From <@UBVM.CC.BUFFALO.EDU:owner-LISTSERV@UBVM.CC.BUFFALO.EDU> Mon Feb 6 17:18:07 1995 Received: from netaxs.com (root@netaxs.com [198.69.186.1]) by access.netaxs.com (8.6.9/8.6.9) with ESMTP id RAA29917 for ; Mon, 6 Feb 1995 17:18:07 -0500 Received: from UBVM.cc.buffalo.edu (ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu [128.205.2.1]) by netaxs.com (8.6.9/8.6.9) with SMTP id RAA04988 for ; Mon, 6 Feb 1995 17:17:37 -0500 Message-Id: <199502062217.RAA04988@netaxs.com> Received: from UBVM.CC.BUFFALO.EDU by UBVM.cc.buffalo.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 4660; Mon, 06 Feb 95 17:17:02 EST Received: from UBVM.CC.BUFFALO.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@UBVM) by UBVM.CC.BUFFALO.EDU (LMail V1.2a/1.8a) with BSMTP id 9066; Mon, 6 Feb 1995 12:39:48 -0500 Date: Mon, 6 Feb 1995 12:39:35 -0500 From: "L-Soft list server at UBVM (1.8a)" Subject: File: "GEODESIC LOG9406" To: "Christopher J. Fearnley" Status: RO ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 1 Jun 1994 09:30:00 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Paul Newland Subject: Ref for the Verb Book My colleague is about to present a paper in Finland and needs a reference to a Bucky Book - I think it's - I Think I'm a Verb. Can anyone help Thanks Paul Paul Newland Centre for New Media Research, University of Portsmouth, UK. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 1 Jun 1994 09:33:00 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "H. Jeffrey Rosen" Subject: Re: Ref for the Verb Book It's "I Seem To Be A Verb", co-authored by Fuller and Quentin Fiore. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 1 Jun 1994 13:12:43 EDT Reply-To: dkap@vax.ftp.com Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was dkap@MAILSERV-C.FTP.COM From: "A Page in the Life of ..." Subject: WWW_Geodesics In-Reply-To: Rodrigo de Almeida Siqueira's message of Tue, 31 May 1994 15:39:23 -0400 <199405312027.QAA21631@cs.brandeis.edu> I have collected all the referents so far to WWW pages and will continue to do so. I have also run the FAQ through a perl html-ize script, so if people want to take a look and make suggestions .... Thanks, Dave K. -- I suppose that Cat fancier's magazine also causes men to treat cats as sex objects? Why is it that when men look at women, it must be assumed that it has some negative effect. Men and women are of a separate sex and were designed to be attractive to each other. Before we had enough intellect to create love, there was natural, healthy lust. Now, this natural healthy drive is looked at as bad. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 1 Jun 1994 10:00:36 MST Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: "John.Reed Maffeo" Organization: Motorola Subject: play domes I hope this is not to trivial for this group. My kids have enjoyed playing on the geodome at the local park. Now they want me to build one for them in our backyard. I have looked in my local library and have not found any instructions or designs for building one. If any one has (scalable) plans for a play dome I would like a copy. An FTP reference would be helpful if one is available. Thanks, John-Reed ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 1 Jun 1994 21:42:35 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: scimatec5@UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU Organization: University of Toledo Subject: Re: WWW_URL In article , crywalt@vaxc.stevens-tech.edu (Christopher Rywalt) writes: > In article <9405310338.AA08052@brucutu> Rodrigo Siqueira writes: >>Date: Mon, 30 May 1994 23:34:37 -0400 >>From: Rodrigo Siqueira >>Subject: WWW_URL >>Yes ! There is a color 3d Buckyball to those who use the World Wide Web: >>URL: >>http://www.sgi.com/free/bucky.html > ... >>----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - >> Rodrigo Siqueira | I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge >> e-mail to: | That myth is more potent than history. >>delirium@ime.usp.br | I believe that dreams are more powerful than facts- >> | That hope always triumphs over experience- >> :-) ;-> :-/ ;-) | That laughter is the only cure for grief, >> | And I believe that love is stronger than death. > > Thanks for the pointer to the Bucky ball. However, this "picture" only > confuses an issue I've been wrangling with since I attended Science > Kick '94. > At Science Kick, a lot of discussion was about Bucky balls, and during these > talks people kept holding up and pointing to a wireframe model of a > Bucky ball -- basically, it looked like the JPEG at that site. And the > question that kept going through my mind -- though I didn't ask it -- > was, "How is a Bucky ball stable? It's not triangulated." > And it isn't triangulated at all, but apparently it IS stable. So I figure > that something is missing from the model, or maybe there's something > missing from my conception of a bond. I had wondered where they came > up with the "structure" of a Bucky ball, and that JPEG clears that up, > somewhat -- the rods of the model (what Bucky would've called the > vectors of the shape) are approximate electron densities. > Now, why would electrons be in those locations? How does a Bucky ball > stand up? > The Buckyball is triangulated by the electron's "want" to be as far away from each other as possible. The triangulation is along force lines between the three electron clouds (they are center bodied "planar" triangles ) with the tensile parts as the force lines and the clouds as the compression members. _ A | \ | \ > | \ | | Force line (on all | | thr ee sides) | | | / \ | | / \ / | / \ / | / \ | ----------- | \ / ^\ | |\ | |________________-| I had the same trouble at first, too. Steve Mather ? ? / / ? ainglessulationeia > Chris > > %SYSTEM-F-ACCVIO, access violation, reason mask=00, virtual address=00000000, PC > =0000BFEF, PSL=03C00009 > %TRACE-F-TRACEBACK, symbolic stack dump follows > module name routine name line rel PC abs PC > > SIGNTAURE crywalt@vaxc.stevens-tech.edu 2010 00001010 DEADBEEF > SIGNATURE main 2226 00000107 0000BFEF ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 1 Jun 1994 15:47:43 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kirby Urner Subject: Re: WWW_Geodesics >Wow! The "Dome Project page" is better now ! >For those who are using WWW, I'm doing a page dedicated to Buckminster Fuller. >URL: >http://www.futuro.usp.br/rod/text/buckminster_fuller.html > >There are some local Bucky interesting text files, few images and some >links to people who are working with Buckyballs or Geodesic Domes (including >a link to the Dome Project page, with color images of a Dome - inside >and outside). > >I'm looking for more pictures and images of Domes to put in the Web. > >Rodrigo Siqueira. Thanks Rodrigo. I screen captured and sent a copy of your page to Ed Applewhite, collaborator with Bucky on the Synergetics volumes, author of the Synergetics Dictionary, and Cosmic Fishing, about the experience of writing with Bucky. Ed lives in DC and is a friend of Blaine's. Blaine, Ed said he's got an America Online account now and I told him about GEODESIC. He sounded interested and would probably appreciate if you showed him how to subscribe, next time you drop in. -- Kirby ------------------------------------------------ Kirby T. Urner pdx4d@teleport.com 4D Solutions pdx4d@igc.apc.org Portland, Oregon ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 1 Jun 1994 16:24:47 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kirby Urner Subject: WWW_Geodesics >I have collected all the referents so far to WWW pages and will continue to >do so. I have also run the FAQ through a perl html-ize script, so if >people want to take a look and make suggestions .... > >Thanks, > >Dave K. Dave -- I forwarded screen captures of your HTML pages in my communication to Ed as well. Ed is on the board of BFI and I would hope that copies of the HTML BF-related screens will excite the Institute about the possibilities, and perhaps make a new supply of GIFs available in future. Thanks for your excellent work. I look forward to intensely networked (highly interweaving) collections of HTML screens. These "globs" could be implemented entirely locally, 50 or 60 screens, say, where "isotropic vector matrix" is used in passing in one paragraph, but patched to definitional and pictorial sections elsewhere. Fuller is best accessed via hypertext and HTML is an excellent tool for providing such access. ------------------------------------------------ Kirby T. Urner pdx4d@teleport.com 4D Solutions pdx4d@igc.apc.org Portland, Oregon ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 1 Jun 1994 18:37:02 EST/EDT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: DAMICO@GELMAN.CIRC.GWU.EDU Subject: Re: world game I last attended a world game session two years ago here at the George Washington University. Quite an experience. We even had two guys who manipulated the game in order to stockpile arms and destroy the world. Not the goal of course, but an interesting window into the war makers mind set. I will check on the current contact info for the world game institute. I know they came out with a hypercard reference stack of world resources a couple years back. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 1 Jun 1994 18:38:52 EST/EDT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: DAMICO@GELMAN.CIRC.GWU.EDU Subject: Re: world game I see that Kiby already provided all the info needed. Boy keeping up with the volume of netmail I get everyday is daunting. Where the heck is that "intelligent Agent technology" that I keep getting promised? ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 1 Jun 1994 18:07:33 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kirby Urner Subject: Re: world game >I see that Kiby already provided all the info needed. Boy keeping up >with the volume of netmail I get everyday is daunting. Where the >heck is that "intelligent Agent technology" that I keep getting >promised? > > Kiby is me, right? What all info did I provide already, just curious? Trust you caught my note about helping Ed connect to this list. I just sent him a portfolio of HTML pages, perhaps to share with BFI with an eye towards growing the internet Design Science inventory of metaphysical assets. -- Kirby Dream dome fantasy follows... Another Entry in the Dream Dome Series My dome is made like a Saturn (car): order up all the options and configurations from a catalog, with a computer display to show what it'll look like. The order goes to the factory and a customized model comes down the line. Options have much to do with how one wants it equipped for one's line of work. I need computer networking sockets and recess moldings in the curved walls for large and small screens. In the media room, reclining swivel chairs let our family face the screen and do interactive internet surfing. Good audio. We're not talking super-expensive here, since these are all mass-produced options are built as standard accessories. The village where I hope to base this unit has utility hookups, similar to RV hookups, with CATV, into which we can plug our cable modems. Although this all sounds high tech, a lot of the programming we access will be about living on the land, with the seasons. Our village grows a lot of its own food and we share power generation facilities (a windmill farm) with other nearby villages. The units sit on tri-pods with ramp access (like UFOs), so we don't rip up the land with concrete foundations. Fuller's aerospace aesthetic: building human communities aboard spaceship earth "as if" we were colonizing from outer space. Not to make us feel more alientated from our mother planet, but to reconnect us to the feeling that nature herself is the ultra-high tech master, and using our best technologies to house and clothe ourselves is to closer approximate the models and methods nature uses -- most economical, most appropriate. ------------------------------------------------ Kirby T. Urner pdx4d@teleport.com 4D Solutions pdx4d@igc.apc.org Portland, Oregon ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 2 Jun 1994 05:28:08 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: Chris Fearnley Organization: Critical Path Project Subject: Re: East St. Louis In article <1994May30.234116.1@uoft02.utoledo.edu> scimatec5@uoft02.utoledo.edu writes: > >The FAQ mentioned (oh, and thanks Chris) a structure >being built, or suggested to be built, or whatever >in East St. Louis. I didn't understand the description >of it, or what it was all about. Can someone help me >out? The East St. Louis project finally died. I'm not sure of the details. I think we discussed it a year or so ago - but I still haven't finished going through the '92 - present logs yet. I will try to include more details in the next version of the FAQ (I plan to send it to news.answers by July 12 - I thought it would be nice to release the FAQ each month on the 12th - guess why!?). Basically the East St. Louis project was a futuristic design for a city that would meet its occupants needs better than our haphazard cities. > > Steve Mather -- Christopher J. Fearnley UNIX SIG Leader at PACS cfearnl@cpp.pha.pa.us (Philadelphia Area Computer Society) cfearnl@pacs.pha.pa.us Design Science Revolutionary fearnlcj@duvm.ocs.drexel.edu Explorer in Universe ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 2 Jun 1994 12:39:01 EST/EDT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: DAMICO@GELMAN.CIRC.GWU.EDU Subject: Re: world game In response to my message > >I see that Kiby already provided all the info needed. Boy keeping up > >with the volume of netmail I get everyday is daunting. Where the > >heck is that "intelligent Agent technology" that I keep getting > >promised? > > > > Kirby writes > Kiby is me, right? What all info did I provide already, just curious? Just the current contact information and a couple of other tidbits. I thought it was from you. I could have misreade the address header. > Trust you caught my note about helping Ed connect to this list. > I just sent him a portfolio of HTML pages, perhaps to share with > BFI with an eye towards growing the internet Design Science inventory > of metaphysical assets. > > -- Kirby > This is precisely my plan. I have been very energized by the conversations and offers of assistance that are coming forth from this group. My goal is to bring Ed on-line to orchestrate this into an effective tool. For a good intro into Ed Applewhite and whoat he meant to the production of Synergetics read "Cosmic Fishing" by EJ Applewhite. It is an account of the collaboration that lead to Synergetics being published. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 2 Jun 1994 16:20:00 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "H. Jeffrey Rosen" Subject: Re: world game A couple of weeks ago, someone was helping Ed Applewhite connect to the Net... Did it ever happen? ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 2 Jun 1994 19:38:09 -0600 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kurt Bendl Subject: Looking for dome designs, kits, (clues) In ref to John-Reed's previous post: I, too, am looking for more info om dome construction (at any level). Is there an architectural FAQ on Mr. Fuller's designs? I've been searching the net and can't find anything along these lines yet. My thanks to the GEODESIC gods, and you, Kurt (:7, ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 2 Jun 1994 18:57:53 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kirby Urner Subject: Re: Looking for dome designs, kits, (clues) >In ref to John-Reed's previous post: > >I, too, am looking for more info om dome construction (at any level). >Is there an architectural FAQ on Mr. Fuller's designs? I've been >searching the net and can't find anything along these lines yet. > >My thanks to the GEODESIC gods, and you, > >Kurt (:7, > Syllabus would include The Dome Book and The Dome Book 2. Magazine called Dome. Journal of Space Structures (spendy subscriptions for the hard core). Home Fried Domes another resource. Ikosa Kit in museum gift shops, and Tensegritoy, same shops, are good modeling kits. Who makes all those dome jungle gyms for elementary school campuses around the country I wonder? Online resources I'm less versed in. If you've got World Wide Web, then check out http://www.futuro.usp.br/rod/text/buckminster_fuller.html -- Kirby ------------------------------------------------ Kirby T. Urner pdx4d@teleport.com 4D Solutions pdx4d@igc.apc.org Portland, Oregon ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 3 Jun 1994 10:31:26 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "James E. Hoburg" Subject: RBF Centennial I just realized that next year (12 July 1995?) will be the centennial of Bucky's birth. What plans are afoot to commemorate the event? Cheers, JimH O----------------------------------------------------------------------O Components elitism: optimized neural Angeline-Granada vision blocks. O----------------------------------------------------------------------O ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 3 Jun 1994 09:34:12 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kirby Urner Subject: Re: RBF Centennial > I just realized that next year (12 July 1995?) will be the centennial >of Bucky's birth. What plans are afoot to commemorate the event? > >Cheers, >JimH BFI has been trying like heck to get the US post office to do a stamp. There's an address at the post office that citizens can write to with their stamp wishes. Back issues of TrimTab mention it. Or call the Buckminster Fuller Institute at (805) 962-0022. ------------------------------------------------ Kirby T. Urner pdx4d@teleport.com 4D Solutions pdx4d@igc.apc.org Portland, Oregon ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 3 Jun 1994 16:05:09 EST/EDT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: DAMICO@GELMAN.CIRC.GWU.EDU Subject: WWW access to home page I got a cello client running on my station. I am webbing all over the world. I can't seem to connect to http://www.futuro.usp.br Any ideas why? ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 3 Jun 1994 19:13:07 -0500 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: mwitten@CHPC.UTEXAS.EDU Subject: SIGN ME OFF THIS LIST PLEASE With all my experience, I cannot seem to get myself off this list. Please sign me off. And yes, no flames, I did all of the correct things. Matthew -- _____________________________________________________________________ Matthew Witten UT System Center For High Performance Computing Balcones Research Center, 1.154 CMS 10100 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78758-4497 USA Phone: (512) 471-2472 FAX: (512) 471-2445 E-MAIL MWITTEN@CHPC.UTEXAS.EDU _____________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 3 Jun 1994 20:03:06 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: Kenne22 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Re: Dome houses In article <2oljsq$acp@status.gen.nz>, icosa@iconz.co.nz (Ross Keatinge) writes: I am also planning to build a dome soon. I'm designing and building a 35' 3/8 dome on 5' riser walls. I'm interested in using spray on polyurethane foam over a wooden frame . Has anyone had an experience with polyurethane foam , good or bad? I'm in Austin Texas but ended up buying land for my dome in the country because i didnt want to deal with convincing the local building regulators that domes are better than square houses and i also wanted to experience using as many natural materials from the land as possible in the construction (decrative not structoral). I found that here, no morgage companies will deal with domes until there is an established market (catch 22 #!@), so I am planning some very creative ways to finance. generally I wanted to preserve the experience described in 'Dome book' as much as possible and the only way to do that here is in a rural community, where the local government doesn't care to interfere with the right of a man to build a home as he sees fit. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 4 Jun 1994 14:13:52 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Rodrigo de Almeida Siqueira Subject: World_Wide_Web Hello Bucky-Fans, I have an idea of why the http://www.futuro.usp.br/rod/text/buckminster_fuller.h tml is not working (in this present moment! but WILL work from monday on!!) In the room where "www.futuro.usp.br" is, there is no one to press that little RED button that could start all over working again... I'll be including more Fuller related material there. But I don't have much. I'm looking people to provide more texts, photos, pictures, projects and more. I think it would be great if people with more sources of Fuller information could set up a WWW page with a full database and recieve help from this list. One thing I would reallly like to see is photos from the DOME-Houses of the users (living in domes) from this listserv. Scanned images from catalogs of dome houses would also be interesting to be put in the Web. Rodrigo Siqueira. Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 5 Jun 1994 01:09:51 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: Chris Fearnley Organization: Critical Path Project Subject: Re: Looking for dome designs, kits, (clues) In article Kurt Bendl writes: >In ref to John-Reed's previous post: > >I, too, am looking for more info om dome construction (at any level). >Is there an architectural FAQ on Mr. Fuller's designs? I've been >searching the net and can't find anything along these lines yet. The next version of the FAQ on Bucky will cover the basic Dome theory [thanks to one of Kirby's old posts], but I won't have time to cover chord factors and other key concepts for several months (??). [I gotta find those notes :)] If anyone has these handy, I'd like to include it in the next version. Next version will be about double the size of the last one and will be released approximately June 12 (Bucky's 98 and 11/12ths Birthday celebration). I will probably make the next version available onnly to the list and bit.listserv.geodesic. The July 12th version will be distributed to news.answers as well, which should bring a lot of newbies to our discussion here. > >My thanks to the GEODESIC gods, and you, > >Kurt (:7, -- Christopher J. Fearnley UNIX SIG Leader at PACS cfearnl@cpp.pha.pa.us (Philadelphia Area Computer Society) cfearnl@pacs.pha.pa.us Design Science Revolutionary fearnlcj@duvm.ocs.drexel.edu Explorer in Universe ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 5 Jun 1994 15:22:59 EST/EDT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: DAMICO@GELMAN.CIRC.GWU.EDU Subject: Ed Applewhite on the net Ed Applewhite will be subscribing to the geodesic list this week. In the interim, if you want to send copies of your post to him directly, his address is EdApple@AOL.COM. This is Ed's first week on the NET. Let's try not to overload him right away. Ed is very generous with his time and knowledge. He will provide an invaluable resource and guidance in our collaborations and conversations. Anyone read cosmic fishing, yet? ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 6 Jun 1994 09:43:25 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "James E. Hoburg" Subject: Ed Applewhite on the net In-Reply-To: <199406052032.QAA18741@ns.oar.net> DAMICO@GELMAN.CIRC.GWU.EDU writes: > [ Ed Applewhite announcement ellided ] > Anyone read cosmic fishing, yet? Just finished it yesterday, 05 June 1994. Great read. Ciao, JimH O------------------------------------------O Intelligent Village: The Cultural Target O------------------------------------------O ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 6 Jun 1994 15:04:59 EST/EDT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: DAMICO@GELMAN.CIRC.GWU.EDU Subject: Tetra grid for sat sensing Ed sent this message today. It seems to point to the potential of synergetics as a modelling system. Does anyone know more about this project --- - - - - Forwarded Message Follows - - - - - - - From: EdApple@aol.com X-Mailer: America Online Mailer Sender: "EdApple" Message-Id: <9406061425.tn884109@aol.com> Date: Mon, 06 Jun 94 14:25:26 EDT Subject: Tetra grid for sat sensing Satellite sensing data displayed for first time on geodesic triangular-tetrahedral grid "Scientific American." (January 1991) reported that researchers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory turned a technique for modeling explosions into one that simulates climatic change. It relies on meshes made of half a million tetrahedrons. . . .Every tetrahedron covers an area no wider than 30 kilometers. . . . In the event of a disturbance such as ahurricane, these meshes would twist. Conventional models which use rigid meshes of rectangular bricks, typically lack the resolution to portray such comparatively local phenomena. (The graphics accompanying this article demonstrate the kind of applied geodesics that Buckminster Fuller had in mind.) ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 8 Jun 1994 09:43:42 EDT Reply-To: dkap@vax.ftp.com Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was dkap@MAILSERV-C.FTP.COM From: "A Page in the Life of ..." Subject: WWW access to home page In-Reply-To: DAMICO@GELMAN.CIRC.GWU.EDU's message of Fri, 3 Jun 1994 16:05:09 EST/EDT <199406032339.TAA19179@cs.brandeis.edu> Distance? It seems to be a really slow link, and a really slow name-serve as well. Dave K. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 8 Jun 1994 13:52:07 -0500 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: Helen Horton Peterson Organization: Bryn Mawr College Subject: Job at World Game Institute The following Help Wanted ad was in the _Philadelphia City Paper_ 6/10/94, if anyone would like to apply: PART-TIME FACILTATORS The World Game Institute, a non-profit, global research/educational organization, has several openings for part-time facilitators to lead interactive workshops aimed at increasing global awareness. Facilitators will travel locally, nationally, and internationally, working with educational institutions, community groups and corporations. Candidates will have at least 3 years of experience in training, teaching, performing or any combination thereof and will have a keen interest in global, environmental and cultural diversity issues. All facilitators must attend the week-long training the first week of august and be availabe to conduct workshops throughout '94-'95. Please submit your cover letter/resume to the Program Delivery/Training Department, World Game Institute, 3215 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 by June 15. Good luck to any of you looking for a new job. -- Helen Horton Peterson (610)526-7435 Associate Director, Academic Computing FAX(610)526-7432 Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 8 Jun 1994 16:27:16 EST/EDT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: DAMICO@GELMAN.CIRC.GWU.EDU Subject: Ed Applewhite on NET (update) I spent today's lunch hour over at Ed's home. I assisted him in exploring the capabilities of AOL. I attempted to subscribe him the geodesic listserv but I'm not sure that I succeeded. If I haven't succeeded I will assist him in retrying until we get it right. (Would someone please remind me where the geodesic listserv server is? I seem to remember that it was a UB address but not UBVM.BITNET.) Ed has Gopher and WAIS access. I didn't see any option for WWW access but I was only there for an hour. We did search the ACS Gopher for fullerene references and found a couple of resources. Assuming that I did not succeed in getting Ed subscribed to the list I am repeating his E-mail address EdApple@AOL.COM ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 9 Jun 1994 09:47:09 CST Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Tom Dosemagen Subject: Re: Looking for dome designs, kits, (clues) Try calling Natural Spaces at (800) 733-7107 and ask for their book called All About Domes. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 9 Jun 1994 10:40:52 -0600 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Randy Cox Subject: FWD>FW: virus alert FYI _______________________________________________________________________________ From: U28550%UICVM.bitnet@URIACC.URI.EDU on Wed, Jun 8, 1994 9:42 PM Subject: virus alert To: Multiple recipients of list FACSEN-L For your information. ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- This is forwarded FYI. From: ssubbian at NOTE Date: 6/8/94 3:18PM To: ckruytbo at nsf15 *To: srs-all at NOTE Subject: FYI: Virus Alert ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNET VIRUS ALERT A virus has been discovered on the Internet that is disguised as CD-ROM shareware. Unknown hackers have illegally put the Chinon name on the destructive shareware file and released it on the Internet. This catastrophic virus is named "CD-IT" -- DO NO DOWNLOAD. IT WILL CORRPUPT YOUR HARD DRIVE. The program allegedly a shareware PC utility that will convert an ordinary CD-ROM drive in to a CD-Recordable (CD-R) device, which is technically impossible, instead destroys critical system files on a user's hard drive. The program also immediately crashes the CPU, forces the user to reboot and stays in memory. Widest dissemination is requested. #255##255# FW: virus alert ===== The SMTP Mail Header Follows Received: from UGA.CC.UGA.EDU by uga.cc.uga.edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with BSMTP id 2017; Thu, 09 Jun 94 08:24:38 EDT Received: from UGA.CC.UGA.