assumes the elements are not just interrelated, but also interdependent. The tetrahedron is the simplest possible structural system and has four interrelated elements (four sides, four vertices), so we assume any system can be described in terms of no fewer than four elements or parts, or functions or roles. It is also important that most systems are nested within other systems. For example, your digestive system is one organ system that is nested within your body. Your body is a system that is nested within your family, which is nested within your community...

Elements: a system is a group of interrelated elements (or parts or functions or roles). Emérgéntly labels the minimum four parts of a system after the elements of Nature, Fire, Earth, Water, Air.

Eco-logical: systems thinking. Just as economy is the monetary numbers in a specific place. Emérgéntly hyphenates eco-logic to mean the logic of the place or system.

Ego: the part of a person's mind that balances unconscious desires with the demands of the real world. We all have unconscious desires, but we can all develop a more eco ego by paying more attention to the eco-logic of the real world.

Regenerative: improving a place or a system so that it generates more energy than it needs. It is no longer enough to be self-sufficient and sustainable, we must aim to be shared-sufficient and regenerative.