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@UGA) by UGA.CC.UGA.EDU ( LMail V1.1d/1.7f) with BSMTP id 1009; Thu, 9 Jun 1994 08:24:37 -0400 Date: Thu, 9 Jun 1994 08:24:18 U Reply-To: Fish and Aquaria Sender: Fish and Aquaria From: AnthonyVerrill Subject: FW: virus alert X-To: Advance Natural Group List , FishandAquaria , Fundlist To: Multiple recipients of list AQUARIUM ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 9 Jun 1994 13:23:00 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "H. Jeffrey Rosen" Subject: Fullerenes from Space? Those of us interested in Fullerenes will be thrilled by the publication of a letter to NATURE, the weekly international science journal, in that periodical's May 5 issue. It seems that NASA's Long Duration Exposure experiment, which orbited for nearly six years and was recovered for analysis four years ago, showed traces of carbonaceous matter in a cratered aluminum panel - matter which has been found to contain traces of Carbon 60 and other Fullerenes. This news provides direct evidence that Fullerenes either exist spontaneously in Universe, or can be formed in space. Whether they can be formed in commercial quantities is a question for future Shuttle mission research. I recommend that the letter to Nature be added to the BFI archives (if it isn't already). HJ.ROSEN@SRS.GOV ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 9 Jun 1994 17:50:28 GMT Reply-To: bcarroll@junkyard2.East.Sun.COM Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: Bruce Carroll - Sun BOS Systems Product Assurance CONTRACTOR Organization: Sun Microsystems Inc. - BDC Subject: Re: Looking for dome designs, kits, (clues) If your looking just for plans/blueprints, try Key Domes, in Miama, FL (305)-665-3541. They have 3 different types of plans (foam/concrete, plywood on 2X4/6, and plywood panels). I'm planning on building one later this fall. Bruce Carroll ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 9 Jun 1994 20:54:55 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kirby Urner Subject: Re: Fullerenes from Space? > > This news provides direct evidence that Fullerenes either exist >spontaneously in Universe, or can be formed in space. Excellent news. Thanks for the posting. We shouldn't forget though, that natural C60 has been found in Russia, in a rare kind of rock formation. Young person to Bucky "Do you think people will ever go into outer space?" Bucky replied "We are already in space, deary." I.E. if earth has naturally occurring C60, then C60 does naturally occur in space. ------------------------------------------------ Kirby T. Urner pdx4d@teleport.com 4D Solutions (teleport.com is a public access node) Portland, Oregon ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 10 Jun 1994 13:38:54 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: Christopher Rywalt Organization: Stevens Institute of Technology Subject: Re: Fullerenes from Space? In article <199406100355.UAA03249@teleport.com> Kirby Urner writes: >Date: Thu, 9 Jun 1994 20:54:55 -0700 >From: Kirby Urner >Subject: Re: Fullerenes from Space? >> >> This news provides direct evidence that Fullerenes either exist >>spontaneously in Universe, or can be formed in space. >Excellent news. Thanks for the posting. >We shouldn't forget though, that natural C60 has been found in Russia, >in a rare kind of rock formation. Young person to Bucky "Do you think >people will ever go into outer space?" Bucky replied "We are already >in space, deary." I.E. if earth has naturally occurring C60, then >C60 does naturally occur in space. According to Richard Smalley -- this is one thing he told us at Science Kick -- C60 has been found in the layer of earth that marks the boundary between the Cretaceous and the Triassic periods. This layer is very dark and is rich in carbon and is what leads current science to believe the last of the dinosaurs were wiped out in massive fires. This is not really a rare kind of rock formation; it's just not that easy to stumble on. Also, Smalley told us that C60 -- as well as other fullerenes -- are formed from something as simple as a candle. The explanation was that what's glowing in a candle is actually soot -- carbon -- which, as it reaches the "edge" of the candle's "flame", cools so that it no longer glows. If you wave your hand at the air over a candle flame, you're waving away airborne carbon atoms, and among them, fullerenes. I find this interesting, in a Cliff Claven-factlet sort of way. Chris %SYSTEM-F-ACCVIO, access violation, reason mask=00, virtual address=00000000, PC =0000BFEF, PSL=03C00009 %TRACE-F-TRACEBACK, symbolic stack dump follows module name routine name line rel PC abs PC SIGNTAURE crywalt@vaxc.stevens-tech.edu 2010 00001010 DEADBEEF SIGNATURE main 2226 00000107 0000BFEF ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 10 Jun 1994 10:15:06 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Jan Shepherd Subject: MOCHIN LIST and PROJECT MIND I have been quietly listening to your list for a while. I thought that some of you might be interested in the following list. If not, perhaps you know others who would be. MOCHIN - MIND, MATTER & MASHIACH: A forum for discussing ultimate reality and the nature and role of intelligence, especially as concerns the integration of higher and lower in the context of Jewish and metaphysical thought. While the Jewish context is formally required by Nysernet, we are open to insights from all traditions. You are cordially invited to exchange thoughts on the role of intelligence in world transformation. Suggested foci include: intuition, creativity, vision, genius, breakthrough, conscience, mission, obsession, destiny, desire, will, altruism, essence, being, consciousness, faith, certainty, science and religion, objectivity, immortality, etc. The command to subscribe is "subscribe MOCHIN your name" and should be sent as a message to "listserv@israel.nysernet.org" and not to the list address. MOCHIN is sponsored by the Project Mind Foundation. Inquiries: marshlu@vms.huji.ac.il We look forward to your input. David S. Devor Project Mind Foundation marshlu@vms.huji.ac.il (list moderator) ________________________________________ >Many scientists who, by the strictures of our >profession, are trained and required to be >cautious and critical to a T in our thinking, find >no satisfying forum to discuss, in a free and >unfettered way, notions and feelings about things >spiritual. It seems to me that many scientists >feel intimidated, or in the least embarrassed, to >discuss such matters for (apparent) fear of >being ridiculed by other members of their >profession. The mind/matter list, MOCHIN, I moderate on Nysernet was created for just such people. Interested parties may subscribe by sending a message to: listserv@israel.nysernet.org saying, "SUBSCRIBE MOCHIN yourname" >My questions to all concerned are: >Why should this HAVE to be justified? Why >can't such discussion be a safe environment for >us to let down our guard and freely discuss >our thoughts and feelings, without having to >substantiate and justify everything we say or >think before we even express it? Within the reigning materialist paradigm in science, those who believe matter is a limited aspect of reality are very much in the minority and suffer from many of the same problems of minorities in general. The emotionality to which you refer may very well be a sign that the defenders of the reigning paradigm are beginning to feel challenged. Still, we have a very long way to go. The "free flow of new ideas" will continue to require specialist forums for some time to come. The more radically innovative the vision, the more protected the environment must be. Project Mind is an environment we plan to create for scientists that will accommodate radically creative, breakthrough vision of an unprecedented kind. We are seeking scientists of vision. David S. Devor Project Mind Foundation Man's mind, stretched to a new idea, never goes back to its original dimensions. Oliver Wendell Holmes ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 10 Jun 1994 13:04:00 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "H. Jeffrey Rosen" Subject: Re: Dome houses In article <2oljsq$acp@status.gen.nz>, icosa@iconz.co.nz (Ross Keatinge) writes: ..I am also planning to build a dome soon. I'm designing and building ..a 35' 3/8 dome on 5' riser walls. I'm interested in using spray on ..polyurethane foam over a wooden frame . Has anyone had an experience ..with polyurethane foam , good or bad? Didn't the U.S. military experiment years ago with urethane foam applications to geodesic frames? I think it was around the era when the domes for DEW line radar enclosures were fabricated. Try a .gov gopher(?), or maybe the Library of Congress ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 10 Jun 1994 14:53:14 PST Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: SR CEGRAVE 06/10/94 14:53:46 PB1 From: Charlie Graves Subject: ok ok *************************************************************** Charles Graves, Project Manager, Pacific Bell 2600 Camino Ramon, 3W850H, San Ramon, CA 94583 (510)823-0345 cegrave@pb1.pacbell.com ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 12 Jun 1994 03:08:32 GMT Reply-To: "Christopher J. Fearnley" Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: "Christopher J. Fearnley" Organization: Critical Path Project Subject: R. Buckminster Fuller Frequently asked Questions and Answers (Part 3 of 5) Posted-By: auto-faq 2.4 Archive-name: bucky-fuller-faq/part3 Version 0.95 Happy 98 and 11/12 birth anniversary, Bucky! This is the Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQ) Resource on R. Buckminster Fuller. It is based primarily on the history of the discussions, interests, and needs of the readers of the BITNET list GEODESIC and it's USENET gateway bit.listserv.geodesic. So some of the information could be in error (especially addresses and phone numbers). The FAQ is maintained by Chris Fearnley (cfearnl@cpp.pha.pa.us). Please send all errors and suggestions to me. The FAQ is released (usually with modifications) on the 12th of each month (to celebrate Bucky's monthly birth anniversary - He was born 12 July 1895). This document still has a lot of fluff in it. But rather than risk losing the wisdom of the net, I have included most everyone's answers to just about everything. In time I hope to distill the net wisdom further with careful editing. Also, I still l haven't gone through the '94 logs from GEODESIC nor the material on the FIX BBS. So the next version will undoubtedly be larger still. Also, the list of Fuller-related companies and manufacturers is incomplete and probably fairly inaccurate. Please send me corrections. I don't even have the BFI in here. They never told me they moved and I don't know the current address. Anyone know when they will get out of the "dark ages" and join us here on the net? Or at least share with their members their new address. BTW, I won't be sending this document to them for inclusion in the archives. If someone in Santa Barbara can slip them a disk, I'm sure they'd be gratified. Finally, if you see that one of your quotes is unclear, please send me clarifications. Bracketed citations refer to the material that follows. Some citations are quoted directly from the logs and follow the material. Beware of outdated information: this information is culled from old log files and is not necessarily up-to-date. Please follow-up with discussion and questions to bit.listserv.geodesic or to the mailing list geodesic@ubvm (see 6.2 for details). Contents: 1.0 Introductory 2.0 Fuller's Ideas about Human Society: Critical Path 2.1.0 What is the Design Science Revolution? 2.1.1 When will the Design Science Revolution begin? 2.2 What is the "cosmic accounting system"? Fuller's Economics. 2.3.0 What is the World Game? 2.3.1 What is the World Game Institute? 2.3.2 What are the World Game Institutes "games" like? 2.3.3 What is Global Data Manager (GDM)? 2.3.4 Does the World Game offer any solutions to the World Hunger Problem? 2.4.0 What were Fuller's views on religion/God? 2.4.1 How did Bucky's "Ever Rethinking the Lord's Prayer" go? 2.5 What is the Global Energy Grid idea? 2.6 What is a "trimtab"? 2.7 Was Bucky a socialist? 2.8 What were Fuller's views on Education? 2.9 What is the difference between "Class I" and "Class II" evolution? 2.10 How to house humanity? And other reflections on Making the World work. 3.0 Synergetics 3.1 What is "synergy"? 3.2 What is Fuller's definition of "Universe"? 3.3.0 What is the "isotropic vector matrix" [IVM]? 3.3.1 I wondered if hexagonal closest packing forms an IVM? Also, is a diamond cubic structure the same as an IVM? 3.4 What is the "vector equilibrium"? 3.5 What is the jitterbug? 3.6 What is Fuller's concept of "space"? 3.7 What is a "system"? 3.8 What is the "minimal system"? 3.9 What is the "omnidirectional halo"? 3.10 Does synergetics provide an extension or modification of the 'scientific method?' 3.11 Are there connections between synergetics and fullerenes (besides the name, of course? 3.12 Why use synergetics conversion factors and other irrationals? 3.13 What is Precession? 3.14 What is the equation for finding the volume of a pyramid? 4.0 Geodesic Domes and Other Inventions 4.1.0 What is a geodesic dome? 4.1.1 Does a dome really weigh less than its component materials? 4.1.2 What are some features of underground, concrete domes? 4.1.3 What are geotangent domes? 4.1.4 What are the advangates (and disadvantages) of Dome Life? 4.1.5 How to use solar panels in domes? 4.1.6 Dome References [Oldest material first] 4.2.0 Dome Math: What you've all been waiting for!!! 4.2.1 Dome Theory 4.2.2 What are the basics of Spherical Trigonometry? 4.2.3 How to tesselate a sphere? 4.2.4 Chord Factors - the nitty gritty. 4.3.0 What is a tensegrity model? 4.3.1 How to Build Tensegraties? 4.3.2 Who was Kenneth Snelson and what was his role in the invention of tensegrities? 4.4 What are "cloud nines"? 4.5 What is "dymaxion"? 4.6 What is the Dymaxion Car? 4.7 What is a "fog gun"? 4.8 What was Fuller's Floating City design? 4.9 What was the Old Man's River City Project (circular cities)? 4.10 What was the Dymaxion Deployment Unit? 4.11.0 What is the Dymaxion Map? 4.11.1 Other stuff about the Dymaxion Map. 4.12 What was the Dymaxion House? 5.0 Miscellany 5.1.0 What are "fullerenes" and "buckyballs"? 5.1.1 What are some of the properties of the fullerenes? 5.1.2 What are buckytubes? 5.1.3 What are "endohedral fullerenes"? 5.2 What is Biosphere II? 5.3 Was Fuller formally educated? 5.4 Will there be a 1995 commemorative stamp marking Bucky's 100th? 5.5 Bibliography: Culled from several postings 5.6 Organizations and Corporations mentioned on GEODESIC (incomplete and dated) [Mostly dome-type manufacturers.] 5.7 Computer tools (may or may not be useful to dome design or synergetics). 5.8 Fuller's "failures." 5.9 Where would you encourage your best friend to start in the Fuller literature? (For maximum ease of mastery) 5.10 Quotes and Coinages. 5.11 Evaluating the value of the Man, Bucky: humanitarian or cold-hearted technocrat? 5.12 What was the nature of Fuller's involvement with Werner Erhardt, EST and the World Hunger Project? 5.13 What were relations between Fuller and his Students? 5.14 What is GENESIS II? 5.15 Could Fuller's proposed Very Large Structures work? 6.0 Net Resources 6.1 Buckminsterfullerenes Update Service and Fullerene Bibliography 6.2 List GEODESIC: GEODESIC@UBVM.BITNET 6.3 FIX (Fuller Information eXchange) BBS 6.4 WWW (World Wide Web) sources 4.2.0 Dome Math: What you've all been waiting for!!! [Unfortunately this is incomplete :( Contributions greatly needed.] 4.2.1 Dome Theory [From Kirby Urner.] The edges of a geodesic dome are *not* all the same length. The angstrom measurements between neighboring carbon atoms in a fullerene are likewise not equal. Domes come in three Classes (I, II and III). The classification system has to do with laying an equilateral triangle down on a grid of smaller equilateral triangles, lining up corners with corners -- either aligning the triangle with the grid (I), turning it 90 degrees to bisect grid triangles (II), or rotating it discretely to have it cut skewly across the grid (III). 20 of these triangles make an icosahedron which is then placed within a circumscribing sphere. The vertexes of the triangles' internal points, defined by the grid pattern, define radii with the circumscribing sphere's center. By pushing each vertex further out along the segments so defined, until each is made equidistant from the center, an omnitriangulated geodesic sphere is formed (orthonormal projection I think cartographers call this). Again, resulting surface edge lengths are not all the same length. The resulting mesh will always contain 12 sets of 5 triangles organized into pentagons, the rest into hexagons. The Class I version of the algorithm above always creates 20F^2 surface facets where F=1 gives the icosahedron itself. The external point population will be 10F^2+2. Since points plus facets = edges plus 2 (Euler), you will get 30F^2 edges. F is what Fuller called the Frequency of the geodesic sphere and, in the Class I case, corresponds to the number of grid intervals along any one of the 20 triangle edges. Note: "buckyballs" in the sense of "fullerenes" are not omni- triangulated (the edges internal to the 12 pentagons and n hexagons have been removed) and come in infinitely more varieties than the above algorithm allows. The above algorithm is limited to generating point groups with icosahedral symmetry -- a minority of the fullerenes are symmetrical in this way, although C60, the most prevalent, is a derivative of the Class I structure. [From Ben Williams] Andrew Norris writes: >1/ Given a dodecahedron with the edges of length unity, what is > the radius of the sphere that would enlose this body? > >2/ For the above case, construct each pentagon out of triangles. > What are the angles required so that new center-node of the > pentagon just touches the enclosing sphere? This is just a 2 frequency (what-is-referred-to-in-Domebook II-as) triacon geodesic sphere. Funny you should mention that: Back in June when I first discovered this newsgroup, I got reinterested in my old hobby of building mathmatical models (and R B Fuller as well). So I went through the laborious process of calculating the strut lengths to build a 2v triacon sphere (what you just described above) out of toothpicks. I have it hanging up over my monitor right now. I wish I could show how I used geometry and such to figure all the necessary lengths out. What I do is start out with a drawing of a dodecahedron projected onto a plane -- if it is oriented correctly, you will get a 2-d figure that you can use to deduce the information you want from it. (To get this figure, think of a dodecahedron made out of struts (such as toothpicks) standing on one of its edges on a sheet of paper out in the sun with the sun directly overhead. The shadow on the paper will be this figure.) These are the lengths I derived E = length of edge of dodecahedron Distance of edge of dodecahedron from center: Er = ( (3 + sqrt(5))/4 ) * E 1/2 distance between non-adjacent vertices of face of dodecahedron: b = ( (sqrt(5)+1)/4 ) * E given a face of dodecahdron, distance between vertex and opposite edge: h = ( ( sqrt(5 + 2*sqrt(5)) ) / 2 ) * E distance from center of dodecahedron to one of its vertices (your question 1): R = sqrt((9 + 3*sqrt(5))/8) * E given a face of dodecahdron, distance from its center to an edge: l = b/h * Er distance from center of face of dodecahedron to center of dodecahedron: m = Er/h * Er given face of dodecahedron, distance from center to vertex: t = h-l length of one of those struts going from a vertex of dodecahedron up to point above center of face but on the enclosing sphere: S = sqrt(t^2 + (R-m)^2) Now, to derive the angles of one of those triangles whose side lengths I have just determined, you would need to do this: A1 = 2 * arcsin ((E/2)/S) This is the angle of the top corners of the 5 triangles which are arched above one of the faces of the dodecahedron. My calculator gives me this angle in degrees: 67.66866319 Notice it is slightly less than the 72 degrees it would be if they were flat on the face of the dodecahedron. Now the other two angles of each of the triangles are simply derived via: A2 and A3 = (180 - A1) / 2 I get a value of 56.1656684 degrees for these two angles. 4.2.2 What are the basics of Spherical Trigonometry? On Sat, 18 Dec 1993 03:11:53 GMT said: >Hey all, > A while back I asked about calculating chord factors. I found the >equation that without which I don't think I could have done it (by the way I >was successful)-- it's a formula for calculating w/any spherical right >triangle. The formula is sin a = sin A * sin c. > A > / | > c / |b > / | > / | > B--a--C >I'm sure you're all familiar w/it, but is there any other equation that would >be just as helpful. This is by Napier's rules. Here is Napier's circle: c-c A-c B-c b a where -c means the complement (or 90 degrees - (minus) the arclength measure). A, B are angles, C is the right angle and a, b, c are the sides opposite A, B, and C, respectively. There are two rules: Rule 1: The sine of any unknown part is equal to the product of the cosines of the two known opposite parts. Or sin = cos * cos of the OPPOSITE parts. Rule 2: The sine of any unknown part is equal to the product of the tangents of its two known adjacent parts. Or sin = tan * tan of the ADJACENT parts. Your formula is the same because "c-c"=90-c and sin(90-c)=cos(c). Examples: sin(b)=tan(A-c)tan(a) or sin(b)=cos(c-c)cos(B-c). > > Steve Mather Chris Fearnley 4.2.3 How to tesselate a sphere? [From an old Comp.graphics FAQ, posted by Christopher McRae 14 Apr 1993.] One simple way is to do recursive subdivision into triangles. The base of the recursion is an octahedron, and then each level divides each triangle into four smaller ones. Jon Leech has posted a nice routine called sphere.c that generates the coordinates. It's available for FTP on ftp.ee.lbl.gov and weedeater.math.yale.edu. 4.2.4 Chord Factors - the nitty gritty. First choose a tesselation of the sphere (icosa, octa, tetra, elliptical or really just about anything. Second use geometry and spherical trig to determine the surface arclenths for the specific tesselation. Third observe that in any circle a central angle cuts off an arc with the same exact measure. Next, calculate the chord factors: cf = 2sin(theta/2), where theta is the central angle. Finally, multiply each chord factor by the radius of your dome. Several dome books use the term "alternate" to refer to Class I domes (actually it seems Joe Clinton in his paper on domes has determined several methods for class I subdivisions - his method I is the "alternate" form). The other popular subdivisioning scheme is based on the rhombic triacontrahedron and is called "triacon". [From Steve Mather] Hey all, I have some questions to ask about the triginometry behind geodesic domes. Remarkably, I've understood what I've encountered so far, and am well on my way to calculating the the chord factors for a 5v icosa alternate (Why? when I can look it up in a book? Well, I figured I'd prove to myself I can.) I've been able to find those along the direct projection from the icosohedron (are 0.198147431 w/central angle of 11.3716678 degrees, 0.231597598 w/central angle of 13.29940137, and 0.245346417 w/central angle of 14.09281254 acurate beginnings for the outside? [A big thanks to Steve for calculating and typing all this for us!!! Although I'm not sure which geometry he is referring to. I hope to include this in the next version of the FAQ. I haven't checked these, though I'm sure someone will will. Please let me know of any problems.] The letters begin at the bottom of the horizontal edges to the triangle, from "a" to whatever letter (depending upon the frequency --"a" is the very bottom, as well as the sides.) The numbers are the chord factors. 2v icosa: b= 0.6257378602 a= 0.5465330581 3v: c= 0.4240625600 b= 0.4038282455 a= 0.3669588162 4v: d= 0.3212440714 c= 0.3128689301 b= 0.2980880630 a= 0.2759044843 5v: e= 0.2581842991 d= 0.2539357295 c= 0.2465769121 b= 0.2357285878 a= 0.2209776479 6v: f= 0.2156929803 e= 0.2132468999 d= 0.2090569265 c= 0.2029619174 b= 0.1947619676 a= 0.1842631079 7v: g= 0.1851588097 f= 0.1836232302 e= 0.1810112024 d= 0.1772461840 c= 0.1722282186 b= 0.1658460763 a= 0.1579992952 8v: h= 0.1621725970 g= 0.1611459677 f= 0.1594077788 e= 0.1569181915 d= 0.1536238835 c= 0.1494619675 b= 0.1443671359 a= 0.1382831736 9v: i= 0.1442501297 h= 0.1435301153 g= 0.1423149814 f= 0.1405824320 e= 0.1383022055 d= 0.1354375402 c= 0.1319478012 b= 0.1277927679 a= 0.1229389715 10v: j= 0.1298874025 i= 0.1293630412 h= 0.1284801673 g= 0.1272255402 f= 0.1255810391 e= 0.1235242767 d= 0.1210296754 c= 0.1180702193 b= 0.1146200925 a= 0.1106583339 11v: k= 0.1181213623 j= 0.1177276963 i= 0.1170660293 h= 0.1161281074 g= 0.1149025743 f= 0.1133752524 e= 0.1115296266 d= 0.1093476232 c= 0.1068107860 b= 0.1039019434 a= 0.1006074045 12v l= 0.1083071374 k= 0.1080040870 j= 0.1074954030 i= 0.1067757281 h= 0.1058376643 g= 0.1046719125 f= 0.1032675068 e= 0.1016121871 d= 0.09969296006 c= 0.09749689909 b= 0.09501222476 a= 0.09222967293 13v m= 0.09999681431 l= 0.09975856278 k= 0.09935906240 j= 0.09879471539 i= 0.09806054042 h= 0.09715024635 g= 0.09605635362 f= 0.09477038423 e= 0.09328314541 d= 0.09158513461 c= 0.08966709201 b= 0.08752071743 a= 0.08513955025 14v n= 0.09286965560 m= 0.09267896531 l= 0.09235948034 k= 0.09190871293 j= 0.09132321201 i= 0.09059860431 h= 0.08972966070 g= 0.08871039868 f= 0.08753423341 e= 0.08619419334 d= 0.08468321460 c= 0.08299452818 b= 0.08112214654 a= 0.07906144555 15v o= 0.08668999531 n= 0.08653500116 m= 0.08627549580 l= 0.08590971508 k= 0.08543520816 j= 0.08484886148 i= 0.08414693683 h= 0.08332512917 g= 0.08237865120 f= 0.08130235310 e= 0.07955142649 d= 0.07873891823 c= 0.07724141051 b= 0.07559395328 a= 0.07379316114 Octahedron geodesics: alternate only 2v: b= 1.0000000000 (exact) a= 0.7653668647 3v: c= 0.7071067812 b= 0.6471948470 a= 0.5176380902 4v: d= 0.5411961001 c= 0.5176380902 b= 0.4701651493 a= 0.3901806440 5v: e= 0.4370160244 d= 0.4253582426 c= 0.4032283118 b= 0.3667034258 a= 0.3128689301 6v: f= 0.3360254038 e= 0.3594040993 d= 0.3472963553 c= 0.3280400675 b= 0.2996195680 a= 0.2610523844 7v: g= 0.3146921227 f= 0.3105694162 e= 0.3032077023 d= 0.2918376001 c= 0.2754043542 b= 0.2528648441 a= 0.2239289522 I hope I typed those all in right. 4.3.0 What is a tensegrity model? "The word 'tensegrity' is an invention: a contraction of 'tensional integrity.' [From _Synergetics_, [700.011]] "Tensegrity describes a structural-relationship principle in which structural shape is guaranteed by the finitely closed, comprehensively continuous, tensional behaviors of the system and not by the discontinuous and exclusively local compressional member behaviors. Tensegrity provides the ability to yield increasingly without ultimately breaking or coming asunder." [From Kirby Urner] Tensegrity structures employ tension primarily and compression secondarily. In pure tensegrity, compression members (i.e. metal rods) do not touch one another but provide rigidity within a network of tensed cables. Not only domes, but towers (and many sculptures) have successfully employed tensegrity principles. For Fuller, tensegrities manifested his philosophy: that nature uses tension primarily and compression secondarily (whereas humans often misguidedly do the reverse). Although he developed geodesic structures for the Marine Corps and Strategic Air Command, none of these were "tensegrities" exactly. Tensegritoy, available from most museum giftshops and teacher supply catalogs, admirably teaches about tensegrity. 4.3.1 How to Build Tensegrities? [From Daryl Bunce] To me, one of the best tools for help with building Tensegrity systems was/is _An Introduction to Tensegrity_ by Anthony Pugh, LOC: TA658.2 P85x, copyright 1976, University of California Press, ISDN: 0-520-02996-8 (cloth/hard) or 0-520-03055-9 (paper), 121pp. I suggest reading the first few pages of Appendix A then running out and purchasing some .75" dowel (see below) _then_ start on page 1. For struts: dowel (wooden rods) 3 feet long (standard US size), with a diameter = .75 inches. Cut with a fine-toothed saw into 9 inch lengths. Repeat until happy with amount (you'll need more, eventually). Take some 18-gauge wire brads (those nails with virtually no head), about an inch to 1.5 inches long and blunt the points. Warning: Use of steel nails, pins, etc. can be dangerous. Pound two nails into each strut end, with a wide gap between them and at least .5 inches protruding from the wood: _________________________________ // / -------o STRUT (yeah, right) / -------o two brads, repeat for other end // _______________________________// Repeat procedure for all ends of struts. Using rubber bands (#14, 2 inches, or #12,1.5 inches) hung over one brad/strut, you should be able to model some Tensegrities. BTW: If there were only one brad at each end, the rubber bands have more of a tendency to slip off. If your rubber bands are still slipping off, stretch one from one end to the other of the same strut before modeling. When you are ready to incorporate this strut, unhook this band, slide a band from the other strut onto a brad on this strut, and hook the original band back on over the new one. (Follow that?) >>> Most of the above was summarized from Mr. Pugh's book in one way or another <<< [From chris@COGNET.UCLA.EDU] There is a company called Plastruct which makes little plastic components for building various sorts of models. They are located in the City of Industry (I think (greater L.A. area)), California. Any good hobby or architectural supply shop in your area should have a catalog. I warn you, however, that their models are somewhat limited and the plastic tubes used for struts tend to split. There is also a company in England somewhere which actually owns the design upon which the Plastruct models are based. The components they make are somewhat larger, I believe, and perhaps of higher quality. If anyone is really interested in more details, I can dig up the names and numbers for you. In general, a good resource for this kind of information is the "Thomas Register of American Manufacturers", which can be found in many large libraries. [From Michael Justice, 23 Mar 1992] Real Goods sells something called a "tensegritoy", which looks kinda cute. To quote from their latest micro-catalog: EXPLORE ARCHITECTURE BUCKY FULLER STYLE Tensegritoy is an ingenious new construction puzzle that provides fun and intellectual challenge for children over ten. Based on R. Buckminster Fuller's ideas of tensegrity (tension and integrity) over 100 intriguing shapes can be built. The structures can boucne, roll, or seemingly float in the air. With the colorful components you can construct a basic four-sided figure, a helix or a geodesic dome, or explore architecture and the arrangement of DNA! The 32-page illustrated instruction booklet provides lots of how-to ideas. This is truly an affordable learning experience. 90-412 TENSEGRITOY . . . . $29 Real Goods is a yuppie "alternative energy / environmental / whatever-we- can-make-a-buck-on" :-) mail-order house. 1-800-762-7325 for orders. [From Patrick G. Salsbury] Well, Tensegrity Systems, Inc., manufactures the Tensegritoy (tm) and I've seen models built from combined sets that are a meter or more in diameter. [From Jim Flanagan] I have found that the cheapest/easiest method for making tensegrity struts is to buy thousands of bamboo skewers, chop off the pointy bits, and bind two (or more, depending on the tension in the model) together with rubber bands thus: ==x=============================x== then take another rubber band insert it between the two sticks at one end, then with half a turn drag it down to the other end and hook it in there. One completed strut. With practice one person can make a good deal of these in an evening. A hint for keeping the structure together while building is to use another band to keep a connection firm (somtimes a connection will slip. Spectacular explosions attest to the amount of tension is held in one of these structures...). ~~ // ==x=============================x=x= // // // ~~ If you use tan colored bands and tan sticks the aesthetic is better in my opinion. If you twist the bands more than once (but an odd number) you get more tension (which is necesary for higher freq. structures). [From Mitch Amiano] Resources: Check out a good boating supply shop. They make use of a number of tensile materials and fasteners. Tension members: Boating supply shops carry in bulk what might cost you $$$ to get pre-cut: rope, cables, and that elastic cloth cordage (like the kind used in the Tensegritoy). The elastic cord cost about $13 for a 50 foot roll. Tough Tension members: Nylon coated steel cable, 3/32 inch, with crimpable aluminum cable sleeves. Use the sleeves to make loops in the cable ends. Cable can be accurately measured by looping around two nails set in a block of wood and pulled tight. Sleeves can be crimped on one at a time. The nylon coating makes it less likely to have wire splinters, and makes for a neater finish. Taking up slack: Tiny turnbuckles. expensive at >50 cents a pop. Jim Flanagan's idea to increase the tension of the rubber bands by twisting them will work here, too. You just won't be able to twist up very much. Many forms of strain relief hardware can also be used to give springiness to inflexible cables. Compression members: Aluminum or brass tubing, 3/8 inch diameter. Aluminum costs about $1 a foot, while brass is about twice as expensive. Neither is hard to cut, given a midget pipe cutter, about $5. Fastening members together: A hollow tube may be plugged with a variety of screw anchors, both metal and plastic. Then a small bolt or screw stock can be securely mounted. Some washers are all thats needed to complete the connection if you chose to use bolts. For screw stock, you also need nuts, and can use round-ended cromed nuts for a finer finishing. For both, cable or rope loops can simply be looped on. Make sure the loop is smaller than the washer, or it might slip. 4.2.2 Who was Kenneth Snelson and what was his role in the invention of tensegrities? 4.3.2 Who was Kenneth Snelson and what was his role in the invention of tensegrities? Fuller began writing, speaking and thinking about coexistent tension and compression in the 1920's - see his first book _4D Time Lock_. He complained of having no good model to explain these principles. Then Snelson attended several of Fuller's lectures at Black Mountain College in the summer of 1948. In the winter of 1948 Snelson built the first tensegrity structure consisting of two "X"-shaped figures one suspended above the other in a sea of tension. He showed Fuller this model in the summer of 1949. After this inital contact both men developed the concept of tensegrity in unique and independent ways. Snelson designed large magnificent tensegrity sculptures while Fuller built large tensegrity spheres to demonstrate his synergetics (at that time he called it Energetic Geometry). Both Fuller and Snelson patented their structures. I think the quote below shows that both Fuller and Snelson acknowledged each other's contribution. Probably given Fuller's disdain for footnotes and other forms of formal citations, he occassionally impiled more credit than is his due. However, it seems to me that he documented Snelson's contribution sufficiently. Claims that Fuller stole Snelson's work are unsubstantiated. Also, claims by some of Fuller's admirer's that Snelson stole from Fuller, ignore the breakthrough in design that Snelson contributed. [From _Kenneth Snelson, an Exhibition_ orgainzed by Douglas G. Schultz; essay by H.N. Fox, p.23] "In a letter from Fuller to Snelson dated December 22, 1949, Fuller states, 'In all my public lectures I tell of your original demonstration of discontinuous-pressure- (com-pressure) and continuous tension structural advantage; - in which right makes light [?] in a prototype structure, - the ready reproduction of which properly incorportated in fundamental structues, may advance the spontaneous good will and understanding of mankind by many centuries. The event was one of those 'it happens' events, but demonstrates how the important events happen where the atmosphere is most favorable. If you had demonstrated this structure to an art audience it would not have rung the bell it rang in me, who had been seeking this structure in Energetic Geometry. That you were excited by the later E.G. [Energetic Geometry], into spontanous articulation of the solution, also demonstrates the importance of good faith of collegues of this frontier. The name Kenneth Snelson will come to be known as a true pioneer of the realized good life and good will...'" 4.4 What are "cloud nines"? ["Cloud nines" are floating geodesic spheres. The following extract from a paper posted to GEODESIC by Robert T. Bowers explains the idea.] "When considering a geodesic sphere, the weight of the sphere is a function of the surface of the sphere. The amount the sphere is lifted by warm air is a function of the volume of the sphere. In mathematical terms, weight is a function of the radius squared, while volume is a function of the radius cubed. This is very significant. Even as the radius of a sphere increases, thus increasing the sphere's weight, the lift of the sphere increases more. If you image a sphere that could grow larger, as the sphere gained a little weight, it would gain much lift. "Buckminster Fuller proposed that as spheres of great size are considered, the amount of air enclosed grows huge compared to the weight of the sphere. Of a sphere with a radius of 1320 feet, the weight of the enclosed air is 1000 times greater than the weight of the sphere's structure. If that volume of air was heated only one degree, the sphere would begin to float! "Of course, domes of even greater sizes would be required if that sphere were to carry any additional weight. But it is not inconceivable that floating geodesic spheres could carry aloft entire communities. Perhaps the concept of a floating dome of one half a mile diameter is too much for most people to seriously consider. Regardless, it does demonstrate the scope of projects that are made possible with geodesic domes." -Robert T. Bowers Fuller quote from _I_Seem_To_Be_A_Verb_ Came across this small description which I thought might interest some people who haven't seen it before ... Geodesic spheres larger than half-a-mile in diameter can be floated in the air, like clouds. Draped with polyethylene curtains -- to retard night-time air intake -- the spheres would be light enough to remain aloft, at preferred altitudes. "Cloud nines" one mile in diameter could house thousands of people, whose weight would be negligible. Passengers could pass from "cloud" to "cloud", or from "cloud" to ground, as the "clouds" float around the Earth or are anchored to mountain tops. The "clouds" could become food factories by impounding sunlight." -- David Paschall-Zimbel 4.5 What is "dymaxion"? "Dymaxion" is a name coined by a friend [Ed. an advertising man actually] of Bucky's which is a contraction of the words "DYnamic (or DYnamism, depending on your sources), MAXimum, and ION; three words that he noticed Bucky used often in his speech when describing things. Dymaxion, and also 4-D (4th Dimension) became trademarks of Bucky's and were frequently used on his products: -The Dymaxion 4-D House -The Dymaxion Car -The Dymaxion Deployment Unit (war-relief housing) -The Dymaxion Dwelling Machine (An improvement on the Dymaxion 4-D House) - Patrick G. Salsbury 4.6 What is the Dymaxion Car? "The Dymaxion Car was a teardrop-shaped (least air resistance), 3-wheeled, rear-wheel (single) steering, 21 foot long, Aluminum bodied auto, designed by Bucky to achieve maximum output and service with minimum material input. It was about 6 feet tall (Kinda like a big van), seated the driver and 10 passengers, weighed less than 1000 lbs., went 120 miles/hr on a 90 horsepower engine, and got between 30-50 miles to the gallon of gas! (Depending on your sources, again.) "It was eventually supposed to be developed into a flying vehicle, held aloft on "jet-stilts" (downward facing thrusters of some sort) so as to make all of "Spaceship Earth" accessible to humans and make it so they could have a house ANYWHERE (on top of a mountain, in a desert, etc. [his Dymaxion Houses were self-sustaining, and didn't need to be tied into power/sewer/water lines]) and still get around to go to work or whatnot. But only the car portion of the "Dymaxion Omnidirectional Human Transport" (Flying car) was developed, because at the time of development (1933-4), Jet technology was either non-existent, or not capable of the task." - Patrick G. Salsbury There is a Dymaxion car in the William F. Harrah Automobile Museum in Reno, NV. Very strange-looking vehicle indeed, and I was surprised to find out that it was from the 1930's. -Dan Howell 4.7 What is a "fog gun"? The "fog gun" was an invention Bucky developed as a water saving alternative to the wastefulness of showers. While Bucky was in the navy, he noted that, while standing on the deck of a ship, in the spray and mist of the sea, nothing seems to stay on your skin for very long. Not even grease. He reasoned that it must have something to do with the abrasive action of the tiny water droplets, so he developed a device that atomized the water (like a perfume bottle with the little bulb that you sqeeze to get perfume mist) and ejected it at high speed. He dubbed this the "fog gun" and found that it worked very well for cleaning a person off without soap (I'm not sure how he did hair, though) and without wasting a lot of water. (The "gun" could clean a family of four with *1 PINT* of water!) -Pat Salsbury 4.8 What was Fuller's Floating City design? Around 1967, Bucky Fuller was put in charge of the Triton project for the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) [You know, one of the current gov't departments under investigation for all sorts of scandals! ;^) ] Triton was a concept for an anchored floating city that would be located just offshore and connected with bridges and such to the mainland. It was a collection of tetrahedronal structures with apartments and such. The model looked very interesting! You can see some photos of the model in "The Artifacts of Buckminster Fuller", along with technical drawings of just about everything else he ever designed! :) -Pat Salsbury [Typed in by Charles Nicoll] Reprinted from "Critical Path," (1981, St Martin's Press) by Buckminster Fuller, p. 332. "In the early 1960s I was comissioned by a Japanese patron to design one of my tetrahedronal floating cities for Tokyo Bay. "Three-quarters of our planet Earth is covered with water, most of which may float organic cities. "Floating cities pay no rent to landlords. They are situated on the water, which they desalinate and recirculate in many useful and nonpolluting ways. They are ships with all an ocean ship's technical autonomy, but they are also ships that will always be anchored. They don't have to go anywhere. Their shape and its human-life accomodations are not compromised, as must be the shape of the living quarters of ships whose hull shapes are constructed so that they may slip, fishlike, at high speed through the water and high seas with maximum economy. "Floating cities are designed with the most buoyantly stable conformation of deep-sea bell-bouys. Their omni-surface-terraced, slop-faced, tetrahedronal structuring is employed to avoid the lethal threat of precipitous falls by humans from vertically sheer high-rising buildings. "The tetrahedron has the most surface with the least volume of all polyhedra. As such, it provides the most possible 'outside' living. Its sloping external surface is adequate for all its occupants to enjoy their own private, outside, tiered-terracing, garden homes. These are most economically serviced from the common, omni-nearest-possible center of volume of all polyhedra. "All the mechanical organics of a floating city are situated low in its hull for maximum stability. All the shopping centers and other communal service facilities are inside the structure; tennis courts and other athletic facilities ar on the top deck. When suitable, the floating cities are equipped with 'alongside' or interiorly lagooned marinas for the safe mooring of the sail- and powerboats of the floating-city occupants. When moored in protected waters, the floating cities may be connected to the land by bridgeways. "In 1966 my Japanese patron died, and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development commissioned me to carry out full design and economic analysis of the floating tetrahedronal city for potential U.S.A use. With my associates I completed the design and study as well as a scaled-down model. The studies showed that the fabricating and operating costs were such that a floating city could sustain a high standard of living, yet be economically occupiable at a rental so low as to be just above that rated as the 'poverty' level by HUD authorities. The secretary of HUD sent the drawings, engineering studies, and economic analysis to the Secretary of the Navy, who ordered the Navy's Bureau of Ships to analyze the project for its 'water-worthiness,' stability, and organic capability. The Bureau of Ships verified all our calculations and found the design to be practical and 'water-worthy.' The Secretary of the Navy then sent the project to the US Navy's Bureau of Yards and Docks, where its fabrication and assembly procedures and cost were analyzed on a basis of the 'floating city' being built in a shipyard as are aircraft carriers and other vessels. The cost analysis of the Navy Department came out within 10 percent of our cost - which bore out its occupiability at rental just above the poverty class. "At this point the city of Baltimore became interested in acquiring the first such floating city for anchorage just offshore in Chesapeake Bay, adjacent to Baltimore's waterfront. At this time President Lyndon Johnson's Democratic party went out of power. President Johnson took the model with him and installed it in his LBJ Texas library. The city of Baltimore's politicians went out of favor with the Nixon administration, and the whole project languished. The city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and other cities of the U.S.A are interested in the possibility of acquiring such floating cities. Chances of one being inaugurated are now improving. "In relation to such floating cities it is to be noted that they are completely designed under one authority, and when they become obsolete, they are scrapped and melted and the materials go into subsequent production of a greatly advanced model whose improvements are based on earlier experiences as well as the general interim advances of all technology. "There are three types of floating cities: There is one for protected harbor waters, one for semiprotected waters, and one for unprotected deep-sea installations. The deep-sea type is supported by submarine pontoons positioned under the turbulence, with their centers of buoyancy 100 feet below the ocean's surface. Structural columns rise from the submarine pontoons outwardly through the water to support the floating city high above the crests of the greatest waves, which thus pass innocuously below the city's lowest flooring, as rivers flow under great bridges. The deap-sea, deeply pontooned floating cities will be as motionless in respect to our planet as are islanded or land-based cities. "There are also deep-sea spherical and cylindrical geodesic floating cities whose hulls are positioned entirely below the ocean surface turbulence. Only their vertical entrance towers penetrate outwardly through the disturbed surface waters. The occupants of submarine cities with their vertical towers penetrating outwardly above water can be serviced by helicopters landing on the tower-top platforms. Such pontooned or hulled submarine cities also can provide safe mid-ocean docking for atomic-powered cargo- and passenger-carrying submarine transports. With their submarine hulls locked together below the turbulence, a safe passageway can be opened between them. "Even in mild weather docking cannot be done on the open water surface of the ocean. Even the mildest 'old-sea' or ground swells would roll any two ocean ships' great tonnages into disastrous hull-smashing clashes. Relative mass attraction is proportional to the product of the masses of the interchanges. When any two oceangoing steel vessels come within 'critical proximity,' their interattraction is fourfolded every time the distance between them is halved. This chain-attraction- increasing force pulls them sideways toward one another, ultimately to touch and chew up one another's skins - that is, unless one is maneuvered in time backward or forward away from the other. Land harbors are essential for surface docking or inter-tie-up of ships of any size. There are relatively few big-ship harbors in the world. This fact, and the world-around scarcity of such good harbors as Athens' Piraeus, France's Cherbourg, Italy's Venice, the U.S.A's New York, or Tokyo's Yokohama, have greatly affected the geographical patterning of world history. The new ability to transfer cargoes at sea could completely alter world economic balances and could bring ships once more into economic competition with airplanes. The recent decades' development of seventy-knot submerged speed of the great atomic submarines, complemented by floating cities, could herald the beginning of a new era of subsurface oceanic traffic. "In due time small cruising yachts also will be able to sail or power around the world in safe, one-day runs from one protected floating city's harbor to the next." [From Jim Fiegenschue, 12 Oct 1993] If you are interested in studying and solving some of the practical problems of floating habitations (such as anchoring, survival of storms, etc.) you might contact Sten Sjostrand, the architect who designed The Saigon Floating Hotel. The first and to my knowledge still the only floating resort hotel in the world, it was built in Singapore for about $22 million in 1987-8 US dollars. Another $5.5 million of furniture and accessories were added, plus a $2.5 million special anchor system, so this is a serious professional project. The 7-story hotel has 200 guest rooms, a lavish lobby, a swimming pool(!), a tennis court, a night club, a sauna, a gymnasium, small shops, several restaurants, two cocktail bars, a library, fully equipped conference rooms, post office, sewage treatment plants, facilities for mooring sail boats and yachts, an underwater observatory, and a marine laboratory. Originally opened for business as the Four Seasons Barrier Reef Resort in 1988 over the Australian Great Barrier Reef, it was a big draw for scuba divers. All waste- disposal machinery is sealed off completely to protect the environment. It is currently owned by the Japanese company EIE, who operate it offshore Saigon. You can possibly reach Sten Sjostrand through the Atlantis Project, which is currently raising funds to build a floating city/nation to be called Oceania. Their newsletter, called Chain Breaker, is located at 4132 S. Rainbow Blvd, Suite 387; Las Vegas, Nevada 89103. Phone: 702 897-8418. [From Bill Kovarik] There's a book called "Engineers Dreams" which depicts a floating city as a mid-Atlantic airport plan from the 1940s. Sometime in the 1970s the University of Hawaii designed a floating city, and you can get the book on interlibrary loan. I know the Virginia Tech architecture school library has it, if you can't find it anywhere else. Both the airport and the Hawaii ideas dealt with structural engineering problems primarily. There are important reasons to consider floating cities as resources for the not too distant future, I believe. A very important need is for factories for processing renewable energy resources which would be too expensive or too ecologically disruptive to collect on land. Of course, the most problematic aspect of renewable energy is its dispersed nature. It must be collected and concentrated, and the process of doing that can raise costs to a non-competitive level with fossil energy. For many decades, biochemical engineers have looked to marine biomass resources as being possible to cultivate in enormous quantities without creating ecological disruptions. As early as 1918 the Pasteur Institute was engaged in the study of renewable liquid fuels like methyl and ethyl alcohol from kelp. They were able to produce about 10 gallons of fuel alcohol per ton using an acid hydrolysis method. This is very old technology; better methods are available today. In the late 1970s and early 80s tremendous new attention focused on renewable resources, and marine biomass was the subject of a good deal of study. One of the most important was the Marine Biomass Energy Conversion Technology Research Committee of the Japan Ocean Industries Association. In one study they found that a 50 kg / m2 per year was the average productivity of both Sargassum and Laminaria type kelp. I don't know if they investigated the various energy production scenarios or what their final figures are, but you could probably find out pretty quickly. If we converted kelp to renewable liquid energy at the rate of 10 gallons per ton, what do we get? Lets assume one ton (1,000 kg) is grown on 20 square meters and produces 10 gallons. To make a million gallons we need an area of 200 square kilometers. To make a billion gallons would take a 2,000 square mile area, and to replace just the gasoline used in the U.S. (100 billion gallons a year) with alcohol from marine biomass would take a 40,000 square kilometer area -- around the size of Ireland and Cuba. Of course, more efficient processes and enhanced production could decrease the necessary size, but there would be little problem finding space in the ocean for an extra 40,000 kilometers somewhere. You would hope that the final cost of this liquid fuel was within a tolerable range, lets say $1.20 (US prices) to $5.00 per gallon (European fuel prices). OK, what about the waste products. When the kelp is hydrolized we get this goopy green leftover glop -- some of it could go to other chemical processes and some could be returned to the sea, along with treated sewage from the city, to fertilize the kelp beds for future harvests. How do you support the rest of the city? Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) for electricity and fish farming and hydroponics for food, other light manufacturing, some mining of deep sea minerals -- those are possibilities. What is impossible to make at sea? Probably heavy industrial processes, such as steel mills, aluminum refining, textiles, etc. Who would live there? Given the need for dignified employment in many developing nations, I would think that you could find millions of people willing to become "kelpers." If developing nations would divert financial resources out of the petroleum sector and into sustainable development, it could vastly raise the standard of living of some of the poorest people on earth and solve a large portion of the environmental crisis at the same time. You can see (squint hard, now) some of the visions of Huxley or Fuller or even Dwayne Andreas in play here, and we can see the outline of a real solution to the world energy / environmental crisis in the development of floating cities that produce renewable energy and food. [From Steve Mather] One possiblity in "floating cities" that I recently came across is the "Mining" Magnesium. Allegedly it can be obtained from sea water. Volvo developed a car back in the eightees (unfortunately they only developed it, it never went into production) that was made of a significant amounts of magnesium for its weight and because it avoided damaging mining practices. It's called the Volvo LCP 2000. Allegedly it gets anywhere from 56 to 81 (tops, 100) mpg, and, being a diesel, will run on nearly anything. For more info write Bob Austin of Volvo of America Corporation, Rockleigh, New Jersey, 07647; or call (201) 768-7300. 4.9 What was the Old Man's River City Project (circular cities)? This was Fuller's design science approach to solving the housing crisis in East St. Louis. Here are some excerpts from BF's CRITICAL PATH: "For eminently mobile man, cities have become obsolete in terms of yesterday's functions - warehousing both new and formerly manufactured goods and housing immigrant factory workers... "Old Man's River City, undertaken for East St. Louis, Illinois takes its name from the song first sung by Paul Robeson fifty years ago, which dramatized the life of Afro-American blacks who lived along the south-of-St. louis banks of the Mississippi River... "I originally came to East St. Louis to discuss the design and possible realization of the Old Man River's City, having been asked to do so by East St. Louis community leaders themselves... It is moon-crater-shaped: the crater's truncated cone top opening is a half-mile in diameter, rim-to-rim, while the truncated mountain itself is a mile in diameter at its base ring. The city has a one-mile-diameter geodesic, quarter-sphere transparent umbrella mounted high above it to permit full, all-around viewing below the umbrella's bottom perimeter. The top of the dome roof is 1000 feet high. The bottom rim of the umbrella dome is 500 feet above the surrounding terrain, while the crater-top esplanade, looks 250 feet radially inward from the unbrella's bottom, is at the same 500-foot height. From the esplanade the truncated mountain cone slopes downwardly, inward and outward, to ground level 500 feet below. "The moon crater's inward and outward, exterior-surface slopes each consist of fifty terraces - the terrace floors are tiered vertically ten feet above or below one another. All the inwardly, downwardly sloping sides of the moon crater's terraced cone are used for communal life; its outward-sloping, tree-planted terraces are entirely for private life dwelling." If you want all the details see CRITICAL PATH pages 315-323. - C. Fearnley [From Alex Soojung-Kim Pang.] The Old Man River project never got off the drawing boards. It was mainly the work of Washington University architecture prof James Fitzgibbon. He had a long relationship with Fuller, extending back to the early 1950s. Fitzgibbon had designed a domed city to be built on Frobisher Bay in Canada in 1956, and Old Man River was an extension and expansion of that earlier plan. It was also designed to address problems that architects, planners, and policy-makers considered central in the late 1960s and early 1970s, viz. racial segregation, urban decay, and economic growth in the inner cities. Old Man River would have provided housing and services for several thousand families in the most depressed section of St. Louis. It would have been built and managed by a non-profit corporation, and taken something like 20 years to complete; in Fitzgibbon's evocative phrase, it would have been not only good housing, but a "job machine," a huge project creating new industries in the area by virtue of its immensity. Fuller claimed that it would be the incubator of a new classless, raceless society. However, it never got anything close to the $1 billion required to build it, and the St. Louis municipal government never seemed to have taken it seriously. [See 5.8 Fuller's "failures." for more.] 4.10 What was the Dymaxion Deployment Unit? [From Jay Rozen.] Alden Hatch, in his "At Home in the Universe," describes BF's "Dymaxion Deployment Unit" (DDU), a circular structure which BF intended as cheap civilian housing. From 1940 to Pearl Harbor, they were manufactured for Allied troops and sent all over the world. [From Pat Salsbury] For more pictures of the D.D.U., or the other stuff Bucky worked on, check "The Dymaxion World of Buckminster Fuller." For blueprints & such, (not necessarily in a size that is legible all the time! ;) ) try "The Artifacts of Buckminster Fuller" ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 12 Jun 1994 03:08:25 GMT Reply-To: "Christopher J. Fearnley" Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: "Christopher J. Fearnley" Organization: Critical Path Project Subject: R. Buckminster Fuller Frequently asked Questions and Answers (Part 1 of 5) Posted-By: auto-faq 2.4 Archive-name: bucky-fuller-faq/part1 Version 0.95 Happy 98 and 11/12 birth anniversary, Bucky! This is the Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQ) Resource on R. Buckminster Fuller. It is based primarily on the history of the discussions, interests, and needs of the readers of the BITNET list GEODESIC and it's USENET gateway bit.listserv.geodesic. So some of the information could be in error (especially addresses and phone numbers). The FAQ is maintained by Chris Fearnley (cfearnl@cpp.pha.pa.us). Please send all errors and suggestions to me. The FAQ is released (usually with modifications) on the 12th of each month (to celebrate Bucky's monthly birth anniversary - He was born 12 July 1895). This document still has a lot of fluff in it. But rather than risk losing the wisdom of the net, I have included most everyone's answers to just about everything. In time I hope to distill the net wisdom further with careful editing. Also, I still l haven't gone through the '94 logs from GEODESIC nor the material on the FIX BBS. So the next version will undoubtedly be larger still. Also, the list of Fuller-related companies and manufacturers is incomplete and probably fairly inaccurate. Please send me corrections. I don't even have the BFI in here. They never told me they moved and I don't know the current address. Anyone know when they will get out of the "dark ages" and join us here on the net? Or at least share with their members their new address. BTW, I won't be sending this document to them for inclusion in the archives. If someone in Santa Barbara can slip them a disk, I'm sure they'd be gratified. Finally, if you see that one of your quotes is unclear, please send me clarifications. Bracketed citations refer to the material that follows. Some citations are quoted directly from the logs and follow the material. Beware of outdated information: this information is culled from old log files and is not necessarily up-to-date. Please follow-up with discussion and questions to bit.listserv.geodesic or to the mailing list geodesic@ubvm (see 6.2 for details). Contents: 1.0 Introductory 2.0 Fuller's Ideas about Human Society: Critical Path 2.1.0 What is the Design Science Revolution? 2.1.1 When will the Design Science Revolution begin? 2.2 What is the "cosmic accounting system"? Fuller's Economics. 2.3.0 What is the World Game? 2.3.1 What is the World Game Institute? 2.3.2 What are the World Game Institutes "games" like? 2.3.3 What is Global Data Manager (GDM)? 2.3.4 Does the World Game offer any solutions to the World Hunger Problem? 2.4.0 What were Fuller's views on religion/God? 2.4.1 How did Bucky's "Ever Rethinking the Lord's Prayer" go? 2.5 What is the Global Energy Grid idea? 2.6 What is a "trimtab"? 2.7 Was Bucky a socialist? 2.8 What were Fuller's views on Education? 2.9 What is the difference between "Class I" and "Class II" evolution? 2.10 How to house humanity? And other reflections on Making the World work. 3.0 Synergetics 3.1 What is "synergy"? 3.2 What is Fuller's definition of "Universe"? 3.3.0 What is the "isotropic vector matrix" [IVM]? 3.3.1 I wondered if hexagonal closest packing forms an IVM? Also, is a diamond cubic structure the same as an IVM? 3.4 What is the "vector equilibrium"? 3.5 What is the jitterbug? 3.6 What is Fuller's concept of "space"? 3.7 What is a "system"? 3.8 What is the "minimal system"? 3.9 What is the "omnidirectional halo"? 3.10 Does synergetics provide an extension or modification of the 'scientific method?' 3.11 Are there connections between synergetics and fullerenes (besides the name, of course? 3.12 Why use synergetics conversion factors and other irrationals? 3.13 What is Precession? 3.14 What is the equation for finding the volume of a pyramid? 4.0 Geodesic Domes and Other Inventions 4.1.0 What is a geodesic dome? 4.1.1 Does a dome really weigh less than its component materials? 4.1.2 What are some features of underground, concrete domes? 4.1.3 What are geotangent domes? 4.1.4 What are the advangates (and disadvantages) of Dome Life? 4.1.5 How to use solar panels in domes? 4.1.6 Dome References [Oldest material first] 4.2.0 Dome Math: What you've all been waiting for!!! 4.2.1 Dome Theory 4.2.2 What are the basics of Spherical Trigonometry? 4.2.3 How to tesselate a sphere? 4.2.4 Chord Factors - the nitty gritty. 4.3.0 What is a tensegrity model? 4.3.1 How to Build Tensegraties? 4.3.2 Who was Kenneth Snelson and what was his role in the invention of tensegrities? 4.4 What are "cloud nines"? 4.5 What is "dymaxion"? 4.6 What is the Dymaxion Car? 4.7 What is a "fog gun"? 4.8 What was Fuller's Floating City design? 4.9 What was the Old Man's River City Project (circular cities)? 4.10 What was the Dymaxion Deployment Unit? 4.11.0 What is the Dymaxion Map? 4.11.1 Other stuff about the Dymaxion Map. 4.12 What was the Dymaxion House? 5.0 Miscellany 5.1.0 What are "fullerenes" and "buckyballs"? 5.1.1 What are some of the properties of the fullerenes? 5.1.2 What are buckytubes? 5.1.3 What are "endohedral fullerenes"? 5.2 What is Biosphere II? 5.3 Was Fuller formally educated? 5.4 Will there be a 1995 commemorative stamp marking Bucky's 100th? 5.5 Bibliography: Culled from several postings 5.6 Organizations and Corporations mentioned on GEODESIC (incomplete and dated) [Mostly dome-type manufacturers.] 5.7 Computer tools (may or may not be useful to dome design or synergetics). 5.8 Fuller's "failures." 5.9 Where would you encourage your best friend to start in the Fuller literature? (For maximum ease of mastery) 5.10 Quotes and Coinages. 5.11 Evaluating the value of the Man, Bucky: humanitarian or cold-hearted technocrat? 5.12 What was the nature of Fuller's involvement with Werner Erhardt, EST and the World Hunger Project? 5.13 What were relations between Fuller and his Students? 5.14 What is GENESIS II? 5.15 Could Fuller's proposed Very Large Structures work? 6.0 Net Resources 6.1 Buckminsterfullerenes Update Service and Fullerene Bibliography 6.2 List GEODESIC: GEODESIC@UBVM.BITNET 6.3 FIX (Fuller Information eXchange) BBS 6.4 WWW (World Wide Web) sources 1.0 Introductory Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) is the renowned inventor of the geodesic dome, the world game, and a new system of mathematics called synergetics. He was a polymath whose writings and lectures touched upon every aspect of the human condition. His greatest writings were _Critical Path_, _Synergetics_ (2 volumes), and posthumously _Cosmography_. Since his death a recently discovered allotrope of carbon, the fullerenes, have been named in his honor. 2.0 Fuller's Ideas about Human Society: Critical Path Fuller was interested in all branches of the so-called "social sciences" and he made contributions to several. Much of this work was in Economics. He published several studies of industrial trends (including a famous 1940 issue of Fortune magazine which he inspired). He advocated the principle of "ephemeralization" or doing "more with less". He also advocated a design science revolution whereby designers use the principles of science in a well thought out way to accomplish greater and greater functionality with fewer and fewer energy resource investments for the benefit of 100% of humanity. This, in contradistinction to his "archenemy" Obnoxico Inc., which trys to make money out of thin air (or rocks) with little or no appreciable benefit to humankind. He founded the world game which explores the task of making the world work for 100% of all humanity. His major works in this area are _Critical Path_ and _Grunch of Giants_ wherein he also gives a unique perspective of the history of humans on Earth. 2.1.0 What is the Design Science Revolution? As I understand it this is basically Fuller's program for applying the principles of science to solving the problems of humanity in an aggressive, anticipatory and comprehensive way. Because the principle of ephemeralization shows that we can accomplish more and more functionality with less and less energy, material and time investment, "we are now able to do so much with so little that we can provide for the basic needs of 100% of humanity without disadvantaging anyone". Fuller suggests that by taking the design principles of Universe (as described in _Synergetics_ and elsewhere) and our consciously developed values, we can emerge from the present-day "dark ages" and prosper like never before in history. 2.1.1 When will the Design Science Revolution begin? [From Chris Fearnley] The Design Science Revolution has ALREADY begun During the 1980s, under the smoke screen of republican conservatism conveniently provided by the mass media, large numbers of individuals and groups have begun to organize the resources available to them to understand the world and begin the process of working for 100% of humanity. Here are some events that suggest that Earth may be entering the design science revolution as predicted by Buckminster Fuller: World Game grew to be an Institute, World Resources Institute was formed (c. 1982), The World Watch Institute began publishing a yearly State of the World Report, home computing explodes in numbers and quality and became ubiquitous, BBSing becomes an institution for intercommunication, [From Unknown] Some of my colleagues have been doing realtime strategizing where NEWIDEA="global design science revolution". Fuller's hypothesis was that lag times in social acceptance of new artifacts is a function of a natural gestation rate associated with different technological arenas e.g. novelty electronics proceed from drawing boards to end-users in a matter of years, whereas adoption of fundamental changes in household architecture is measured in decades. Obviously changes occur along different scales (geologic thru atomic). Some NEWIDEAs come with glacial-paced agendas that no amount of cleverness in strategy will accelerate beyond a top limit. 2.2 What is the "cosmic accounting system"? Fuller's Economics. [I think Fuller's example below is the best description. Typed in by Pat Salsbury.] The following is an excerpt from "Critical Path" by R. Buckminster ("Bucky") Fuller. (Copyright 1981, St. Martin's Press, NY - pp. 262-263) "...We have pointed out that the geologist Francois de Chardenedes wrote for me a scenario of the technology of nature's producing petroleum which disclosed that the amount of energy employed by nature as heat and pressure for the amount of time required to produce each gallon of petroleum, if paid for at the rate at which the public utilities now charge retail customers for electricity, must cost over a million dollars a gallon. Combine that information with the discovery that approximately 60 percent of the employed in U.S. America are working at tasks that are not producing any life support. Jobs of inspectors-of-inspectors; jobs with insurance companies that induce people to bet that their house is going to be destroyed by fire while the insurance company bets that it isn't. All these are negative preoccupations...jobs with the underwriting of insurance underwriters by other insurance underwriters -- people checking up on one another in all the different departments of the Treasury, the Internal Revenue, FBI, CIA, and in counterespionage. About 60 percent of all human activity in America is not producing any physical life protection, life support, or development accommodation, which physical life support alone constitutes real wealth. "The majority of Americans reach their jobs by automobile, probably averaging four gallons a day -- thereby, each is spending four million real cosmic-physical-Universe dollars a day without producing any physical Universe life-support wealth accredited in the energy-time -- metabolic -- accounting system eternally governing regenerative Universe. Humans are designed to learn how to survive only through trial-and-error-won knowledge. Long-known errors are, however, no longer cosmically tolerated. The 350 trillion cosmic dollars a day wasted by the 60 percent of no-wealth-producing human job-holders in the U.S.A., together with the $19 quadrillion a day wasted by the no-wealth-producing human job-holders in all other automobiles-to-work countries, also can no longer be cosmically tolerated. "Today we have computers that enable us to answer some very big questions if all the relevant data is fed into the computer and all the questions are properly asked. As for instance, "Which would cost society the least: to carry on as at present, trying politically to create more no-wealth-producing jobs, or paying everybody handsome fellowships to stay at home and save all those million-dollar-each gallons of petroleum?" Stated evermore succinctly, the big question will be: "Which costs more -- paying all present job-holders a billionaire's lifelong $400,000-a-day fellowship to stay at home, or having them each spend $4 million a day to commute to work?" Every computer will declare it to be much less expensive to pay people not to go to work. The same computers will also quickly reveal that there is no way in which each and every human could each day spend $400,000 staying at the most expensive hotels and doing equally expensive things; they could rarely spend 4000 of the 1980-deflated dollars a day, which is only 1 percent of a billionaire's daily income." [From Ross Keatinge] The most fundamental message I have got from his writings is about wealth. I cringe when I hear or read about a 'worldwide recession' and a 'depressed economy'. I know it sounds like common sense but I find it difficult to get people to realise that it is all our own doing. I work for a company which among other things does foreign exchange dealing. I'm not directly involved in but I always find it amusing when they talk about 'The Market' as if it is some alien entity which we have no control over. There has been some currency crises in recent times and I hear phases like "Everybody is watching the market very closly today", or "I hope the dollar doesn't drop any further today". I tend to see the population of the Earth as similar to a group of people living on an island with plenty of natural resources but some are starving because the people can't get their act together even though they have the technology to transport resources around the island. The latest 'Time' has a bit about the huge stockpiles of food in Europe they don't quite know what to do with. 2.3.0 What is the World Game? [keyed in by Patrick G. Salsbury.] This is an excerpt from "The Essential Whole Earth Catalog" (Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, NY) p. 89 " THE WORLD GAME "To make the World work / for 100% of Humanity / In the shortest possible time / Through spontaneous cooperation / Without ecological offense / Or the disadvantage of anyone." Buckminster fuller initiated the World Game in 1969 as one means of accomplishing this worthy goal. The idea is that with enough data on world resources and their distribution (including accumulated technology and problem-solving skills), the world's citizens will do what's best for all. Fuller assumed that once it was obvious that there was enough of everything to go around, people would stop fighting wars and get to work making the world work -- if not as a utopia at least not continuing the current suicidal path. World Game is still developing. Recent sessions use an enormous basketball-court-size map in order to more easily visualize various strategies as they are suggested by participants. A formidable software database called Global Data Manager allows individuals to play with the numbers on their PCs. 2.3.1 What is the World Game Institute? [Dane Winberg of the World Game Institute sent me this contribution.] World Game Institute is a non-profit, non-partisan, global education and research organization dedicated to developing and disseminating problem solving and educational tools. World Game was conceived by world renowned architect, philosopher and visionary, R. Buckminster Fuller as a creative problem solving tool whose goal is to "make the world work for 100% of humanity in the shortest possible time, through spontaneous cooperation and without ecological offense or the disadvantage of anyone." Global Recall 2.0 - A computer atlas featuring 300 world, regional and country maps and 600 data indicators for all countries; 18 essays on current global problems; a Solutions Lab section where you can describe your ideas for global solutions and compare them to real-world data. Comprised of several linked HyperCard stacks, available for Macintosh computers. Regular data updates. Global Data Manager - Available for DOS or Macintosh (currently only for system 6), GDM displays data on population, food, energy, education, natural resources, economics, etc. for the world, all continents and all countries. Separately sold disks of data from World Bank, World Resources Institute, UN. World Game Workshops - Interactive global simulations conducted for elementary and high schools, community groups, universities and corporations; adapted with an emphasis on world geography, history, current events, global issues, patterns of development, strategic options and sustainable solutions to local and global problems. World View Map for the Playground - A basketball court-sized world map is painted on elementary school playgrounds; includes an activities manual for several subject areas. World View Map for the Classroom - A smaller roll-out version of the playground map for indoor use. World Game Institute 3215 Race Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-2597 Phone: (215)387-0220 Fax: (215)387-3009 E-mail: XTM00002@DUVM.OCS.DREXEL.EDU [Posted by Ian Wells] INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD GAME INSTITUTE The World Game Institute is a non-profit research and education organization dedicated to developing technological and interactive tools for global problem solving. Among our many products and programs are: - Computer software products for researchers, primary and secondary schools, policy makers and others who need global information at their fingertips to help them create problem solving strategies that work; - Participatory workshops conducted for corporations, national governments, universities high schools and world organizations that demonstrate in real terms the distribution of resources around the world, and methods of using those resources to provide a quality standard of life for all humans without destroying the planet; - Museum exhibits which display the status of resource distribution around the world, and which demonstrate the impact of environmental, military and agricultural policy; - Publications which disseminate research methods and solutions for global problems, and demonstrating creative uses for the tools developed by the World Game Institute; - Playground maps of the world, supplied with teacher's training manuals and activities to make global education fun. The World Game was created by R. Buckminster Fuller, the eminent geometer, architect and thinker, as a creative alternative to war games. Participants in World Game workshops learn to see the world in terms of one population sharing the wealth of one planet, and "win" the Game when they meet the basic health, education, welfare and survival needs of the world's population. In its more sophisticated versions, the World Game also acts as a simulation and laboratory, used by policy makers, corporations and diplomats and world leaders to devise efficient problem solving strategies. ******The preceding was uploaded to CompuServe several months ago. The World Game Workshop, while conceived by Fuller, does not resemble the original Workshops closely at all. Neither is the World Game Institute actively involved in disseminating information about Fuller or pursuing his "synergetics" theory, per se. His theories are a jumping off point for the Institute, but we are not solely involved in propagating his teachings alone. Susan Caskey 2.3.2 What are the World Game Institutes "games" like? Did you know that some scientists have determined that the air could cleanse itself of all pollutants in TWO WEEKS if polluting stopped for that period of time? Did you know that all nuclear warheads would be non-explosive in 18-22 years if no tritium (sp?) was replaced in them? Briefly, The World Game is a three hour experience including a 1 1/2 hour trading simulation game played on a dymaxion projection of the Earth. Lots of slides and music is used to make it entertaining as well as educational. Fuller's intent was to design a game that would be an alternative to war games. Although the game content deals with many issues besides the environment such as hunger, nuclear proliferation, and education, the ideas of cooperation and coordination are pervasive and based on up-to-the-moment data on all of the issues. Costs are dependent on number of workshops to be held, distance travelled, etc. Figure around $3500 and up. But it is worth it! Often our district will spend anywhere from $5000-$10,000 for a speaker for an evening seminar. So don't flinch at the money yet. Janet Whitaker Rio Salado Community College Phoenix, Arizona 2.3.3 What is Global Data Manager (GDM)? To quote from the GDM manual: "If information is power, Global Data Manager is a powerful tool. Its intended purpose is to make accessible the vast amounts of statistical data upon which all fundamental resource allocation decisions in the world are made... Global Data Manager makes available for the first time, in an easy to use personal data computer format, the vital statistics of the world. Its purpose is to integrate into one system the world's most complete inventory of global data into an easy to use, personal computer based, problem analysis and solving system that is accessible to the researcher, policy maker, social activist, student, teacher, media and general public" Ian Wells Director, Social Impact Group Boston Computer Society 2.3.4 Does the World Game offer any solutions to the World Hunger Problem? I just latched onto a copy of "Ho-Ping: Food for Everyone," by Medard Gabel [CF: Medard Gabel is the executive director of the World Game Institute.] and the World Game Laboratory. It is INCREDIBLE! It addresses the World's Food supply/distribution problems from a holistic, comprehensive, design science approach. That is, by considering the ENTIRE planet, and 100% of humanity in all its study. -Patrick Salsbury 2.4.0 What were Fuller's views on religion/God? The following is a quote from pages 116 & 117 of "Ideas and Integrities"by R. Buckminster Fuller. (c) 1963 This actual passage is taken from something he wrote on Sunday, Nov. 7th, 1942, It is interesting to note how accurate the statements seem to be in our present time, despite their age. I got a kick out of them in light of the recent scandals in religious circles and all the other goings on. The statements come from Chapter Six of the Book. It is entitled "I Figure" and these two words are meant to proceed each of the ideas presented in the chapter. -Patrick Salsbury 1-11-90 "...that the people are now more deeply conscious than ever before in history of the existence and functioning principles of universal, inexorable physical laws; of the pervading, quietly counseling truth within each and every one of us; of the power of love; and--each man by himself--of his own developing, dynamic relationship with his own conception of the Almightiness of the All-Knowing. ...that our contemporaries just don't wear their faith on their sleeves anymore. ...that people have removed faith from their sleeves because they found out for themselves that faith is much too important for careless display. Now they are willing to wait out the days and years for the truthful events, encouraged individually from within; and the more frequently the dramatic phrases advertising love, patriotism, fervent belief, morals, and good fellowship are plagiarized, appropriated and exhibited in the show windows of the world by the propaganda whips for indirect and ulterior motives, no matter how meager the compromise--the more do people withdraw within themselves and shun taking issue with the nauseating perversions, though eternally exhibiting quiet indifference, nonchalance or even cultivating seeminly ignorant accceptance." 2.4.1 How did Bucky's "Ever Rethinking the Lord's Prayer" go? [Well, he came up with a new version each night! But here is one version posted by Leo Elliott.] The following is a transcription from a 1976 "Being With Bucky", New Dimensions Tapes, side 15 (parsing and punctuation by transcriptionist). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our God, who art in we even, even we who know most intimately of our own weaknesses, failures, faults, and outright sins our selfishness, fear and cupidity, of our moments of jealousy, rage and hate secret cover-ups, lies and self-deceits God even of we Our God -- our intuitively-apprehended comprehensive-admonisher Omni-experienced is your identity, the everywhere and everywhen evolving omnireality is your presence and as the reality differs _uniquely_ from moment to moment in respect to each individual so do you speak to each in exquisitely relevant, instructive terms regarding that which the individual can most effectively do not in behalf of self but in behalf of all humanity and Thus in support of the intellectual functioning of humans thereby in local universe support of the eternal integrity of omniregenerative universe which is God. As omniexperience, you have given us overwhelming manifest of your complete knowledge your complete comprehension your complete concern your complete wisdom your complete responsibility your complete co-ordination your complete competence to cope with any and all problems and of your utter reliability always so to do Yours, dear God, is all the glory. * * * We oft-times think of ourselves as independent individuals able to get on by ourselves by our own wits forgetting altogether that we did not invent those wits nor the incredibly complex, 99.9% automated biological organisms nor the rest of the universe with which they interfunction, all of which is entirely the prior competent conceptioning only of God. Yes dear God, yours _is_ all the Glory. You are the totally mysterious eternal integrity, both comprehensively and incisively governing the omni-intercomplementation and omni-interaccomodation of all physical and metaphysical experiences of ever and everywhere separately and complexedly intertransforming omni-regenerative universe. You are the synergetic integral of all truths. We have absolute trust and faith in you and we wish of you awe-inspiredly, thankfully, rejoicingly and lovingly -- for it's spontaneously feasable for humans to be wishful of the truth in awe of the truth thankful for the truth to rejoice in the truth and to love the truth and to love all the truths combined for all truths are omni-interaccomodative as are all the only mathematically-statable generalized principles discovered by human minds, experimentally verified by science to be externally governing complex interrelationships of physical universe. * * * Truths and principles never contradict one another. They are all concurrently omni-interaccomodative and all the truths are metaphysical cognitions by humans of special-case realizations of eternally-valid generalized principles. It is only through many repeated experiences and recognitions of the eternal principles their non-contradicting interaccomodations that each individual human progressively and only intuitively discovers the existence of eternal principles and their special-case manifests and the truths of everyday events and all the truths, as our lives discover them, trend to integrate in synergetic perfection beyond the special-case experiencing of inherently terminal ergo inherently limited human conceptioning, comprehension and communication... 2.5 What is the Global Energy Grid idea? [From _Critical Path_ by RBF, 1981, p. 206.] "It is engineeringly demonstrable that there is no known way to deliver energy safely from one part of the world to another in larger quatities and in swifter manner than by high-voltage-conducted 'electricity.' For the first half of the twentieth century the limit-distance of technically practical deliverability of electricity was 350 miles. As a consequence of the post-World War II space program's employment and advancement of the invisible metallurgical, chemical, and electronics more-with-lessing technology, twenty-five years ago it became technically feasible and expedient to employ ultra-high-voltage and superconductivity, which can deliver electrical energy within a radial range of 1500 miles from the system's dynamo generators. "To the World Game seminar of 1969 I presented my integrated, world-around, high-voltage electrical energy network concept. Employing the new 1500-mile transmission reach, this network made it technically feasible to span the Bering Straits to integrate the Alaskan U.S.A. and Canadian networks with Russia's grid, which had recently been extended eastward into northern Siberia and Kamchatka to harness with hydroelectric dams the several powerful northwardly flowing rivers of northeasternmost U.S.S.R. This proposed network would interlink the daylight half of the world with the nighttime half. "Electrical-energy integration of the night and day regions of the Earth will bring all the capacity into use at all times, thus overnight doubling the generating capacity of humanity because it will integrate all the most extreme night and day peaks and valleys. From the Bering Straits, Europe and Africa will be integrated westwardly through the U.S.S.R., and China, Southeast Asia; India will become network integrated southwardly through the U.S.S.R. Central and South America will be integrated southwardly through Canada, the U.S.A., and Mexico." [GENI (Global Energy Network International) is pursuing this idea. Here is Nov '90 contact info for them. From Melcir Erskine-Richmond.] Peter Meisen, Director Global Energy Network International PO Box 24455 SAN DIEGO, CA. 92124, USA Fax: 619/595-0403 Ph: 619/595-0139 2.6 What is a "trimtab"? [From Blaine A. D'Amico.] A Trimtab is a tiny flap that controls the rudder on a ship or airplane. When the rudder needs to be moved, this tiny "trimtab" is adjusted which creates a low pressure area on one side and turns the rudder. Bucky used the word to illustrate what the little individual can do to "turn the great ship of state". He also noted that the ship has [already] passed the point where the turn is occurring. This might be a comfort to those on the bow wondering if we have missed our chance to change course. Bucky's gravestone says simply "Call me TRIMTAB" 2.7 Was Bucky a socialist? Not exactly. Though he did speak fondly of socialism (mostly the "take care of everyone" ideas of socialism). The following exchange clarifies this a bit. Blaine A. D'Amico: Fuller said nothing about redistribution. His Design Science revolution is based in raising the living standard of the 'have-nots' and 'have-lesses' without taking away from the haves. This is done through ephemeralization "more with less". Patrick G. Salsbury: He did, however, discuss DISTRIBUTION, and how the intelligent application of that could solve problems like global food shortages, etc. 2.8 What were Fuller's views on Education? [From robert l lamons] I am anomored with his writings on education. For someone that had so much difficulty with standard education models he did quite well. I first read about his theory on "Education" in Operating manual for Spaceship Earth, chapeters 3,4 and 5 I believe. I have read his other books on education too. All lead to the same conclusion, that education is active and must be sought, not something that you can sit down and drink up as someone pours it out to you. We have modeled our educational theories after this and are now "organically" homeschooling our 5 children. That is what we like most about Bucky. 2.9 What is the difference between "Class I" and "Class II" evolution? [Critical Path, p. 229-30] "Class-two evolutionary trendings are all those events that seem to be resultant upon human initiative-taking or political reforms that adjust to the changes wrought by the progressive introduction of environment- altering artifacts. All the class-two evolutionary events tend to flatter human ego and persuade hmanity to deceive itself by taking credit for favorable changes in circumstances while blaming other humans or 'acts of God' for unfavorable changes. It therfore assumes that humanity is running the Universe wherefore, if its power-structure leaders decide that is is valid to cash in all of nature's available riches to further enrich the present rich or to protect them militarily from attacks by their assumed enemies - all at the cost of teminating human presence on planet Earth - that is the power-structure leader's divine privilege. "All the class-one evolutionary trending is utterly transcendental to any human vision, planning, manipulation, and corruption. Class-one evolution accounts for humans' presence on Earth. It accounts for their having always been born naked, helpless for months, and inexperiened - ergo, ignorant, hungry, thirsty, curious, and therfore fated to learn how to survive only through trial-and-error-won, progressive accumulation of experience. Class-one evolution accounted for humanity's all-unexpected invention of verbal (aural, sound) communication, and thereby the integration of the experience-won information of the many, whereby the integrated information of the many increased the capability of humanity at large to cope with the exigencies of life. It is class-one evolution that led, after the progressive integration of the total experince-won information, to the unpredicted invention of writing or visual communication, by means of which the dead could speak to the living and within which total written information history human mind from time to time discovered repetitieve patterns, which in turn sometimes led to the discovery of generalized scientific principles." 2.10 How to house humanity? And other reflections on Making the World work. Housing humanity was Fuller's motivation for designing the Dymaxion House and the Geodesic Dome (See section 4 of the FAQ for more on these inventions). Fuller designed them because of the tremendous waste and inadequacy of cube dwellings. Also see section 4.8 and 4.9 on re-designing cities. [From Kirby Urner] And I'm one of the *lucky* ones! I've got indoor plumbing and heat! No way we can supply the world's billions with these assets using the sadly obsolete construction methods of yesteryear, perpetuated with cosmetic improvements decade after decade. The USA living standard cannot be replicated globally, nor should it be, as inappropriate, wasteful and Dark Aged as it is! May the Chinese do it better! A story on the radio the other day said metal is becoming more popular among construction workers in this age of dwindling forests and climbing lumber prices. For one thing, you can screw instead of nail. Imagine, pro-metal propaganda on the radio -- in Oregon! The lumber industry is fighting back, saying mines are at least as damaging to the environment as logging. But Fuller's point was that the majority of the metals we need are already mined, and can be recycled over and over (the dwellings will be designed with recycling in mind, kind of like the Germans have been doing with some models of BMW). The old housing stock won't disappear -- decades of remodeling await the avid remodelers. But I wish those of us who are being pushed to the periphery by high housing costs had more to look forward to than mobile home courts. I'm always passing these mobile homes on the backs of trucks on the freeway -- Caution Wide Load. Why do helicopter deliveries from the local dealer to less paved over and bulldozed environs sound so far out and "futuristic"? Fuller's little energy-harvesting, grid-autonomous units, constellated in remote little campus-communities, would make ideal living and learning environments -- good places for children. [From Leo Elliott] "Why do helicopter deliveries... sound so far out and 'futuristic'?" I think the most telling answer is implied in a word contained in Kirby's next sentence: "Fuller's little energy-harvesting, grid-autonomous units, constellated in remote little campus-communities..." the key word being "grid-autonomous." As per "Grunch of Giants", pushers do not like it when users decide they want to "grow their own", be it homes, domes, education, or local support systems. Supposedly the dymaxion bathroom, mentioned here previously, received rave reviews until the plumbers unions of the time found out that it would be completely user-installable, thus depriving them of their "standard fees." I would suspect that it has been this whole notion of de-centralized energy systems (centrifugal energy flow/centripetal info flow) which has, over the years, aside from Fuller's personal suasions and disuasions, been the most threatening (to the "giants") aspect of his overall program -- live anywhere you want, do what you want, all paid for by the dole, which itself will be more than paid for by the return on investment of those marvelous discoveries and inventions made by the less-than-1% who would produce the most wonderful synergy-revealing artifacts. [From Kirby Urner] Leo Elliott writes: > I would suspect that it has been this whole notion of de-centralized energy > systems... which has... been the most threatening (to the "giants") aspect > of [Fuller's] overall program Perhaps, perhaps. But think of the business interests in *favor* too: a huge aftermarket in user-installables (similar to computer component add-ons). Cellular phone and fax demands, satellite TV, the education and info-tainment dialup video needs of remotely deployed home-schoolers, a growing sector of under/unemployed defense workers with aerospace savvy... And the utility grids will *still* have LA, Paris and Tokyo to power. Its not like a sprinkling of grid-autonomous dust is going to spell 'lights out' in the sprawling megalopolis already covering the planet. Moreover, Fuller was hardly "anti-grid" what with his bi-hemispheric vision of same... Recall that "the industry industry missed" (July 1932, Fortune magazine) was initially very appealing to industrialists in the pre-war 30s, including such as GE -- was briefly subject of what we'd nowadays call "media hype". The unions (along with the banks and county zoning boards) might have killed it, but the duck was lame to begin with -- or at least this is what Fuller says in retrospect: "Fortune made the mistake of assuming 'the industry industry missed' had at last come of age... Evolution was clearly intent on postponing the inception of the livingry service industry until humanity had graduated from its pre-twentieth centry condition as a planet of remote nations... all of which waited upon the completeion of a world-around network of... telephones ... and jumbo jet airplanes." (G of G, pp xvii-iii). [From Kirby Urner] Adequate shelter for all humans is possible. Not using forest products though. I think what tent life and Fuller's homes have in common is energy-autonomy. With a Fuller unit, I can plunk down in the middle of nowhere. The tripod of my Fly's Eye is adjustable for bumpy, slopey terrain. I didn't have to rip a road through the wilderness to get it here. I didn't have to pour a foundation or bulldoze or whatever. Say I'm a student of ecology. A university consortium has these "remote campus deployment" units that programs rent for a few weeks or months. Whole little communities deploy, doing minimal damage to the environment, make their studies (staying in touch with cellular internet etc.), and leave. The noisey helicopter part only comes at the beginning and the end, and maybe once a week during the middle. I say we look at cities as huge campuses (the "city as campus" metaphor) and all humans as would-be students in a Global University. Work-study options, life-long "learning a living" scenarios give you access to all kinds of facilities, travel. Fuller computed that our global energy budget (solar derived) gave us enough to offer fellowships to all those impoverished and living in shanty towns, minus any really good education. I think many families in the Philippines would jump at the chance to enroll in the Global University. If you like the outdoors life, and growing food, or fishing, well, that can be arranged. 3.0 Synergetics In its broadest sense synergetics is the hypothesized coordinate system of the Universe - both its physical and metaphysical aspects. Fuller developed a system of epistemography and mathematical-physics (simply called "synergetics") which attempts to disclose how Nature actually operates - using "operational mathematics." Fuller claimed that synergetics can be understood by children (though they probably couldn't read his main books on the subject :). He published this material in his essay "Omni-directional Halo" (in the book _No More Secondhand God_), _Synergetics: Explorations in the Geometry of Thinking_, _Synergetics 2: Further Explorations in the Geometry of Thinking_, and _Cosmography_. >From my own study of synergetics, I'm convinced that Bucky did in fact identify the coordinate system used by Nature. But I would add the caveat that he didn't get too far along in figuring it out. Fuller points to where the coordinate system is in broad Strokes. He gives many penetrating insights and new discoveries, but the synergetics coordinate system needs a lot more development before it will be possible to replace the current (and wrong) XYZ coordinate system. [From Kirby Urner.] Synergetics: A metaphoric language for communicating experiences using geometric concepts. Thinking is the tuning in/out of systems. Systems are spherical networks of interrelated points of interest. The density of points is a measure of a system's "frequency" -- super high frequency systems approach sphericity. The minimal system with the fewest possible points is a tetrahedron -- four points make a primitive volume with an inside and an outside. The canonical tetrahedron has a volume of one. The tetrahedron may be sliced up into 24 irregular tetrahedra (12 left handed, 12 right handed) called A modules. The octahedron is comprised of 48 A and 48 B modules of equal volume = 4 x the volume of the tetrahedron. A & B modules may be used to assemble the cube (x3 tetravolumes), rhombic dodecahedron (x6 tetravolumes), and the Coupler (x1 tetravolume). The Coupler, with the same volume as the tetrahedron (1), is an irregular octahedron that packs together to fill space without gaps. Radiation is explosive outwardly while Gravitation is an implosive squeezing at 90 degrees to Radiation, i.e. is circumferential. Metaphysically, Gravity networks points of interest into systems of interrelated thoughts while Radiation drains away the sense of our systems and turns them into meaningless noise. Radiation is compression, Gravity is tension. Radiation is Entropy. Gravity is Love. Clearly this is not Physics but a more metaphorical language for communicating experiences using geometric concepts. This is Synergetics. [CF: I think Fuller's synergetics describes real physics. Though it is true as Kirby points out that Bucky's presentation is more "descriptive" than "hard" physics. I contend that because Fuller is "right on" in his decription, it is up to us to find the "hard" physics interpretation behind his "metaphors."] 3.1 What is "synergy"? >From Bucky's _Synergetics_ [101.01-102]: "Synergy means behavior of whole systems unpredicted by the behavior of their parts taken seperately. "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 interattraction of their respective masses. This mass attraction (gravity being a special case of mass attracion) 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 seperately 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. 3.2 What is Fuller's definition of "Universe"? [From Synergetics, [301.00-302]] "Universe is the aggregate of all humanity's consciously apprehended and communicated nonsimultaneous and only partially overlapping experiences. "'Aggregate' means sum-totally but nonunitarily conceptual as of any one moment. 'Consciousness' means an awareness of the otherness. 'Apprehension' means information furnished by those wave frequencies tunable within man's limited sensorial spectrum. 'Communicated' means informing self or others. 'Nonsimultaneous' means not occuring at the same time. 'Overlapping' is used because every event has a duration, and their initiatings and teminatings are most often of different duration. Neither the set of all 'experiences' nor the set of all the words used to describe them are instantly reviewable nor are they of the same length. Experences are either involuntary (subjective) or voluntary (objective), and all experiences, both physical and metaphysical, are finite because each begins and ends." 3.3.0 What is the "isotropic vector matrix" [IVM]? [From Synergetics, [420.01]] "When the centers of equiradius spheres in closest packing are joined by most economical lines, i.e., by geodesic vectorial lines, an isotropic vector matrix is disclosed - 'isotropic' meaning 'everywhere the same,' 'isotropic vector' meaning 'everywhere the same energy conditions.' This matrix constitutes an array of equilateral triangles that corresponds with the comprehensive coordination of nature's most economical, most confortable, structural interrelationships employing 60-degree association and disassociation. Remove the spheres and leave the vectors, and you have the octahedron-tetrahedron complex, the octet truss, the isotropic vector matrix." 3.3.1 I wondered if hexagonal closest packing forms an IVM? Also, is a diamond cubic structure the same as an IVM? Steve Mather HCP allows infinite permutations as successive layers of spheres do not need to lie over top a specific hole in the layer 2 down. HCP is not a restrictive enough packing method to generate the IVM per se. The IVM is equivalent to the face-centered cubic packing (FCC). I believe all diamond atoms occupy FCC positions, but leave others empty. Buckminsterfullerene will pack into an IVM (appropriately), and, with potassium wedged in some of the interstices, become a superconductor. -- Kirby 3.4 What is the "vector equilibrium" [VE]? [From Synergetics [205.01]] "The geometrical model of energy configurations in synergetics is developed from a symmetrical cluster of spheres, in which each sphere is a model of a field of energy all of whose forces tend to coordinate themselves, shuntingly or pulsatively, and only momentarily in positive or negative asymmetrical patterns relative to, but never congruent with, the eternality of the vector equilibrium. The vectors connecting the centers of the adjacent spheres are identical in length and angular relationship. The forces of the field of energy represented by each sphere interoscillate through the symmetry of equilibrium to various asymmetries, never pausing at equilibrium. The vector equilibrium itself is only a referential pattern of conceptual relationships at which nature never pauses." 3.5 What is the jitterbug? [Making this model will greatly ease understanding of the jitterbug transformation described below. I use 6" dowels joined together with surgical tubing. Cut the surgical tubing into 2" pieces. Use a washer to form a four-valent vertex joining two pieces of the surgical tubing [or insert one piece of 2" tubing into a hole (you must cut it yourself) in another 2" piece of tubing to create the vertex]. The diameter of the surgical tubing should be very slightly (1/16") smaller in diameter than the dowels. You will need 24 such struts and 12 such vertices. Geometers call the shape of the VE a "cuboctahedron."] [From Synergetics, [460.01-460.05]] "The 'jitterbug' is the finitely closed, external vector structuring of a vector-equilibrium model constructed with 24 struts, each representing the push-pull, action-and-reaction, local compression vectors, all of them cohered tensionally to one another's ends by flexible joints that carry only tension across themselves, so that the whole system of only-locally-effective compression vectors is comprehensively cohered by omniembracing continuous four sliced hexagonal cycles' tension. "When the vector-equilibrium 'jitterbug' assembly of eight triangles and six squares is opened, it may be hand-held in the omnisymmetry confomation of the vector equilbibrium 'idealized nothingness of absolute middleness.' If one of the vector equilibrium's triangles is held by both hands in the following manner - with that triangle horizontal and parallel to and above a tabletop; with one of its apexes pointed away from the holder and the balance of the jitterbug system dangling symmetrically; with the opposite and lowest triangle, opposite to the one held just parallel to and contacting the tabletop, with one of its apexes pointed toward the individual who is handholding the jitterbug - and then the top triangle is deliberately lowered toward the triangle resting on the table without allowing either the triangle on the table or the triangle in the operator's hands to rotate (keeping hands clear of the rest of the system), the whole vector equilibrium array will be seen to be both rotating equatorially, parallel to the table but not rotationg its polar-axis triangles, the top one of which the operating individual is hand-lowering, while carefully avoiding any horizontal rotation of, the top triangle in respect to which its opposite triangle, resting frictionally on the table, is also neither rotating horizontally nor moving in any direction at all. "While the equatorial rotating results from the top triangle's rotationless lowering, it will also be seen that the whole vector-equilibrium array is contracting symmetrically, that is, all of its 12 symmetrically radiated vertexes move synchronously and symmetrically toward the common volumetric center of the spherically chorded vector equilibrium. As it contracts comprehensively and always symmetrically, it goes through a series of geometrical-transformation stages. It becomes first an icosahedron and then an octahedron, with all of its vertexes approaching one another symmetrically and without twisting its axis. "At the octahedron stage of omnisymmetrical contraction, all the vectors (strut edges) are doubled together in tight parallel, with the vector equilibrium's 24 struts now producing two 12-strut-edged octahedra congruent with one another. If the top triangle of the composite octahedron (which is the triangle hand-held from the start, which had never been rotated, but only lowered with each of its three vertexes approaching exactly perpendicularly toward the table) is now rotated 60 degrees and lowered further, the whole structural system will transform swiftly into a tetrahedron with it original 24 edges now quadrupled together in the six-edge pattern of the tetrahedron, with four tetrahedra now congruent with one another. Organic chemists would describe it as a quadrivalent tetrahedral structure. "Finally, the model of the tetrahedron turns itself inside out and oscillates between inside and outside phases. It does this as three of its four triangular faces hinge open around its base triangle like a flower bud's petals opening and hinging beyond the horizontal plane closing the tetrahedron bud below the base triangle." [From Blaine A. D'Amico.] For a full (and quite mind boggling) discussion of these Jitterbug Transformers see "The Complete set of Jitterbug Transformers and the analysis of their motion" by H.F. Verheyen in COMPUTERS, MATH AND APPLICATIONS Vol 17, No. 1-3 pp. 203-250, 1989. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 12 Jun 1994 03:08:38 GMT Reply-To: "Christopher J. Fearnley" Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: "Christopher J. Fearnley" Organization: Critical Path Project Subject: R. Buckminster Fuller Frequently asked Questions and Answers (Part 5 of 5) Posted-By: auto-faq 2.4 Archive-name: bucky-fuller-faq/part5 Version 0.95 Happy 98 and 11/12 birth anniversary, Bucky! This is the Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQ) Resource on R. Buckminster Fuller. It is based primarily on the history of the discussions, interests, and needs of the readers of the BITNET list GEODESIC and it's USENET gateway bit.listserv.geodesic. So some of the information could be in error (especially addresses and phone numbers). The FAQ is maintained by Chris Fearnley (cfearnl@cpp.pha.pa.us). Please send all errors and suggestions to me. The FAQ is released (usually with modifications) on the 12th of each month (to celebrate Bucky's monthly birth anniversary - He was born 12 July 1895). This document still has a lot of fluff in it. But rather than risk losing the wisdom of the net, I have included most everyone's answers to just about everything. In time I hope to distill the net wisdom further with careful editing. Also, I still l haven't gone through the '94 logs from GEODESIC nor the material on the FIX BBS. So the next version will undoubtedly be larger still. Also, the list of Fuller-related companies and manufacturers is incomplete and probably fairly inaccurate. Please send me corrections. I don't even have the BFI in here. They never told me they moved and I don't know the current address. Anyone know when they will get out of the "dark ages" and join us here on the net? Or at least share with their members their new address. BTW, I won't be sending this document to them for inclusion in the archives. If someone in Santa Barbara can slip them a disk, I'm sure they'd be gratified. Finally, if you see that one of your quotes is unclear, please send me clarifications. Bracketed citations refer to the material that follows. Some citations are quoted directly from the logs and follow the material. Beware of outdated information: this information is culled from old log files and is not necessarily up-to-date. Please follow-up with discussion and questions to bit.listserv.geodesic or to the mailing list geodesic@ubvm (see 6.2 for details). Contents: 1.0 Introductory 2.0 Fuller's Ideas about Human Society: Critical Path 2.1.0 What is the Design Science Revolution? 2.1.1 When will the Design Science Revolution begin? 2.2 What is the "cosmic accounting system"? Fuller's Economics. 2.3.0 What is the World Game? 2.3.1 What is the World Game Institute? 2.3.2 What are the World Game Institutes "games" like? 2.3.3 What is Global Data Manager (GDM)? 2.3.4 Does the World Game offer any solutions to the World Hunger Problem? 2.4.0 What were Fuller's views on religion/God? 2.4.1 How did Bucky's "Ever Rethinking the Lord's Prayer" go? 2.5 What is the Global Energy Grid idea? 2.6 What is a "trimtab"? 2.7 Was Bucky a socialist? 2.8 What were Fuller's views on Education? 2.9 What is the difference between "Class I" and "Class II" evolution? 2.10 How to house humanity? And other reflections on Making the World work. 3.0 Synergetics 3.1 What is "synergy"? 3.2 What is Fuller's definition of "Universe"? 3.3.0 What is the "isotropic vector matrix" [IVM]? 3.3.1 I wondered if hexagonal closest packing forms an IVM? Also, is a diamond cubic structure the same as an IVM? 3.4 What is the "vector equilibrium"? 3.5 What is the jitterbug? 3.6 What is Fuller's concept of "space"? 3.7 What is a "system"? 3.8 What is the "minimal system"? 3.9 What is the "omnidirectional halo"? 3.10 Does synergetics provide an extension or modification of the 'scientific method?' 3.11 Are there connections between synergetics and fullerenes (besides the name, of course? 3.12 Why use synergetics conversion factors and other irrationals? 3.13 What is Precession? 3.14 What is the equation for finding the volume of a pyramid? 4.0 Geodesic Domes and Other Inventions 4.1.0 What is a geodesic dome? 4.1.1 Does a dome really weigh less than its component materials? 4.1.2 What are some features of underground, concrete domes? 4.1.3 What are geotangent domes? 4.1.4 What are the advangates (and disadvantages) of Dome Life? 4.1.5 How to use solar panels in domes? 4.1.6 Dome References [Oldest material first] 4.2.0 Dome Math: What you've all been waiting for!!! 4.2.1 Dome Theory 4.2.2 What are the basics of Spherical Trigonometry? 4.2.3 How to tesselate a sphere? 4.2.4 Chord Factors - the nitty gritty. 4.3.0 What is a tensegrity model? 4.3.1 How to Build Tensegraties? 4.3.2 Who was Kenneth Snelson and what was his role in the invention of tensegrities? 4.4 What are "cloud nines"? 4.5 What is "dymaxion"? 4.6 What is the Dymaxion Car? 4.7 What is a "fog gun"? 4.8 What was Fuller's Floating City design? 4.9 What was the Old Man's River City Project (circular cities)? 4.10 What was the Dymaxion Deployment Unit? 4.11.0 What is the Dymaxion Map? 4.11.1 Other stuff about the Dymaxion Map. 4.12 What was the Dymaxion House? 5.0 Miscellany 5.1.0 What are "fullerenes" and "buckyballs"? 5.1.1 What are some of the properties of the fullerenes? 5.1.2 What are buckytubes? 5.1.3 What are "endohedral fullerenes"? 5.2 What is Biosphere II? 5.3 Was Fuller formally educated? 5.4 Will there be a 1995 commemorative stamp marking Bucky's 100th? 5.5 Bibliography: Culled from several postings 5.6 Organizations and Corporations mentioned on GEODESIC (incomplete and dated) [Mostly dome-type manufacturers.] 5.7 Computer tools (may or may not be useful to dome design or synergetics). 5.8 Fuller's "failures." 5.9 Where would you encourage your best friend to start in the Fuller literature? (For maximum ease of mastery) 5.10 Quotes and Coinages. 5.11 Evaluating the value of the Man, Bucky: humanitarian or cold-hearted technocrat? 5.12 What was the nature of Fuller's involvement with Werner Erhardt, EST and the World Hunger Project? 5.13 What were relations between Fuller and his Students? 5.14 What is GENESIS II? 5.15 Could Fuller's proposed Very Large Structures work? 6.0 Net Resources 6.1 Buckminsterfullerenes Update Service and Fullerene Bibliography 6.2 List GEODESIC: GEODESIC@UBVM.BITNET 6.3 FIX (Fuller Information eXchange) BBS 6.4 WWW (World Wide Web) sources 5.9 Where would you encourage your best friend to start in the Fuller literature? (For maximum ease of mastery) [Jeff Perth] See the Bibliography 5.5 for full citations. _Cosmography_ is a great introduction. _Critical Path_ is also very good. _Synergetics_ (both volumnes) can be started immediately, but be prepared to build lots of models to clarify the text (and/or set it aside for awhile when the going gets tough :) Several fun but less complete works are _Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth_, _Tetrascroll: Goldilocks and the Three Bears: A Cosmic Fairy Tale_, _No More Secondhand God: And Other Writings_, and _Grunch of Giants_. [From Leo Elliott] I would highly recommend, for those who may wish to see the genesis of some of Bucky's ideas, a review of his 1938 "Nine Chains to the Moon". 5.10 Quotes and Coinages. "Dare to be Naive" -RBF in "Moral of the Work" in _Synergetics_ "Ownership is onerous" -RBF [From Kirby Urner] Greetings "buckyophiles"! <-- term coined by Gene Fowler, the armed-robber poet-founder of the Regeniusing Project. 5.11 Evaluating the value of the Man, Bucky: humanitarian or cold-hearted technocrat? [Admittedly to call the below thread distilled wisdom is pushing it. Maybe I will think up some way to edit it down into some pity conclusion, but not today, sorry. Perhaps you like this lengthly discussion? E-mail me with commentary.] [From Gerry Segal] Bob Stubenrauch of Canton Ohio wrote a letter in today's [18 Oct 1993] "New York Times": "The awesome earthquake in India with its tremendous loss of life brought back memories of two weeks with Buckminster Fuller, the engineer and inventor, 40 years ago. "I was working for a custom photo lab in New York. Mr. Fuller brought in a notebook, every page filled with his crabbed notes and wonderful sketches of his ideas. For two weeks I printed photo reproductions of that notebook, while Mr. Fuller chatted at my side in the darkroom. "One of his dazzling concepts was for housing the poor people of India. He had planned a huge factoryand airport complex for that purpose. In the factory were assembly lines producing lightweight geodesic domes, the walls covered in a heavy transparent plastic. "Each dome had a ring mount at the peak, and as it came off the line a waiting helicopter would hook up and fly off with the dome swinging below. The sketches showed a sky full of these choppers in formation, flying off to a prepared site to set down an instant town. "Fuller's estimated cost per unit (this was very low-wage India of the early 50s) was $40. "It is a sad irony that ancient traditions, like the dangerous use of unsupported clay or stone blocks, continue, when visionary concepts like Fuller's could have saved thousands of lives if implemented for housing. It was accepted, and hundreds of domes built, for our early-warning radar outpost in Alaska, the DEW line of cold-war days. "New technology is always first embraced by the military, a sad commentary on the priorities of governments." Mr. Stubenrauch was right. The structural tension-compression equillibrium of the domes would have saved massive amounts of life. We communicate in this electronic environment on an electronic highwayay that also grew from the loins of the Defense Department ARPANET. Maybe we can use this and other lists to help create the development of innovative ideas without using the "rearview mirror" approach of the military. We have to do it to get through what Bucky called Humankind's "Final Exam." [From Alex Soojung-Kim Pang] I read the _New York Times_ letter with interest, since it was the first citation I'd seen of Fuller's thinking on using domes as emergency shelters. And certainly Mr. Stubenrauch is right to raise the question of whether military "first use" of high technology speaks well of the values of the society supporting that military. However, while Fuller may have had sketches in his notebook showing domes airlifted to the Third World, and in the early 1960s did a couple short courses in architecture schools on the use of indigenous materials (especially bamboo) in dome-building, it is important to remember that the dome's use by the military happened not in spite of Fuller, but because of him. In fact, in reviewing Fuller's research in the 1950s, I find that he never presented students with the challenge of using the dome to solve Third World housing problems. He had a carefully-managed network of small consulting firms, architecture schools in which he held visiting lectureships, and a good-sized group of student volunteers (he was, in fact, an able if unusual manager who was deeply concerned with questions of securing patrons, exerting control over intellectual property rights, etc.) in this period, and they spent most of their time working on military and civilian defense applications of the dome. The initial studies for the DEW line domes, for example, were done by Fuller and students (mainly students) at MIT; studies for the Marine Corps were conducted at MIT, Tulane, NC State, and Virginia Tech. Other students designed automated cotton mills in geodesic domes, and worked under Fuller on designing private and public structures that could withstand atomic bomb blasts. Studies of how the dome could be put to more humanitarian uses, in contrast, seem to have received almost no formal attention from Fuller or his students. This is not to say that Fuller was not interested in the dome being used in the Third World; but his vision, at least as described to his military patrons, was rather more complex and perhaps more sinister than Mr. Stubenrauch reports. Fuller articulated this vision in letters now held in the Marine Corps Historical Center archives; in them, he complimented the Corps for their interest in using domes in forward logistics plans (in which domes, filled with aircraft repair equipment, would be rushed to contested areas in the Third World at the first sign of Communist mischief, shortening logistics lines and allowing stronger support for air wings), and that they had discovered the key to winning to the Cold War. To quote: "The Marine Corps [has created] and unexpectedly double-barreled gun: one barrel for the hot war, one barrel for the cool war. The hot war barrel of the Geodesic structures weapon will function in the manner we have outlines above [e.g. in providing logistics and repair facilities for aircraft]..... The cool barrel of the Geodesic structures weapon-inadvertently adopted by the Marine Corpos- is the barrel which can now hit directly, instantly, and effectively at the heart of every peace-time economic pattern the world around.... "The logic governing the possibility of our winning the cool war runs as follows: controlled environment is the comprehensive package which contains and permits the uniquely high vantage functionings of industrialization. And it is towards industrialization that peoples of the world now direct the war-detouring hopes of swift emancipation from all the fundamental physical disadvantages and lethan deficiencies.... And, every function of further world-around industrialization is dependent upon the accelerated realization of comprehensively deployable environment controls.... "The swift delivery half-way around the world... of all manner of controlled environment structures... is a first requirement of all integrated agricultural and industrial economics - from farm buildings to factories, to governments, to homes.... If world man can witness the economically realized production of controlled environments capable of converting to man's unprecedented advantage the most hostile environment events of converting to man's unprecedented advantage the most hostile environmental events... then world man's intuitive response will be to focus his hopes of swiftest emancipation from 'what ails him' toward the heart of the American economy and the democratic processes which provide the sunergetic strength of the U.S.A." Fuller's other writings and speeches from this period deliver (broadly) the same message: that domes, filled with power stations, hospitals, factories, etc., preassembled in the United States and airlifted to underdeveloped countries, would yield overnight industrialization and the reconstitution of these nations into American-style societies and economies. This vision is a far cry from the emergency shelters; it is also the one Fuller invested more in, and in which he was more interested. The domes weren't empty, either in a literal or political sense. [From Kirby Urner] Alex -- I cannot initially agree with your thesis, although I might see your points better with further elaboration. True, Fuller was well-nigh incomprehensible to a large percentage of his listeners, partly because he threw out words like "tetrahedron" with high frequency (a glaze-over word), but mostly because he used what people called his "boardroom drawl" -- he slurred his words together pretty seriously. Nevertheless, what came out of his mouth, transcribed, does not appear so divergent from what he wrote (I have 40 hours of transcribed audiotape in my collection to compare with his books). I really don't think differences in the spoken vs. printed Fuller accounts for the Whole Earth vs. Roszak dichotomy. Like any lifelong writer, Fuller recapitulates and recontextualizes his earlier writings in later texts, trying to give his readers a sense of what *he* thinks is relevant. His early work for the Dept of Commerce & Forbes Magazine, he later tells us, was important because it got people to measure wealth in terms of energy use per capita, vs tonnage of raw materials per capita. His emphasis back then, as later, was on "doing more with less" -- the Dymaxion House being the paradigm example. Time to get away from the idea that higher living standards involves consuming more "stuff" per capita -- or even more energy, ultimately. My personal feeling is that Roszak is fundamentally suspicious of Fuller's assertion that "artifacts" make a bigger difference than political movements. To Roszak's ears, Fuller is promoting a "quick fix" through technology, offering as a solution what appears to have gotten us into such deep waters in the first place. The Whole Earth folks, on the other hand, are not technophobic but trend more towards the Cyberpunkish end of the spectrum, these days embracing VR and the internet as part of their preferred future. Both are reading/hearing the same text and reacting according to their predelictions. Both currents were part of the counter-culture, so it is not surprising that the counter-culture was schizophrenic about Fuller. Fuller himself was a New England Transcendentalist, in the mold of Emerson and his great aunt, Margaret Fuller. He was a mystic. In Fuller's universe, technology is synonymous with the physical. Nature is the supreme architect and technophile, her creatures being far and away more sophisticated than anything humans have themselves consciously invented. For Fuller, the technology vs nature dichotomy did not exist and he was dismayed that the counter-culture might throw out the technology baby with the evil-uses-of-same bath water. In sum, I think, as you do, that Fuller was controversial, but not because his listeners and his readers were getting (or not getting) seriously different pictures of the man. [And more from Kirby] The fact remains, that in presenting US Marine readers with visions of made-in-the-USA living standards, to be spread around the globe to "make the world safe for democracy," Fuller is (1) replacing fantasies of ultimate killingry with visions of livingry as the primary means to the desired end (victory for the USA) and (2) casting the problem as one of "detouring war" -- a goal shared by all sides in the 'cool war' (thus common ground with the enemy is established). I think it is Fuller's ultimate faith in the power of *artifacts* and visions focusing on same, that allows him to work in ways that, from a political point of view, are ideologically inconsistent. How can he sound like such a cold warrior and still be the "gentle genius" of 1960s pop culture? I think we need to take Fuller at his word here: he was radically *apolitical* and willing to propagandize livingry artifacts in whatever ways would speak to his primary audience, in the this case the defense establishment. I don't have a problem with these ideological position once I see the common thread throughout: only be raising living standards globally can we detour war. Obviously a Third World (both inside and outside USA national boundaries) in constant need of emergency shelters cannot be the end for which we are striving. The goal was to raise living standards -- and since the USA is not living at the standard Fuller envisioned either, it is not the case that his futurism was merely a projection of contemporary USA living standards on the rest of the world. USA people are living in squalor, in pathetic housing, under onerous and fearful conditions compared to where Fuller hoped we would be by this time. [From Leo Elliott] To take Fuller at his word, that he wanted to live, by design, fifty years ahead of his time (that being the longest time-lag, existing in the housing industry, between the inception of an idea and its practical application), one might hypothesize that Fuller was simply good at self-promoting his novel technologies, which often appeared as self-promotion of his intellect, especially since some of his technologies were being designed for materials, or social systems, which had yet to come to pass. [...] However I would take issue with Alex' statement that "There was a huge difference between the read Fuller and the performed Fuller" -- I think that it is possible to see a great deal of similarity. While I only saw Fuller live one time in my life, which conforms to Alex' trope of "exhausted but exhilirated, dazzled by his vision and enthusiasm", I have several days of tapes, which, perhaps because they are more controllable than a stage presentation, permit a closer look at the visionary language and how he constructed these scenarios, and also permit of less exhaustion, coming as the tape casette does, in controllable dosage. However, my point is that serious concentration on some of Fuller's texts has at times led to exhaustion as well; I am reminded of a picture in Applewhite's "Cosmic Fishing" supposedly depicting a galley proof of a page from one of Fuller's books, supposedly ready for typesetting, in which Fuller practically rewrote the entire text in the margins. His seemingly off-the-wall ("precessional") spinoffs in his oral deliveries are similar, imo, to the tangential approach Fuller used in many of his texts, to illustrate some common theme or idea. Whilst it may appear, to the casual observer, as stream-of-consciousness writing OR speaking (and mind you, I'm not saying it wasn't -- in fact, I've often wondered, in my more mystical moments, if RBF wasn't chanelling some Ancient of Days up there on stage! ;)) -- despite the appearance of stream-of-consciousness, I've found a great sense of awe, at times, at being brought back, completely from left field, to the starting point of the argument. The great Ah-haaa... [From Gerry Segal] Some of R.B.Fuller's actions especially regarding the invention of tensegrity structures and his involvement with Werner Erhardt, EST and World Hunger project do not say much about the man. It's his ideas, and through his ideas his hope for people that become important. I.B. Singer, the Nobel Laureate writer once asked if he would like to meet and talk with Leo Tolstoy said That while he read every word of Tolstoy he wouldn't cross the street to talk with him. His human failings might destroy the ideas he placed in his mind. [From Alex Soojung-Kim Pang] Gerry Segal points to what I think is an important question in evaluating Fuller's life and the value of his work. Having concentrated much of my attention on Fuller's inventive activity, I tend to evaluate him in terms of his work with and for the Marines, Strategic Air Command, Department of Commerce, etc.; and a study of this side of his life reveals a Fuller who was a vigorous Cold War technocrat, relatively unconcerned with the things for which he is now remembered-- his philosophical work, his geometry, etc.. I think there is value in trying to evaluate him on the basis of his ideas, since in the last 20+ years of his life he was essentially a public philosopher, not so much an inventor. But this raises another thorny problem, that of trying to measure the impact of those ideas, particularly from about the mid-1960s on. The fact that Fuller could both have the _Whole Earth Catalog_ dedicated to him, AND at the same time be condemned by Theodore Roszak (author of _Making of the Counterculture_) as the Ultimate Technocrat (and therefore an intellectual conspirator in a system that has produced the evils of materialism, ecological despoilation, explotative labor systems, etc.) points to a fundamental problem of reading and interpretation: what do Fuller's ideas "really" mean? What should we make of, and how should we evaluate, interpretations of his ideas? For example, in collecting accounts of Fuller's speeches in the late 1960s and 1970s (published in underground newspapers, mainstream magazines, and professional and trade journals), I've found that there developed a set of tropes describing Fuller's impact on his audience. It went something like this: "Fuller gave a four-hour marathon lecture that left his audience exhausted but exhilarated, dazzled by his vision and enthusiasm. Few members of the audience could follow exactly what he said, but it was the tone and Fuller's presentation that really mattered." Statements like these, it seems to me, make problematic claims about the value of his ideas, even as they stand as a testimony to his powers of self-presentation and ability to inspire audiences. Many people obviously came away from these talks feeling that they had seen something profound; but few, I am coming to believe, actually came away with any kind of grounding in Fuller's intellectual system. There was a huge difference between the read Fuller and the performed Fuller; that difference is the key to understanding how he could be honored by Stewart Brand and villified by Theodore Roszak; and it raises deep questions about the value of his ideas and the importance of his life and work in the long run. These are questions I'm puzzling through, and which I intend to address in my book on Fuller and the dome; I'm not yet sure if he ultimately deserves a larger place in history, a smaller one, or the place he has now. [From Kirby Urner] The charge that Fuller is a "cold warrior" stems from his work with/for the US government. Geodesic domes had a strategic value from the beginning. On the other hand, more than most academics, and certainly most architects and engineers, Fuller has done much to villify capitalism, or LAWCAP as he called it ("lawyer capitalism"). The dust jacket of his book Grunch of Giants proclaims it as "more subversive of the property and profit values of the capitalist system than anything dreamed of since Karl Marx." Yes, Ronald Reagan awarded him the Medal of Freedom. Yes, around the same time Fuller declared the "USA we have known is now bankrupt and extinct." A curious mixture of pro-entrepeneurialism and individual initiative, and anti-corporatism. Too curious for some. I think Fuller's critics are often in the business of gathering second hand sources and citing other critics (e.g. Roszak) vs. tackling the subject material directly. Second hand criticisms are often cursory and do not reflect serious scholarship. On the other hand, indictments of this or that aspect of Fuller's work by people who really know their stuff are worth airing and I look forward to any such debates online. I have some criticisms of my own to share, if and when these seem relevant. Gordon C. Muth III writes: > fuller was naive to beleive that because he had come > up with a better way to live that the world at large > would one day accept it. Well, if he thought his vision was *exactly* what would bear out, yes. But I think his longing for a world without so much depravation at the basic survival level was just the broad brush strokes. His little blurbs on the back of other futurists' books (e.g. Gerard O'Neill's -- a maglev guy) show that he was open-minded enough to endorse other visions. Of course he thought his inventions would have a role to play. But many inventors have thought this, and were not naive to think it -- was Edison naive to think the light bulb would catch on? BTW, I think there *is* a basic shortage of adequate housing even now. I like Fuller's idea of converting a lot of downtown office space to dorm/workspace units, while wiring the suburbs for "learning a living" in a tele-democracy. That would cut back on the mad ebb and flow of millions of tons of steel (i.e. cars) to and from "the office" (hi honey, I'm home). -Kirby Urner 5.12 What was the nature of Fuller's involvement with Werner Erhardt, EST and the World Hunger Project? [Lance Fletcher] [From Kirby Urner] Around 1980, Werner Erhard rediscovered Fuller and found Fuller's lifelong commitments (to serve "omnihumanity") were illustrative of his own "making the world work for everyone" motto. Fuller appeared jointly with Erhard in Madison Square Gardens, where Erhard delivered emotional praise and Fuller spoke for several hours about the need to promote tetrahedra over cubes as a way of saving humanity (I was not present -- as an est graduate, I was getting the newsletter and read about it, and this sparked my renewed interest in Fuller and sent me off to read Critical Path)... Fuller's grandson, Jaime, did the est Training and for some time there was overlap in interest and volunteers. Asked what Fuller thought of Erhard on the Larry King show, Fuller said he thought he was "a good boy" or something to that effect (contrary to Erhard's own assertions that he was "bad" -- in the Michael Jackson sense perhaps). EST was supposed to be in lower case, meaning "to be" in latin. But for legal reasons (you can't name a corporation using italicized, lower case latin), it was also an acronym for Erhard Seminars Training. The Training took place over 2 weekends. 250 or so trainees would commit to sticking it through to the end after being briefed on what was to take place and after being given opportunities to leave. They were also not to chew gum, snack or leave for the bathroom except at scheduled breaks ("bathroom at will" people sat in the back row, for anyone with medical conditions requiring exceptions to the norm). The first weekend especially was a hard-hitting oral delivery that many labeled a "tearing down" and which earned est trainers the title of "verbal marines." Trainings were not advertised but graduates were strongly encouraged to "share their experience" of the training. At its peak, EST was active in many cities both statewide and overseas. Many books came out on the subject, and a biography. Erhard later got into racing cars (Formula One) to discover "what works" in organizations. Although many were strongly critical of Erhard's work, I think knee-jerk responses, either pro or con, are inappropriate vis-a-vis a complex and of course not unflawed enterprise. Walter Kaufmann, a well-known Princeton philosophy prof, was one of my teachers at the time, and he spoke highly of the est Training, which he had done the previous summer. He made it sound quite interesting so I enrolled. The World Hunger Project was developed to promote the idea that World Hunger was a problem that could be solved, that only the political will to solve the problem was absent (i.e. food shortages were not the root problem). Erhard helped found the organization and Fuller was on the Board (of Advisors or Directors I'm not sure). The WHP was controversial because it was primarily a marketing and public relations enterprise aimed at changing attitudes i.e. awakening peoples desire to trully end death by starvation as a significant problem on the planet ("an idea whose time has come"). Because the money went to propagandize this cause, vs to actual relief workers or food shipments, it was branded by many as a sham and as further proof that Erhard was a con artist. Many have never forgiven Fuller for getting mixed up with Erhard's work, but as a "do your own thinking" type, Fuller was never one to let others' opinions be the determining factor. [From Leo Elliott] This business of self-promotion would certainly make him a fit with Werner Erhard, from what I have been able to make of the man and his movement. (btw, I am a more recent graduate of the kinder, gentler est, now the Forum, run by Landmark Ed. out of Alexandria, VA; last I heard Werner was off in Russia, drumming up new business, and letting his reputation get settled here in the states). I have an old Crawdaddy magazine account of the great encounter between the two magnates of consciousness, and the somewhat skeptical writer definitely presents Erhard as one who is trying to cop a hit off Fuller's prestige; hard to imagine, but if the account is correct, Erhard backs down from Fuller when Fuller disagrees with the est-imation that brain=mind. I find it also interesting that, even now, the Forum-est, like Scientology, is billed as a "technology" (vs. what?, a psychotherapy?, a pyramid-marketing scheme?). 5.13 What were relations between Fuller and his Students? [From Alex Soojung-Kim Pang] Kirby writes: >Die-hard Fuller apologists may suspect the master was playing hard ball >with his former student -- learn to self-promote, kid, like I did, cuz >no one else will do it for you. This seems like a bit of a stretch, even for the best apologists-- "I'm stealing from you for your own good, it will make you stronger." I would like to propose an alternative, that Fuller's relationship with Snelson [Ed: See sec. 4.3.2 of the FAQ for some context] can be seen as an example of the problematic relations Fuller had with students in this period, problematic because of claims Fuller made as sponsor and inspiration of their work, and disputes over the ownership of ideas and artifacts. It comes as no surprise to readers of this list that Fuller was always concerned to maintain control over his intellectual property rights. Aside from the financial strain losing control of inventions brings to inventors, there are deeper worries about losing other links between you and your creation-- how it is used, who it is associated with, etc.. Fuller required students to sign statements in which they swore to "protect my proprietary rights," as he told an architecture professor. "In return for their pledges," he continued, "I agree to provide them with unrestrained, unguarded disclosures of my evolving thougths concerning unique experiences and emerging inventions." So far not a bad bargain. But Fuller made very large claims about the relative contributions he made to a student's work, and who ultimately owned the fruits of a student's labor. At Washington University in 1955, for example, after students complained that they had not been given sufficient credit for their work in developing a prototype dome, Fuller fired back to the Architecture School Dean: "It must be remembered that the Dome was manufactured... ONLY because I had an experience-fertilized teleological design backlog.... It is true that every student was responsible for some phase of ORIGINAL design conceptioning, but none of them must make the mistake of thinking... that they have been responsible for teleologic processes as yet beyond the limits of their experience and capacity.... The thesis students only designed the sub-complex forwarding requirements of my preconceived comprehensive solution." Now, once this is decoded, it contains a truly remarkable claim. What I think Fuller is saying-- and this is the interpretation drawn by several Architecture School professors-- is that because he developed the mathematics by which domes were designed, and he IMAGINED the work that students would do under him, that *students had no claim whatsoever to authorship or anything they did under Fuller's direction.* The message was not "learn to self-promote, kid," but rather "because I imagined all this before I came here-- and because you're not old enough to have done any of this on your own-- I own this work, and you don't. The fact that YOU actually did the work is of not the slightest consequence." This is hardly the only example of arguments Fuller had with students and colleagues over the division of spoils and attribution of authorship in collaborative projects; thoughout, Fuller maintained that HIS participation was necessary for work to be done, and that this was sufficient to establish exclusive ownership of prototypes and ideas. He ultimately broke with the NC State School of Design, which had been a generous provider of support and apparently gracious host to him, over precisely such issues. In E.M. Forster's _Maurice_, (Lord Risley) declares, "Words ARE deeds." For Fuller, if my take on him is right, imagining was doing, and moreover, it was ownership. [From Kirby Urner] My feeling is that Fuller wanted to be the Father of Great Gifts to Humanity (and I personally acknowledge him for being precisely that) but in no way an anonymous benefactor. In Fuller's vision, intellectual property conventions might well dissipate over the long haul (a lot of what he meant by "creating artificial scarcity" in the chapter "Legally Piggily" of Critical Path I read as an implicit indictment of modern-day intellectual property conventions), but he wanted his "ownership" of his contribution to be writ large in the pages of history. Most of us came to know Fuller when he was already famous ("best known American genius" or however the cliche goes), but for years he struggled in relative obscurity, developing that Ralph Nader mentality that says "how can I sleep when the Corporations are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all around the globe?" Given the way Disney, Inc. effaces Fuller's contribution to Epcot, the way that Philadelpha museum [above postings] uses his map without attribution, the way Synergetics is ignored, the way individuals in general are removed from the picture to make them feel appropriately helpless in the face of Corporate all-powerfulness, I can understand where Fuller's conditioned reflexes come from. He is downright *furious* in some dimension. Students, guiltless and innocent, felt the onslaught of this guy's life's mission to buck the tide of history, which is about (felt Fuller) making ownership of critical assets the sole privilege of literally soulless legal fictions called Corporations. That Fuller's jealous guarding and hoarding of credit-to-himself for what he felt was proof of the glory of God makes him even more the caricature -- at bottom was not a selfish drivenness to make money, but an ethical principle. To my way of thinking, none of this makes him more pathetic or ugly, but only shows how starved we as individuals are for acknowledgement, how imprisoned we feel as cogs in the machine. Without getting too maudlin, I think Werner Erhard felt precisely this in Fuller, his deep hunger for acknowledgement, and I am grateful to Erhard for offering wholehearted gratitude to Fuller at Madison Square Gardens. 5.14 What is GENESIS II? [From Kirby Urner] Was chatting with Russ Chu the other night -- he's a long time BFI affiliate and good with hands-on artifact-making. Worked with Terry Gwilliam on tensegrity furniture & stuff... Anyway, I was asking him about the GENESIS II in the LA area. A dozen domes (looks like 1 doz. eggs?) sits by the freeway, sheltering the homeless. NPR (Natl Public Radio) did a spot the other evening. Russ says American Temporary Shelter, Inc. is behind those fiberglass domes, which appear to be about 5/8ths of an icosasphere -- I don't know what frequency. The cost, as I hear from NPR (Natl Public Radio) is about $6500 per unit. [From Brady Thompson] There was a short article on the project GENESIS II reprinted in the Toronto Star from a LA Times article. As I recall, the cost of the units was about $8,000 U.S. and the interior lining was ferro-concrete. [From Kirby Urner] Just got my most recent TrimTab from the Buckminster Fuller Institute today. It has some of the information I was looking for about that community for the homeless in LA. Here are some excerpts: "The domes are made of fiberglass and are similar in structure to plywood domes. They are 20' in diameter and have many windows. Each dome takes only two to three hours to assemble allowing for speedy construction for the whole community... The whole community can be put up in only five weeks... Craig Chamberlain, who worked with Buckminster Fuller in the 1970s, has helped [Ted] Hayes [head of Justicville/Homeless USA] with the specifics of the dome construction... A sample of each type of domes was on display in the Los Angeles location. These structures included a kitchen with two of everything, a laundry room with multiple washers and dryeers, a dome with four indiv- idual bathrooms and showers, and the shelter dome split into two private bedrooms. On November 5th Genesis 1, a one-acre community of 18 Omnisphere domes in downtown Los Angeles celebrated its grand opening as the first pilot dome village. Funded by ARCO, the domes were erected by homeless workers and the American Temporary Housing Corporation. If the first year is successful, Justiceville/Homeless USA hopes to erect such villages in other cities. Hopefully, Hayes and his volunteers have started a continuing trend of solving our shelter needs by doing more with less." Article b Melinda McDonald, BFI TrimTab Bulletin, Fall/Winter 1993 contact: JHUSA 1316 Wilshire Blvd, LA, CA 90017 (213) 483-8783 for more info. 5.15 Could Fuller's proposed Very Large Structures work? [From Martin Roller] Buckminster Fuller claims in several of his books, that using dome constructions one could build arbitrarily large structures, the only constrain would be the available material (see e.g. the sketches of floating spheres of diameter one mile or a bubble enclosing Manhattan in "The Dymaxion World"). Frei Otto, a German architect, argues that this is still impossible, nobody could build a structure (arc, roof etc.) spanning one mile, say. Does anybody know Fuller's precise calculations for the structural stability of domes or more details of Otto's case against it? Who is right? 6.0 Net Resources 6.1 Buckminsterfullerenes Update Service and Fullerene Bibliography [From the "Intro"] Jack Fischer's group at UPENN continues to provide a service that keeps researchers appraised of new work in the fullerene field. This service is an email-based bulletin board providing many useful capabilities. To learn more about the service and its capabilities send the one-word email message, INTRO, to bucky@sol1.lrsm.upenn.edu. You will receive current information about how the service works by return mail. To order "The Almost (but never quite) Complete Buckminsterfullerene Bibliography" from the Arizona Fullerene Consortium (very long 700K and growing with each revision) send the one-word email message, BIBLIO, to bucky@sol1.lrsm.upenn.edu. 6.2 List GEODESIC: GEODESIC@UBVM.BITNET [From the "Intro"] This list is for the discussion of Buckminster "Bucky" Fuller, his works and his philosophies on Life, the Universe, and Everything (NOT The Douglas Adams book!). For those of you who don't know, Bucky is the person who invented the Geodesic Dome, which is what we all played on as children in the playground (the domes with all the triangles, remember?). Another example of geodesic architecture is the giant white sphere at Disney World's "Epcot Center". Of course, Bucky did a LOT more than just invent the Geodesic Dome! He invented other means of housing people cheaply, efficiently, COMFORTABLY, and basically anywhere in the world! (Yes, even ON the oceans!). So if you're interested in discussing Bucky, learning more about him, or finding out about 8500 ft. high pyramidal cities that float in the ocean and house 1,000,000 people comfortably (2000 sq ft. apartments with 1000 sq ft. extra patio/garden space), or 1+ mile diameter spherical cities that FLOAT IN THE AIR *WITHOUT POWER*, then sign up on the list! To sign up, send a mail message to LISTSERV@UBVM.BITNET (for most sites) or to GEODESIC%UBVM.BITNET@MITVMA.MIT.EDU (other sites) with the line SUBSCRIBE GEODESIC Your Real Name as the body of the letter. OWNER = majcher@acsu.buffalo.edu (Marc Majcher) OWNER = salsbury@acsu.buffalo.edu (Patrick G. Salsbury) The list is gatewayed to USENET as bit.listserv.geodesic. You may be requested to respond to an e-mail to confirm your address. So check your e-mail after subscribbing. 6.3 FIX (Fuller Information eXchange) BBS This is a bulletin board in Philadelphia at (215) 463-7160. Use modem settings 8N1 and speeds up to 14400 baud. Hit ENTER or RETURN when you connect to get login options. Typing "fix" at login (or from Unix shell accounts which are available for the asking) will get you to the Fuller side of the board. [Typing "bbs" will get you to the Critical Path AIDS Project bulletin board - which is also free.] Fill out the simple registration. There are many discussion boards such as "Synergetics Conference" and "Global Village." FIX uses Magpie. A tutorial is available from the main menu. Call Critical Path hotline (215) 545-2212 for further details. This service is free. 6.4 WWW (World Wide Web) sources Collected list of WWW sites with Bucky related stuff. [From Dave K] [From] gopher or world wide web. Both on switchboard.ftp.com on ports 70 and 80. Here is the current [menu file]: Text= This Space Currently Mostly Empty, please send to me to fill it. dkap@vax.ftp.com EndText= Name=Faq 0.7 Path=0h/BF/bucky Type=0h gnLink=Dome Project Page Path=~t93827ya/dome/dome.html Type=0 Host=cs1.sfc.keio.ac.jp Port=80 gnLink=3d Buckyball Path=free/bucky.html Host=www.sgi.com Port=80 gnLink=European Site Collection Path=rod/text/buckminster_fuller.html Host=www.futuro.usp.br Port=80 ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 12 Jun 1994 03:08:29 GMT Reply-To: "Christopher J. Fearnley" Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: "Christopher J. Fearnley" Organization: Critical Path Project Subject: R. Buckminster Fuller Frequently asked Questions and Answers (Part 2 of 5) Posted-By: auto-faq 2.4 Archive-name: bucky-fuller-faq/part2 Version 0.95 Happy 98 and 11/12 birth anniversary, Bucky! This is the Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQ) Resource on R. Buckminster Fuller. It is based primarily on the history of the discussions, interests, and needs of the readers of the BITNET list GEODESIC and it's USENET gateway bit.listserv.geodesic. So some of the information could be in error (especially addresses and phone numbers). The FAQ is maintained by Chris Fearnley (cfearnl@cpp.pha.pa.us). Please send all errors and suggestions to me. The FAQ is released (usually with modifications) on the 12th of each month (to celebrate Bucky's monthly birth anniversary - He was born 12 July 1895). This document still has a lot of fluff in it. But rather than risk losing the wisdom of the net, I have included most everyone's answers to just about everything. In time I hope to distill the net wisdom further with careful editing. Also, I still l haven't gone through the '94 logs from GEODESIC nor the material on the FIX BBS. So the next version will undoubtedly be larger still. Also, the list of Fuller-related companies and manufacturers is incomplete and probably fairly inaccurate. Please send me corrections. I don't even have the BFI in here. They never told me they moved and I don't know the current address. Anyone know when they will get out of the "dark ages" and join us here on the net? Or at least share with their members their new address. BTW, I won't be sending this document to them for inclusion in the archives. If someone in Santa Barbara can slip them a disk, I'm sure they'd be gratified. Finally, if you see that one of your quotes is unclear, please send me clarifications. Bracketed citations refer to the material that follows. Some citations are quoted directly from the logs and follow the material. Beware of outdated information: this information is culled from old log files and is not necessarily up-to-date. Please follow-up with discussion and questions to bit.listserv.geodesic or to the mailing list geodesic@ubvm (see 6.2 for details). Contents: 1.0 Introductory 2.0 Fuller's Ideas about Human Society: Critical Path 2.1.0 What is the Design Science Revolution? 2.1.1 When will the Design Science Revolution begin? 2.2 What is the "cosmic accounting system"? Fuller's Economics. 2.3.0 What is the World Game? 2.3.1 What is the World Game Institute? 2.3.2 What are the World Game Institutes "games" like? 2.3.3 What is Global Data Manager (GDM)? 2.3.4 Does the World Game offer any solutions to the World Hunger Problem? 2.4.0 What were Fuller's views on religion/God? 2.4.1 How did Bucky's "Ever Rethinking the Lord's Prayer" go? 2.5 What is the Global Energy Grid idea? 2.6 What is a "trimtab"? 2.7 Was Bucky a socialist? 2.8 What were Fuller's views on Education? 2.9 What is the difference between "Class I" and "Class II" evolution? 2.10 How to house humanity? And other reflections on Making the World work. 3.0 Synergetics 3.1 What is "synergy"? 3.2 What is Fuller's definition of "Universe"? 3.3.0 What is the "isotropic vector matrix" [IVM]? 3.3.1 I wondered if hexagonal closest packing forms an IVM? Also, is a diamond cubic structure the same as an IVM? 3.4 What is the "vector equilibrium"? 3.5 What is the jitterbug? 3.6 What is Fuller's concept of "space"? 3.7 What is a "system"? 3.8 What is the "minimal system"? 3.9 What is the "omnidirectional halo"? 3.10 Does synergetics provide an extension or modification of the 'scientific method?' 3.11 Are there connections between synergetics and fullerenes (besides the name, of course? 3.12 Why use synergetics conversion factors and other irrationals? 3.13 What is Precession? 3.14 What is the equation for finding the volume of a pyramid? 4.0 Geodesic Domes and Other Inventions 4.1.0 What is a geodesic dome? 4.1.1 Does a dome really weigh less than its component materials? 4.1.2 What are some features of underground, concrete domes? 4.1.3 What are geotangent domes? 4.1.4 What are the advangates (and disadvantages) of Dome Life? 4.1.5 How to use solar panels in domes? 4.1.6 Dome References [Oldest material first] 4.2.0 Dome Math: What you've all been waiting for!!! 4.2.1 Dome Theory 4.2.2 What are the basics of Spherical Trigonometry? 4.2.3 How to tesselate a sphere? 4.2.4 Chord Factors - the nitty gritty. 4.3.0 What is a tensegrity model? 4.3.1 How to Build Tensegraties? 4.3.2 Who was Kenneth Snelson and what was his role in the invention of tensegrities? 4.4 What are "cloud nines"? 4.5 What is "dymaxion"? 4.6 What is the Dymaxion Car? 4.7 What is a "fog gun"? 4.8 What was Fuller's Floating City design? 4.9 What was the Old Man's River City Project (circular cities)? 4.10 What was the Dymaxion Deployment Unit? 4.11.0 What is the Dymaxion Map? 4.11.1 Other stuff about the Dymaxion Map. 4.12 What was the Dymaxion House? 5.0 Miscellany 5.1.0 What are "fullerenes" and "buckyballs"? 5.1.1 What are some of the properties of the fullerenes? 5.1.2 What are buckytubes? 5.1.3 What are "endohedral fullerenes"? 5.2 What is Biosphere II? 5.3 Was Fuller formally educated? 5.4 Will there be a 1995 commemorative stamp marking Bucky's 100th? 5.5 Bibliography: Culled from several postings 5.6 Organizations and Corporations mentioned on GEODESIC (incomplete and dated) [Mostly dome-type manufacturers.] 5.7 Computer tools (may or may not be useful to dome design or synergetics). 5.8 Fuller's "failures." 5.9 Where would you encourage your best friend to start in the Fuller literature? (For maximum ease of mastery) 5.10 Quotes and Coinages. 5.11 Evaluating the value of the Man, Bucky: humanitarian or cold-hearted technocrat? 5.12 What was the nature of Fuller's involvement with Werner Erhardt, EST and the World Hunger Project? 5.13 What were relations between Fuller and his Students? 5.14 What is GENESIS II? 5.15 Could Fuller's proposed Very Large Structures work? 6.0 Net Resources 6.1 Buckminsterfullerenes Update Service and Fullerene Bibliography 6.2 List GEODESIC: GEODESIC@UBVM.BITNET 6.3 FIX (Fuller Information eXchange) BBS 6.4 WWW (World Wide Web) sources 3.6 What is Fuller's concept of "space"? [From Synergetics II [100.62- 100.63]] "[One reason for human incomprehensibility of the findings of science] is our preoccupation with the sense of static, fixed "space" as so much unoccupied geometry imposed by square, cubic, perpendicular, and parallel attempts at coordination, rather than regarding "space" as being merely systemic angle-and-frequency information that is presently non-tuned-in within the physical, sensorial range of tunability of the electromagnetic sensing equipment with which we personally have been organically endowed. "The somethingness here and the nothingness there of statically interarrayed "space" conceptioning is vacated as we realize that the infratunable is subvisible high-frequency eventing, which we speak of as matter, while the ultratunable is radiation, which we speak of as space. The tunable is special case, sensorially apprehensible episoding." [From Chris Fearnley] Space is "systemic angle-and-frequency information" because like all awareness it is patterned systemically and hence polyvertexially. It is information because the angle-and-frequency constituted system can be resolved into bits, 20-questions-wise. Space is "presently non-tuned-in within the physical, sensorial range" because we are presently not receiving electromagnetic energy or information to our eyes, ears, nose, tongue or skin. But space is identifiable as a metaphysical system - it is "out there." [Kirby Urner's contributions] Space, the Final Untuned Vis-a-vis whatever is in experience at the moment, is a vast otherness, which is by definition not tuned. That is space, the field of potential experience, I would say. Or maybe the field of "unmeant meanings" (no experience of that at this time). The trichotomy of "outside system, system, inside system" or "ultra-system-infra" is a generic description of that system (e.g. "belief system"). The "space of the untuned" or "final frontier" of a specific system is whatever that system cannot tune in. We all live in the space of our ignorance. Space as "ultratunable radiation" Before people knew about clusters of galaxies, or this galaxy for that matter, or "outer space" in general, they had yet to receive the energy through their instruments that would inform them of this "space" and its contents. The only way we have a concept of "space" is owing to our receiving energy. Relates to your dwelling on "experience" which Fuller equates with the "tuned" (vs untuned). What we tune is energetic. The far apartness of the galaxies, their infrequency, is what made them so ultratunable (unexperiential) for such a long time. 3.7 What is a "system"? [From Synergetics [400.011-02]] "A system is the first subdivision of Universe. It divides all the Universe into six parts: first, all the universal events occurring geometrically outside the system; second, all the universal events occurring geometrically inside the system; third, all the universal events occurring nonsimultaneously, remotely, and unrelatedly prior to the system events; fourth, the Universe events occurring nonsimultaneously, remotely, and unrelatedly subsequent to the system events; fifth, all the geometrically arrayed set of events constituting the system itself; and sixth, all the Universe events occurring synchronously and or coincidentally to and with the systematic set of events uniquely considered. "A system is the first subdivision of Universe into a conceivable entity separating all that is nonsimultaneously and geometrically outside the system, ergo irrelevant, from all that is nonsimultaneously and geometrically inside and irrelevant to the system; it is the ramainder of Universe that conceptually constitutes the system's set of conceptually tunable and geometrical interrelatibility of events. ... "All systems are polyhedra. Systems having insideness and outsideness must return upon themselves in a plurality of directions and are therefore interiorally concave and exteriorally convex. Because concaveness reflectively concentrates radiation impinging upon it and convexity diffuses radiation impinging upon it, concavity and convexity are fundamentally different, and therefore every system has an always and only coexisting inward and outward functionally differentialed complementarity. Any one system has only one insideness and only one outsideness. ..." 3.8 What is the "minimal system"? The tetrahedron, of course. [From Gary Lawrence Murphy] The minimum system is an entity distinct from the rest of universe. The division is between the consideration set and the irrelevant; there will be leaks because no system is an island ;-), but for design purposes, the boundary defines the extent of energy interchange as represented by the concavity of the tetrahedral interior. The four components [of our friend the tetrahedron] are four sub-tunable systems, only resolvable as a single point, but a system none the less. Between these, we have Euler's rules for relative abundance of topological features, so if we can identify four stellar partners, we can postulate 6 interaction pairs and four interaction 'facets'; we can also look at the non-simultaneousness of the pair-interaction vertex stars as potential leak points (in reality, each is probably involved in a myriad of other tetrally-thinkable systems) or in Fuller's terms, shunting-off points. 3.9 What is the "omnidirectional halo"? [This relates to Fuller's epistemography. From Synergetics, [501.10-501.12]] "Any conceptual thought is a system and is structured tetrahedrally. This is because all conceptuality is polyhedral. The sums of all the angles around all the vertexes - even crocodile, or a 10,000-frequency geodesic (which is what the Earth really is) - will always be 720 degrees less than the number of vertexes time 360 degrees. "The difference between nonconceptual, nonsimultaneous Universe and thinkability is always two tetrahedra: one as macro, to complete the convex localness outside the system, and one as micro, to complete the concave localness inside the system, to add up to finite but nonconceptual Universe. Thus the thinkable system takeout from Universe has a 'left-out' outside irrelevancy tetrahedron and a 'left-in' inside irrelevancy tetrahedron. "You have to have the starkly nonvisible to provide the complementary tetrahedron to account for the visibility, since concave and convex are not the same. That stark invisible reality of the nonconceptual macro- and micro-tetrahedra also have to have this 720-degree elegance. But the invisible outside tetrahedron was equally stark. The finite but nonconceptual inness and outness: that is the Omnidirectional Halo." 3.10 Does synergetics provide an extension or modification of the 'scientific method?' I've been thinking lately: Does Bucky offer in SYNERGTICS an extension of the scientific method? The definition of Universe "The aggregate of all humanity's consciously apprehended and communicated (to self or others) experiences." Together with Fuller's notion of thinking as the systemic process of sorting experiences into three broad sets: the macroscopic irrelevant, the microscopic irrelevant, the lucidly relevant set. This is his omnidirectional halo. I think it provides a means of organizing our thinking to make it more effective. Isn't this what the scientific method is supposed to do? Moreover, the dynamic nature of synergetics implies that we need not get stuck permanently in paradigms as Thomas Kuhn suggests. Maybe synergetics is transparadigmatic. - C. Fearnley Most definitely. Fuller did not choose the name Comprehensive Anticipatory Design SCIENCE lightly. Like all of Fuller's language the name was carefully chosen. I feel that your characterization of Synergetics as an extension of the scientific method is absolutley true. In fact this is one of Fuller's main criticisms of traditional geometry, that it is not science; meaning that it is not "... setting in order the facts of experience" but farther constructing an imaginery Universe out of non existent points, lines, and planes. - Blaine A. D'Amico 3.11 Are there connections between synergetics and fullerenes (besides the name, of course? The connections that I see between Synergetics and the Fullerenes are manifold. First, Carbon is a tetrahedronal atom. It would seem logical that even if there were exceptions to Fuller's tetrahedronal concept of the shape of space, Carbon would surely obey these geometric principles (if the principles are true.) Fuller's discussions of tetrahedral bonding are remarkably similar to Linus Pauling's illustrations in "The Architecture of Molecules", for example. - Blaine A. D'Amico 3.12 Why use synergetics conversion factors and other irrationals? [From Synergetics [410.02]] "The omnirational associating and disassociating of chemistry - always joining in whole low-order numbers, as for instance H(2)O and never H(pi)O - persuaded me that if I could discover nature's comprehensive coordination, it would prove to be omnirational despite academic geometry's fortuitous development and employment of transcendental irrational numbers and other 'pure,' nonexperimentally demonstrable, incommensurable integer relationships." [From Mitch Amiano] Why does he so often make use of square root of 2, and to approximations of pi? It seems in fact that he actively uses them, but only as approximations, and with a synergetic conversion factor. [From Kiyoshi Kuromiya] I believe Fuller uses synergetic conversion factors simply as handy "fudge factors" and, if he had his way in the world, there would be no need for conversions, because everyone would use an entirely rational number system--or even more, a system consisting entirely of whole numbers. The use of the square root of two, I believe, is simply to illustrate principles of alloying, and like in the other case, could be dispensed with, if everyone were used to proofs that only relied on whole numbers. [From Kirby Urner] Relevant here is that giant Scheherazade number -- abbrev. Sz -- Fuller suggests would rationalize trigonometry. Adding lots of primes makes some sense, and a screen with that many pixels could certainly give us adequate resolution to submolecular levels, all with whole number coordinates. Second-root-of-two would be a shorthand symbol within a computational notation with a granular, integer underpinning. Given a grainy nature, with no absolute positions as represented by continuing irrational numbers to umpteen digits, I can see how Fuller felt no need to take the Number Theory idea of irrationality as a concept implemented in nature. But our symbols, our "root of 2" notations, continue to be useful, just as they always have. I don't think Sz numbers make the number theory idea of irrationals go away. The problem was never "too few primes" in our base. The proof that the 2nd root of 2 is irrational has nothing to do with primes, more with an reductio ad absurdum showing it's neither true nor false that the root of 2 is even or odd... anyway, I don't think Fuller is arguing that mathematicians have been wrong all these years in their own terms -- just that nature need to continue pi or other fractions according to some infinite rules. No time for that. [From Mitch Amiano] Given that Synergetics rejects irrationals, and given a modelling of nature based upon an integer representation with a specific sub-molecular resolution, could we not calculate the square root of 2 as a rational number? This is what carpenters do every time they check the accuracy of a square layout by measuring from corner to corner. The resolution of their measurements is at a significantly higher level, in terms of fractional inches. An example of measurement rationalization can be seen when moving from a relatively large base unit - the inch - to a relatively small one - the millimeter. More of the numbers are represented as whole integers. Thus, the operational square root of 2 is 1.40625" when measured in thirty-seconths of an inch on a 1"x1" square, or 37mm when measured in millimeters. 3.13 What is Precession? [From Chris Fearnley] I think the simplest first-order definition of precession is the side effects of a system in motion (generally occuring at 90 degrees to the direction of motion). [From Gerry Segal] My college physics books defines precession as: "a complex motion executed by a rotating body subjected to torque, by a conical locus of the axis" That's quite a mouthful. Bucky get's even more complex. In Synergetics II 533.08 He defines precession as: "the intereffect of individually operating cosmic systems upon one another." Since Universe is an aggregate of individually operative systems, all of the intersystem effects of the Universe are precessional, and the 180-degree imposed forces usually result in redirectional resultants of 90 degrees." A beautiful example is given in Synergetics I 417.00. Here two exact sets of 60 Closest-packed spheres (wedges) are rotated 90-degress and twisted (torque). An unexpected and marvelous result is a perfect 8 ball edged, 7-frequency tetrahedron that is formed. I doubt that I have been successful in helping you understand precession. But I do know that if you take the time and build the models you'll have an underlying sense of the meaning that provides the basis of understanding that the written word only hints at. [From Leo Elliott] The clearest example I recall Bucky giving of the notion of "precession" was that from the viewpoint of a waterbug or a jellyfish on the surface of the water, directly in the path of some big ship, which will send out precessional waves slightly ahead of the bow, thereby alerting the astute bug or jellyfish that something big is indeed on the way. [From David Worrall] Imagine a pebble dropped into a pond. The pebble goes to the bottom (closer to the centre of gravity of the earth!) The wave created moves outwards, at 90 degrees, precessionally, to the pebble. [From Kirby Urner] "Precession" in synergetics shows up as the relationship between two sides of the same generalized principle coin. Gravity begets radiation begets gravity. Tension begets compression begets tension. Pull on two ends of a rope, and its strands are squeezed even more tightly together. Where two very general aspects of nature always and only co-exist, and their relationship is generally precessional. Synergetics is unlike traditional physics in its insistence on gravity as a circumferential pulling together (and thereby implosive), versus a radial explosiveness emanating from the center -- a 90 degree relationship. The Sun is a giant squeeze ball. Strands of thought are likewise cirumferentially implosive, nonlinear hypertext countervailing against vs the information explosion. By extension, "precession" refers to nature's way of getting the job done at 90 degrees to human selfishness and ignorance. We "do the right things for the wrong reasons." The graduating from Class II to Class I evolution which Fuller anticipates involves our starting to do the right things for the right reasons, like you don't need the Cold War to have the space program to have higher living standard spin-off technologies (goodies yielding at 90-degrees to ignorance & fear). We don't have time for that kind of bumbling anymore. 3.14 What is the equation for finding the volume of a pyramid? [Steve Mather] [From Chris Fearnley] The issue of volume measure is dependent on the choice of the unit of volume. I recommend choosing the tetrahedron as the unit of volume. Then by subdividing the octahedron and tetrahedron into "buiding blocks" fascinating relationships will be discovered. Try buiding some models too! [From Kirby Urner] I agree with Chris F. -- using Fuller's regular P-lengthed tetrahedron as a unit of volume is a good beginning. A regular P-edged octahedron will have 4 times the tetra's volume, while a cube with a P-lengthed diagonal will have 3 times the tetra's volume. That means a cube of diagonal P has 3/4 the volume of an octahedron of edge P. Say P=1. The corresponding cube of diagonal 1 has a volume of about 0.354 (conventional math), and so the octahedron has a volume of 4/3 that, or 0.471 (again, conventional math). If we multiply both results by the Synergetics Constant, we get a cube of volume 0.3750000 (precise) and an octahedron of volume 1/2. Those are the nice volumes we'd like, given a simple edge of 1. Note that the tetrahedron of edge 1 has a volume of 1/8. That's because of how the Synergetics Constant is derived. The so-called "prime vector" between any 2 adjacent spheres in the icomatrix is of Cartesian length 2 (these are unit-radius spheres after all). So the Synergetics Constant is the ratio between the volume of a prime vector diagonaled cube in Synergetics (=3) and the corresponding cube in XYZ geometry (2nd-root of 2 to the third power). [From Martin Roller] Kirby Urner writes: >By the way, there *is* a formula that provides the volume of >*any* tetrahedron given its 6 edges as inputs. It's a monster >formula, derived by Leonhard Euler. I doubt I could write it >understandably in ASCII. Let ABCD be a tetrahedron with sides a = AD, b = BD, c = CD, p = BC, q = CA, r = AB. The volume V of the tetrahedron can be computed from the determinant of a 5-by-5 matrix as follows (here ^2 means taking squares). | 0 r^2 q^2 a^2 1| | | |r^2 0 p^2 b^2 1| | | 288 V^2 = |q^2 p^2 0 c^2 1| | | |a^2 b^2 c^2 0 1| | | | 1 1 1 1 0| [From Kirby Urner] Euler's equation for any Tetrahedron w/ edges p,q,r,s,t,u,v: M= (2qrt)^2 -[q^2(r^2+t^2-u^2)^2] -[r^2(q^2+t^2-v^2)^2] -t^2(q^2+r^2-s^2)^2 substitute above M in equation below (V=Volume) V= 1/12 [M + (r^2+t^2-u^2)(q^2+t^2-v^2)(q^2+r^2-s^2)]^.5 This looks a lot more complicated than the determinant expression, but then a determinant is short-hand for a long messy expression. Anyway, both give the same answers. Then you can multiply by the Synergetics Constant to give the volume relative to a Tetrahedron defined by 4 adjacent unit-radius spheres of volume one. 4.0 Geodesic Domes and other Inventions Fuller invented the Geodesic Dome in the late 1940s to demonstrate some ideas about housing and "energetic-synergetic geometry" which he had developed during WWII. This invention built on his two decade old quest to improve the housing of humanity. It represents a brilliant demonstration of his synergetics principles; and in the right circumstances it could solve some of the pressing housing problems of today (this housing crisis Fuller predicted back in 1927). Fuller was a tinkerer and made many small tools both to explain his principles and to perform useful tasks. All of his patented inventions can be found in his book _Inventions: The Patented Works of R. Buckminster Fuller_. His second most esteemed invention is "tensegrity" or tensional-integrity structures (Kenneth Snelson's role in this is discussed below). 4.1.0 What is a geodesic dome? [From Robert T. Bowers' paper on Domes which is achived on list GEODESIC] "A geodesic dome is a type of structure shaped like a piece of a sphere or a ball. This structure is comprised of a complex network of triangles that form a roughly spherical surface. The more complex the network of triangles, the more closely the dome approximates the shape of a true sphere [sic]. "By using triangles of various sizes, a sphere can be symetrically divided by thirty-one great circles. A great circle is the largest circle that can be drawn around a sphere, like the lines of latitude around the earth, or the equator. Each of these lines divide the sphere into two halves, hence the term geodesic, which is from the Latin meaning "earth dividing." 4.1.1 Do domes really weigh less then their component materials? [From Pat Salsbury] Well, the structures weigh less when completed because of the air-mass inside the dome. When it's heated warmer than the outside air, it has a net lifting effect (like a hot-air balloon). This is almost unnoticable in smaller structures, like houses, but, as with other things about geodesics, being as they're based upon spheres, the effect increases geometrically with size. So you'd be able to notice it in a sports stadium, and, as we've talked about here before, a sphere more than a half mile in diameter would be able to float in the air with only a 1 degree F difference in temperature! 4.1.2 What are some features of underground, concrete domes? [From Randy Burns. See 4.1.3 Dome References for who Britz is.] Underground, concrete domes are rather interesting 1) They can use chemical sealing and landscaping to avoid leakage problems associated with wooden domes. 2) They are _extremely_ strong. Britz has obtained extremely low insurance rates on his structures. The insurance company tested one building by driving a D8 Caterpillar tractor on top of the house! 3) There's little hassle involved in dealing with materials that were really standardized for use building boxes. The only specialized tools are the forms, everthing else can easily be used off the shelf. 4) They can be quite aesthetic. Britz has shown that you can build developments where the houses can't really see each other. 5) They are _cheap_ and easy to heat, cheap enough that you can build a much larger structure than you might using conventional housing and use standard room divider technology to split the thing up into room. 4.1.3 What are geotangent domes? [Keyed in by Patrick G. Salsbury.] The following is quoted from _Scientific American_ in the September 1989 issue. (Pages 102-104) Surpassing the Buck (Geometry decrees a new dome) "I started with the universe--as an organization of energy systems of which all our experiences and possible experiences are only local instances. I could have ended up with a pair of flying slippers." -R. Buckminster Fuller Buckminster Fuller never did design a pair of flying slippers. Yet he became famous for an invention that seemed almost magical: the geodesic dome, an assemblage of triangular trusses that grows stronger as it grows larger. Some dispute that Fuller originated the geodesic dome; in /Science a la Mode,/ physicist and author Tony Rothman argues that the Carl Zeiss Optical Company built and patented the first geodesic dome in Germany during the 1920's. Nevertheless, in the wake of Fuller's 1954 patent, thousands of domes sprung up as homes and civic centers--even as caps on oil-storage tanks. Moreover, in a spirit that Fuller would have heartily applauded, hundreds of inventors have tinkered with dome designs, looking for improved versions. Now one has found a way to design a completely different sort of dome. In May, J. Craig Yacoe, a retired engineer, won patent number 4,825,602 for a "geotangent dome," made up of pentagons and hexagons, that promises to be more versatile that its geodesic predecessor. Since Fuller's dome is based on a sphere, cutting it anywhere but precisely along its equator means that the triangles at the bottom will tilt inward or outward. In contrast, Yacoe's dome, which has a circular base, follows the curve of an ellipsoid. Builders can consequently pick the dimensions they need, Yacoe Says. And his design enures that the polygons at the base of his dome always meet the ground at right angles, making it easier to build than a geodesic dome. He hopes these features will prove a winning combination. Although Fuller predicted that a million domes would be built by the mid-1980's, the number is closer to 50,000. Domes are nonetheless still going up in surprising places. A 265-foot-wide geodesic dome is part of a new pavilion at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center in Florida. A bright blue 360-foot-high dome houses a shopping center in downtown Ankara, Turkey. Stockholm, Sweden, boasts a 280-foot-high dome enclosing a new civic center. Dome design is governed by some basic principles. A sphere can be covered with precisely 20 equilateral triangles; for a geodesic dome, those triagles are carved into smaller ones of different sizes. But to cover a sphere or ellipsoid with various sizes of pentagons and hexagons required another technique, Yacoe says. Yacoe eventually realized that he could build a dome of polygonal panels guided by the principle that one point on each side of every panel had to be tangent to (or touch) an imaginary circumscribed dome. With the assistance of William E. Davis, a retired mathematician, he set out to describe the problem mathematically. They began with a ring of at least six congruent pentagons wrapped around the equator of an imaginary ellipse. The task: find the lengths of the sides and the interior angles of the polygons that form the next ring. To do so for an ellipsoidal dome, they imagined inscribing an ellipse inside each polygon. Each ellipse touched another at one point; at these points, the sides of the polygons would also be tangent to a circumscribed ellipsoid. But where, precisely, should the points be located? Yacoe and Davis guessed, then plugged the numbers into equations that describe ellipses and intersecting planes. Aided by a personal computer, they methodically tested many guesses until the equations blanced. Using the tangent points, Yacoe and Davis could then calculate the dimensions and interior angles of the corresponding polygons and so build the next ring of the dome. After receiving the patent, Yacoe promptly set up a consulting firm to license his patents. He says dome-home builders have shown considerable interest, as has Spitz, Inc., a maker of planetariums located near Yacoe in Chadds Ford, Pa. Yacoe has also proposed that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration consider a geotangent structure as part of a space station. -E.C. 4.1.4 What are the advangates (and disadvantages) of Dome Life? asemon@esu.edu (Alan Semon) writes: >I was once interested in the idea of living in a geodesic dome home and, >to the best of my recollection, these are some of the advantages: > >1. Heating and cooling the home become more efficient due to the fact >that there are fewer (even no) corners where heat may be trapped. The >overall air flow in a dome is substantially better than in a >conventionally constructed home (straight walls and such). > ...and there is less surface area per square foot of living space = less heat loss. >2. Many dome home designs allow the option of using larger lumber for >the dome. 2x6's or 2x8's instead of the usual 2x4's, although this is >an option in ANY home, it seems to be more commonly done in dome home >construction. > Although for many areas of the US, there is no financial advantage to using 2x6 construction. A dome with R-14 throughout can outperform a well insulated conventional house of comparable S/F. >3. For those solar minded people, the placement of the solar collectors >on the "roof" is less critical due to the curved nature of the top of >the structure. > >4. The inherent strength of the dome makes it suitable for either >earth-bermed or even earth covered construction techniques. In the case >of more common construction techniques, the structural members' >dimensions usually need to be completely reworked in order to carry the >extra weight. > >5. Hell, they _LOOK_ pretty neat! This might be a problem in certain >areas which one of those laws which say that all homes in an area _MUST_ >conform to certain guidelines concerning their architecture (bummer, >huh? :-)). -jg 4.1.5 How to use solar panels in domes? [Kerri Brochard] [From Tom Dosemagen] I have a dome and tried to find solar panels to be installed on the dome. I had no luck finding such a beast so I installed 320 square feet of panels on the ground close to the dome and ran all connections under ground into the basement. I live in south central Wisconsin and my experience with solar is not the greatest. My system works fine, but in order for the system to work the sun has to shine. That doesn't happen alot here until late February or early March. My advise to people in our part of country is to take the money you were going to spend on solar and invest it. Then take your interest money and pay for conventional heat. My dome is 44 feet in diameter and with a 90% efficient furnace and my total heating bill for one season is right around $350.00. My exterior walls are framed with 2x6's. With thicker dome walls I'm sure that I could lower my heating costs by quite a bit. 4.1.6 Dome References [Oldest material first] [From Garnet MacPhee in NOV 1989.] There is a national association. National Association of Dome Home Manufacturers 2506 Gross Point Road Evanston, Illinois 60201 [From Alex Soojung-Kim Pang] The two Domebooks-- Domebook, and Domebook Two-- were published in the early 1970s and are now out of print. They were written in much the same fashion as the Whole Earth Catalog, with readers sending in descriptions of their experiences and problems with domes, and the book's staff arranging the pieces, working in photographs and line drawings, etc.. They are still often available in libraries, or though university interlibrary-loan. The full citation is: Lloyd Kahn, et al. Domebook (One). Los Gatos: Pacific Domes, 1970. Lloyd Kahn, et al. Domebook Two. Bolinas, CA: Pacific, 1971. (Distributed by Random House) There was also a book edited by John Prenis (or Prentis, maybe) called The Dome Builders Handbook (Philadelphia: Running Dog Press, ca. 1975). There were two editons of this, as well. Lloyd Kahn has published three other books that contain information on dome- building: Shelter (which described a wide variety of self-built homes from all over the world), Shelter II (ISBN 0-394-50219), and a pamphlet called Refried Domes (Bolinas: Shelter Publications, 1990) (ISBN 0-936070-10-2). The latter contains the chord factors and angles for 8-frequency domes (critical information, and unavailable anywhere else as far as I can tell), suggestions about construction, and some second thoughts about domes as permanent shelter. If these books are not in your bookstore, you can order them directly from Shelter Publications Home Book Service P.O. Box 279 Bolinas, CA 94924 If you're interested in learning something about the history of domes in the counterculture, look up Charles Jencks and William Chaitkin, Architecture Today (New York: Harry Abrams, 1982). The magazine Futurist has also published a couple articles on domes in the last couple years. Another book to look for Steve Baer, _Dome Cookbook_ (Lama Publications, 1968); as I recall, it has tables for computing strut lengths and some useful information about dome construction. [Posted Dec 1991 by Randy Burns] Another alternative is concrete, earth sheltered domes. These aren't necessarily geodesic structures. Still, they may well be closer to nearing widespread commercial use than most geodesic structures. Three Companies involved in this: Utopia Designs, Eugene OR (founded by Norm Waterbury) These are definitely oriented to the do-it-yourselfer. They specialize in selling forms and blueprints for domes build using inflatable forms. EarthShips, Eugene, OR This company was founded by Richard Britz, author of the Edible City Resource Manual. They specialize in turnkey strucures and are more oriented towards larger developments. Britz does _wonderful_ arctitectural drawings. Monolithic Structures, Idaho and Stockton CA These folks are primarily involved in building _large_ strutures, mainly industrial buildings and grain silo's. [More concrete companies from Russell Miller. 1994] The following three companies deal with concrete shell domes, some of which are geodesic, but none of which are specifically "Earth Sheltered". American Ingenuity inc. 40' dia kit: $13,058 8777 Holiday Springs Road Video = $8 Rockledge, Fl Address current as of: 1994-05 32955-5805 407-639-8777 407-639-8778 (fax) Key Dome Engineering inc. Plans only P.O. Box 430253 Info pack = $5 South Miami, FL Address current as of: 1989 33143 Monolithic Constructors inc. 40' dia dome kit: $2300 1 Dome Park Place Video available P.O. Box 479 Address current as of: 1994-02 Italy, TX 76651-0479 214-483-7454 214-483-6662 (fax) [From Barbara Sansing.] DOME (ISSN 1041-1607) Published quarterly by: Hoflin Publishing Ltd. 4401 Zephyr Street Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033-3299 Tel. 800-352-5678 Fax 303-422-7000 Build Your Own Geodesic Model: A.G.S. Products 2111 SW 31 Avenue Pembroke Park, FL 33009 $24.95 plus $3.75 shipping [From Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, 25 Feb 1992] Timberline Geodesics in Berkeley they have a toll-free number which I don't remember but which is in the 800 directory (800-555-1212). Their address is 2015 Blake Street, Berkeley CA 94704-2688 A technically useful book is Edward Popko, Geodesics (Detroit: U. Detroit press, 1968). It has lots of photographs, plans for domes made from a whole host of materials, different assembly methods, etc.. [From Tom Dosemagen, on 17 Mar 1992] For those of you looking for dome construction methods I would suggest contacting Dennis Johnson at Natural Spaces (1-800-733-7107, inquire about their All About Domes book) located in North Branch Minnesota. His phone number is (612) 674-4292. Dennis has developed two different hub and strut systems for constructing domes. The address is 37955 Bridge Rd. North Branch, MN 55056. [4 Oct 1993 post says:] The address for Natural Spaces is Route #3, North Branch, MN 55056. [From Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, 25 Feb 1992] Gene Hopster, How to Design and Build Your Dome Home (Tucson: HP Books, 1981) Edward M. Duke, A Study of the Geodesic Dome Applied to Housing (Exchange Bibliography #379) (Monticello: Council of Planning Librarians, 1973) John Fontanetta, Building a Solar-Heated Geodesic Greenhouse (Charlotte, VT: Garden Way, 1979) [From Gary Lawrence Murphy and Chris McRae ] Hugh Kenner's "Geodesic Math and How to Use It" Berkeley : University of California Press, c1976. xi, 172 p. : ill. ; 22 cm. (ISBN 0-520-02924-0) This is an excellent book for the hobbyist model builder, but also shows geometric derivations for a number of approaches to carving up the surface of a sphere into the smallest practical number of different shaped parts, which is the key matter in dome fabrication. The book also discusses tensegrity designs, although I believe Hugh has since release a volume devoted to tensegrity. For those without calculators :-), the appendix of the book lists the dome-vertex values for many practical frequencies in the basic polyhedral forms. [From Gary Lawrence Murphy, 11 Sep 1992 (Ed.: merged with Garnet MacPhee's post and Robert Holder's)] Dome Creations Las Vegas, NV The Big Outdoors People 26600 Fallbrook Ave. Wyoming Industrial Park Wyoming, MN 55092 612-462-1011 Cathedralite Domes 820 Bay Ave, Suite 302 Capitola, CA 95010 408-0462-2210 Daystar Shelter Corporation 22675 Cedar Drive NW Bethel, MN 55005 Domes America, Inc. 6 S. 771 Western Ave Clarendon Hills, IL 60514 800-323-5548 Maybe it's this 1991 address: 6345 West Joliet Road Countryside, Illinois 60525-3908 Domes and Homes, Inc. PO Box 365 Brielle, NJ 08730 215-825-8290 Dome Home Systems, Inc. Route 2, Box 247A Reedsburg, WI 53959 608-524-4555 Free Space Geodesics 7094 N. Harrison Ave, Suite 165 Pinedale, CA 93650 209-431-8670 Geodesic Domes, Inc. 10290 Davison Rd. Davison, MI 313-653-2383 Geodesic Domes & Homes P.O. Box 575 Whitehouse, TX 75791 Geodesic Homes Mfg & Sales P.O. Box 1675 Bailey, CO 80421 Hexadome P.O. Box 2351 La Mesa, CA 92041 Key Dome Engineering, Inc. P.O. Box 430253 Miami, FL 33143 Monolithic Constructors, Inc. 1 Dome Park Place P.O. Box 479 Italy, TX 76651 Oregon Dome Inc. 3215 Meadow Lane Eugene, Oregon 97402 ["ukcc.uky.edu" with initials -jg gives an 800 number:] Oregon Dome was extremely helpful to us. (800) 572-8943. Polydome 3020 North Park Way San Diego, CA 92104 714-574-1400 Marshall Brasil and Scott Sims Synapse Domes PO Box 554 Lander, WY 82520 307-332-5773, -4117 Timberline Geodesics 2015 Blake St. Berkeley, CA 94704 415-849-4481 [From Matthew Clark, 28 Apr 1993.] Enchanted West, Inc. manufactures lightweight, precision-molded, fiberglass panels for building geodesic domes. Contact us at mclark@scf.nmsu.edu for more information. [From Carey W. Mason, 22 Sep 1993.] Here's my source for engineering advice, plans, and parts: Geodesic Domes Attn:Roundhouse PO Box 183 Eustis, Fl 32726 [From Ross Keatinge, 2 Oct 1993] I know of two dome manufacturers in Australia: 'The Dome Company' at 'Tapitallee' near Nowra NSW. They make house and garden domes 5, 7 and 10 metre diameter. I think they also produce them in kitsets so they may be able to help with hubs etc. The contact is: Rob Lusher Phone (044) 460452 The Dome Company PO Box 3043 Nth Nowra NSW 2541 Tapitallee is a rainforest retreat centre who run seminars on alternative technologies etc as well as personal growth type stuff. I gather some of their buildings are domes. I'm thinking of spending some time there. The other is: Bretcod Geodesic Domes 27 Allawah Street Blacktown NSW Phone (02) 621-7952 He makes all sorts of domes. Since his business is selling completely built domes I'm not sure how helpful he would be. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 12 Jun 1994 03:08:35 GMT Reply-To: "Christopher J. Fearnley" Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: "Christopher J. Fearnley" Organization: Critical Path Project Subject: R. Buckminster Fuller Frequently asked Questions and Answers (Part 4 of 5) Posted-By: auto-faq 2.4 Archive-name: bucky-fuller-faq/part4 Version 0.95 Happy 98 and 11/12 birth anniversary, Bucky! This is the Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQ) Resource on R. Buckminster Fuller. It is based primarily on the history of the discussions, interests, and needs of the readers of the BITNET list GEODESIC and it's USENET gateway bit.listserv.geodesic. So some of the information could be in error (especially addresses and phone numbers). The FAQ is maintained by Chris Fearnley (cfearnl@cpp.pha.pa.us). Please send all errors and suggestions to me. The FAQ is released (usually with modifications) on the 12th of each month (to celebrate Bucky's monthly birth anniversary - He was born 12 July 1895). This document still has a lot of fluff in it. But rather than risk losing the wisdom of the net, I have included most everyone's answers to just about everything. In time I hope to distill the net wisdom further with careful editing. Also, I still l haven't gone through the '94 logs from GEODESIC nor the material on the FIX BBS. So the next version will undoubtedly be larger still. Also, the list of Fuller-related companies and manufacturers is incomplete and probably fairly inaccurate. Please send me corrections. I don't even have the BFI in here. They never told me they moved and I don't know the current address. Anyone know when they will get out of the "dark ages" and join us here on the net? Or at least share with their members their new address. BTW, I won't be sending this document to them for inclusion in the archives. If someone in Santa Barbara can slip them a disk, I'm sure they'd be gratified. Finally, if you see that one of your quotes is unclear, please send me clarifications. Bracketed citations refer to the material that follows. Some citations are quoted directly from the logs and follow the material. Beware of outdated information: this information is culled from old log files and is not necessarily up-to-date. Please follow-up with discussion and questions to bit.listserv.geodesic or to the mailing list geodesic@ubvm (see 6.2 for details). Contents: 1.0 Introductory 2.0 Fuller's Ideas about Human Society: Critical Path 2.1.0 What is the Design Science Revolution? 2.1.1 When will the Design Science Revolution begin? 2.2 What is the "cosmic accounting system"? Fuller's Economics. 2.3.0 What is the World Game? 2.3.1 What is the World Game Institute? 2.3.2 What are the World Game Institutes "games" like? 2.3.3 What is Global Data Manager (GDM)? 2.3.4 Does the World Game offer any solutions to the World Hunger Problem? 2.4.0 What were Fuller's views on religion/God? 2.4.1 How did Bucky's "Ever Rethinking the Lord's Prayer" go? 2.5 What is the Global Energy Grid idea? 2.6 What is a "trimtab"? 2.7 Was Bucky a socialist? 2.8 What were Fuller's views on Education? 2.9 What is the difference between "Class I" and "Class II" evolution? 2.10 How to house humanity? And other reflections on Making the World work. 3.0 Synergetics 3.1 What is "synergy"? 3.2 What is Fuller's definition of "Universe"? 3.3.0 What is the "isotropic vector matrix" [IVM]? 3.3.1 I wondered if hexagonal closest packing forms an IVM? Also, is a diamond cubic structure the same as an IVM? 3.4 What is the "vector equilibrium"? 3.5 What is the jitterbug? 3.6 What is Fuller's concept of "space"? 3.7 What is a "system"? 3.8 What is the "minimal system"? 3.9 What is the "omnidirectional halo"? 3.10 Does synergetics provide an extension or modification of the 'scientific method?' 3.11 Are there connections between synergetics and fullerenes (besides the name, of course? 3.12 Why use synergetics conversion factors and other irrationals? 3.13 What is Precession? 3.14 What is the equation for finding the volume of a pyramid? 4.0 Geodesic Domes and Other Inventions 4.1.0 What is a geodesic dome? 4.1.1 Does a dome really weigh less than its component materials? 4.1.2 What are some features of underground, concrete domes? 4.1.3 What are geotangent domes? 4.1.4 What are the advangates (and disadvantages) of Dome Life? 4.1.5 How to use solar panels in domes? 4.1.6 Dome References [Oldest material first] 4.2.0 Dome Math: What you've all been waiting for!!! 4.2.1 Dome Theory 4.2.2 What are the basics of Spherical Trigonometry? 4.2.3 How to tesselate a sphere? 4.2.4 Chord Factors - the nitty gritty. 4.3.0 What is a tensegrity model? 4.3.1 How to Build Tensegraties? 4.3.2 Who was Kenneth Snelson and what was his role in the invention of tensegrities? 4.4 What are "cloud nines"? 4.5 What is "dymaxion"? 4.6 What is the Dymaxion Car? 4.7 What is a "fog gun"? 4.8 What was Fuller's Floating City design? 4.9 What was the Old Man's River City Project (circular cities)? 4.10 What was the Dymaxion Deployment Unit? 4.11.0 What is the Dymaxion Map? 4.11.1 Other stuff about the Dymaxion Map. 4.12 What was the Dymaxion House? 5.0 Miscellany 5.1.0 What are "fullerenes" and "buckyballs"? 5.1.1 What are some of the properties of the fullerenes? 5.1.2 What are buckytubes? 5.1.3 What are "endohedral fullerenes"? 5.2 What is Biosphere II? 5.3 Was Fuller formally educated? 5.4 Will there be a 1995 commemorative stamp marking Bucky's 100th? 5.5 Bibliography: Culled from several postings 5.6 Organizations and Corporations mentioned on GEODESIC (incomplete and dated) [Mostly dome-type manufacturers.] 5.7 Computer tools (may or may not be useful to dome design or synergetics). 5.8 Fuller's "failures." 5.9 Where would you encourage your best friend to start in the Fuller literature? (For maximum ease of mastery) 5.10 Quotes and Coinages. 5.11 Evaluating the value of the Man, Bucky: humanitarian or cold-hearted technocrat? 5.12 What was the nature of Fuller's involvement with Werner Erhardt, EST and the World Hunger Project? 5.13 What were relations between Fuller and his Students? 5.14 What is GENESIS II? 5.15 Could Fuller's proposed Very Large Structures work? 6.0 Net Resources 6.1 Buckminsterfullerenes Update Service and Fullerene Bibliography 6.2 List GEODESIC: GEODESIC@UBVM.BITNET 6.3 FIX (Fuller Information eXchange) BBS 6.4 WWW (World Wide Web) sources 4.11.0 What is the Dymaxion Map? The Dymaxion Map is Fuller's attempt to provide the best all-at-once view (therefore flat and not globe-shaped) of the Whole Earth. His solution is based on projecting the globe onto an icosahedron and then unfolding the icosa (making it flat). His design was awarded U.S. Patent 2,393,676 in 1946. 4.11.1 Other stuff about the Dymaxion Map. Over my recent X-mas break from school, I had the opportunity to visit the semi-new St. Louis Science Center. Among many interesting and some not-so interesting displays there was a dymaxion globe with magnetic panals holding the map sections to it's surface. It was a great puzzle to take them all off and assemble them flat on the surface provided. The display briefly noted that it was called a dymaxion map, and didn't mention Bucky at all. There is also an hourly(?) laser show on a huge (three-story tall) dymaxion map. Again no mention of Bucky. But it is exposure. Christopher L. Weeks [From Sarah Lum] [The] world map interface, which many of us feel is replete with desirable futuristic connotations, not to mention real advantages. minimal distortion including in high latitudes no sinus cuts into land masses apolitically polar-centric hardwired in the literature to civilian deployment strategies on a scale that would arm-chair military masterminds feel right @ home World Game sells its Global Recall software which shows data on the map -- the deflated, unfolded, orthonormal, omnitriangulated icosaspheric projection. DISCLAIMER: I am not in any way connected or affiliated with the World Game Institute. This is not to be construed as a sales pitch by a party with a direct or even indirect financial interest in success of World Game, Inc. 4.12 What was the Dymaxion House? [From Kirby Urner] The Dymaxion House prototype, for instance, was more octagonal, suspended from a central "utility mast" -- a house on a pole. 5.0 Miscellany 5.1.0 What are "fullerenes" and "buckyballs"? SCIENCE magazine voted buckminsterfullerene "Molecule of the Year" in 1991. [From Kenneth J. Fair.] The exciting part of the discovery of C60 molecules is that they are only the third naturally occuring form of carbon to be found (graphite and diamond of course being the first two). C60 was first isolated from graphite (I think) in 1985. As Paul Houle writes, C60 is formed in the shape of a geodesic sphere (like the panels of a soccer ball), hence the name "buckminster- fullerene" or "buckyballs" for short. Each carbon has three sp2 hybrid orbitals and the fourth electron of each carbon resides in a delocalized pi orbital that ranges over the entire ball (like benzene). The physical appearance of C60 is very much similar to graphite, as are some of its physical properties. C60, unlike graphite, can be dissolved in benzene to form a translucent amber solution. Other developments of buckyballs: 1) Radicalization - Besides just the pure C60 form, researchers at Rice have added hydrogen molecules to the carbon junctures to form molecules such as C60H36. Also, work is progressing on making C60 radical groupings (similar to benzene -> phenol). 2) Property measurement - Although many of the properties of C60 are known, most of the properties of its compounds are still hazy. 3) Higher molecules - Other stable forms with greater numbers of carbons have been isolated as well, including C70, C72, and a couple of others I can't remember. All of these have geodesic shapes as classified by Buckminster Fuller and look like lopsided versions of the normal C60 molecule. 4) Ionization - One can trap metallic ions such as Fe++ and Mg++ in the cage of the C60 to make the molecule act as a very large ion. 5) Superconductivity - As far as I know, the 18K Tc for C60 is the correct figure. This of course is much lower than high-temperature superconductors, but this fact may be used in some way at a later date. Kenneth J. Fair [From Blaine A. D'Amico.] I promised a citation for the best Fullerene book to date. It is titled "Fullerene C60; History, physics, Nanobiology, Nanotechnology." North Holland Press by Djuro Koruga, Stuart Hameroff, James Withers, Raoulf Loutfy, and Malur Sundareshan. The first chapter explores Fuller and Synergetics and the entire book is consistent with Fullers Cosmography. Take a look. 5.1.1 What are some of the properties of the fullerenes? [From Kirby Urner.] Buckminsterfullerene (C60) is becoming ever easier to get in quantity and shows many interesting optical properties. It stops light -- the brighter the light the more effectively it stops it. Nano and pico-second laser pulses are effectively and instantly opaqued by small quantities of C60. Putting it in goggles or welders' masks is a definite possibility (Patterson AFB in Ohio is studying such applications). Many other optical properties of the fullerenes are under study and a whole conference on the topic is coming up (in San Diego I think). However, C60 remains forty times more expensive than gold. As Smalley put it "it's the yield, stupid" -- i.e. the central issue facing fullerene researchers, in Smalley's opinion, is how to get more of it. The Smalley team approach of using parabolic mirrors to sun-generate fullerenes (to produce "sunnyballs") appears to be a potentially promising approach. Concentrated sunlight has less of the damaging frequencies in high-powered lasers that apparently to inhibit fullerene formation from vaporized carbon). 5.1.2 What are buckytubes? Richard Smalley of Rice University believes these may hold promise in building an elevator to space as first proposed by Arthur C. Clarke in _Fountains of Paradise_. Bucky tubes may be tensionally stronger than diamond. [From "Buckymania" in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction - typed in by Bruce Sterling.] "Carbon-fiber is a high-tech construction material which has been seeing a lot of use lately in tennis rackets, bicycles, and high-performance aircraft. It's already the strongest fiber known. This makes the discovery of "buckytubes" even more striking. A buckytube is carbon-fiber with a difference: it's a buckyball extruded into a long continuous cylinder comprised of one single superstrong molecule." 5.1.3 What are "endohedral fullerenes"? [From Kirby Urner.] Fullerenes with atoms or clusters of atoms inside, the so-called "endohedral fullerenes", are presently extremely difficult to isolate in quantity and their properties are as yet poorly understood (no one yet knows, for example, if crystals of same will superconduct, as does K3C60 -- potassium atoms in all the intersticies in a C60 crystal packing). The suggested notation for endohedrals, by the way, is X@Cn, e.g. K@C60 (potassium atom inside C60). 5.2 What is Biosphere II? [Note this is not really Fuller related, but keeps pooing up on the list. From Carl Dichter.] "Biosphere I" is the earth. Basically, a whole ecology that is encapsulated by the atmosphere and needs nothing except solar power to continue living "forever". "Biosphere II" is an attempt by some scientists/enterprenuers to model its behavior with (either 4 or 6, can't remember) people, plants, and animals in a metal and glass enclosure. The enclosure looks something like this from the side: _____ / \ _/ \_ / \ / \ ______ _______________________/ \_ / ^ / \ _ / \________/ \ / \ _/ \ / \ / \ \ / | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's made out of a triangular latticework of aluminum, with glass panels, not in a dome configuration: more like four-sided pyramids. Supposedly, each of these panels costs $20,000 to install, seal, and test. Inside of the "spere" are little climate/life zones. These each have mini geological features, like an "ocean", "mountain", "desert". These zone vary as much as possible considering they share the same air. They've planned the amount of each type of life form they can support. 5.3 Was Fuller formally educated? Regarding his honarary doctorates the "Basic Biography" (available from the Buckminster Fuller Institute) lists 40 such degrees in a comprehensive list ranging from Doctor of Design, Laws, fine arts, Engineering, humane letters, literature, humanities, and science. He was granted Professional Liscences as an archiect in New York (1974) and Ohio (1979). - Blaine A. D'Amico I remeber reading in a biography (can't remember which) that Bucky made two false starts at college and didn't finish either time. - Bill Long 5.4 Will there be a 1995 commemorative stamp marking Bucky's 100th? [From BFI Trimtab Bulletin VOL 7 NO 4] Thomas Zung is working on it. Send letters supporting this idea to The Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee c/o Norma Arroyo US Postal Service 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW Washington DC 20260-6700 And send a copy of your letter to BFI for there files. 5.5 Bibliography: Culled from several postings [Culled from postings by Blaine D'Amico, Gary Lawrence Murphy, Jim Lutz, and this editor's research] BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS INCLUDING ORIGINAL MATERIAL BY R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER 4D time lock [by] Buckminster Fuller. Albuquerque, N.M., Lama Foundation [c1972] x, 148 p. illus. 27 cm. Published in 1930 under title: 4D. And It Came to Pass, Not to Stay -- New York : Macmillan, c1976. 157 p. ; 22 cm. Approaching the Benign Environment. / [by] R. Buckminster Fuller, Eric A. Walker [and] James R. Killian, Jr. Pref. by Taylor Littleton. [New York], Collier Books, [1970]. 160 p. 20 cm. Contents: Education for comprehensivity, by R. B. Fuller.--Engineers and the nation's future, by E. A. Walker.-- Toward a working partnership of the sciences and humanities, by J. R. Killian, Jr. (The Franklin lectures in the sciences and humanities, 1st ser.) The artifacts of R. Buckminster Fuller : a comprehensive collection of his designs and drawings / edited with descriptions by James Ward. -- New York: Garland, 1984. 4 v. : ill. ; 31 cm. Includes bibliographies. Contents: v. 1. The Dymaxion experiment, 1926-1943 -- v. 2. Dymaxion deployment, 1927-1946 -- v. 3. The geodesic revolution, part 1, 1947-1959 -- v. 4. The geodesic revolution, part 2, 1960-1983. [This is a huge collection of Fuller's technical papers, blueprints, etc. Its a tremendous resource. -Alex Soojung-Kim Pang] Buckminster Fuller: An Autobiographical Monologue Scenario (St. Martin's Press, c1981.) Must reading for any Fuller student. Contains numerous stills from movies of Fuller. The Buckminster Fuller reader / edited and introduced by James Meller. London, Cape, 1970. 383 p., 16 plates. illus., facsim., map. 23 cm. Bibliography: p. 371-373. Critical Path. adjuvant Kiyoshi Kuromiya. -- New York : St. Martin's Press, c1981. xxxviii, 471 p. : ill. ; 24 cm. Includes index. A complete scientific and sociological examination of human history, solutions to current problems of humanity and future trends for "cosmic evolution". Cosmography: A Posthumous Scenario for the Future of Humanity. adjuvant: Kiyoshi Kuromiya. Macmillan Publishing Company, c1992. viii, 271 p. Includes index. (ISBN 0-02-541850-5). Design for the real world; human ecology and social change [by] Victor Papanek. With an introd. by R. Buckminster Fuller. [1st American ed.] New York, Pantheon Books [1972, c1971] xxviii, 339 p. illus. 21 cm. Bibliography: p. [311]-339. The Dymaxion World of Buckminster Fuller [by] Robert Marks and R. Buckminster Fuller. Garden City, N.Y., Anchor Books, 1973 [c1960] 246 p. illus. 26 cm. "Slightly revised Anchor Press edition." A pictorial and written retrospective of Fuller's work and thought. Earth, inc. [by] R. Buckminster Fuller. Garden City, N.Y., Anchor Press, 1973. 180 p. illus. 21 cm. Education Automation : Freeing the Scholar to return to his Studies, a discourse before the Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville Campus Planning Committee, April 22, 1961 / Foreword by Charles D. Tenney. Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Press, [c1962]. 88 p. 22 cm. (Southern Illinois University occasional publication.) Fuller's diagnosis of and solution to the education crisis. Energy, Earth, and everyone : a global energy strategy for spaceship Earth / by Medard Gabel, with the World Game Workshop ; with a foreword by R. Buckminster Fuller, and an afterword by Stewart Brand. -- San Francisco : Straight Arrow Books ; [New York] : distributed by Simon and Schuster, c1975. 160 p. : ill. ; 20 x 29 cm. Cover title. Bibliography: p. 153. Expanded cinema. Youngblood, Gene / Introd. by R. Buckminster Fuller. [1st ed.]. New York, Dutton, 1970. 432 p. illus. (part col.), ports. 21 cm. (Dutton paperback original, D263.) Bibliography: p. 421-425. Generation of Narcissus. With an introd. by R. Buckminster Fuller. [1st ed.] Boston, Little, Brown [1971] xii, 266 p. 22 cm. Grunch of Giants. -- New York : St. Martin's Press, 1983. xxviii, 98 p. Includes index. Fuller's analysis of the international banking system where he advises the world that the current economic systems have been robbed by multinational corporate giants. GRUNCH = Gross Universal Cash Heist. Fascinating reading. Humans in Universe. Buckminster Fuller, Anwar Dil. -- 1st American ed. -- New York : Moutin, c1983. 235 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. Conversations between Fuller and Indian Philosopher Anwar Dil. Ideas and integrities : a spontaneous autobiographical disclosure edited by Robert W. Marks. --1st Collier Books ed. -- New York : Collier Books, a division of Macmillan Pub. Co., 1969. 318 p., [32] p. of plates : ill., charts, ports. ; 20 cm. Includes index. Intuition. foreword by Norman Cousins. -- 2nd ed. -- San Luis Obispo, Calif. : Impact Publishers, 1983. 223 p. ; 21 cm. Blank verse describing humanity, mind, Universe and Synergy. Inventions: The Patented Works of R. Buckminster Fuller. -- 1st ed. -- New York : St. Martin's Press, c1983. xxxii, 316 p. : ill., plans, ports. ; 32 cm. Actual copies of Fuller's collected patents with historical and instructive notes by Fuller. Also contains Fuller's apologia mia vita in which Fuller describes his life strategy and discoveries. Inventory of World Resources: Human Trends and Needs. [1963-1965] Document 1: By R. Buckminster Fuller and John McHale [1963] Document 2: The Design Initiative by R. Buckminster Fuller [1964] Document 3: Comprehensive Thinking by R. Buckminster Fuller [1965] Document 4: The Ten Year Program by John McHale [1965] I Seem To Be A Verb, by Buckminster Fuller and Quentin Fiore. Mindstyles, lifestyles : a comprehensive overview of today's life-changing philosophies / by Nathaniel Lande ; introd., Hans Selye ; conclusion, R. Buckminster Fuller ; col. ill., Corita Kent. -- Los Angeles : Price/Stern/Sloan, c1976. 495 p. : ill.; 28 cm. Includes index. Bibliography: p. 492-494. Naga: cultural origins in Siam and the West Pacific / Sumet Jumsai ; with contributions by R. Buckminster Fuller. -- Singapore ; New York : Oxford University Press, 1988. xvi, 183 p., [16] p. of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 26 cm. Includes index. Bibliography: p. 179-181. Nine Chains to the Moon Philadelphia, J. B. Lippincott Company [c1938] xvi, 405 p. illus., 2 fold. diagr. 24 cm. Maps on lining-papers. Reissued Carbondale, Ill., Southern Illinois University Press, [1963]. 375 p. illus. 22 cm. No more secondhand God; and other writings. Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Press, [1963]. 163 p. illus. 22 cm. (Southern Illinois University occasional publication.) Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth. [New York] Simon and Schuster [1970, c1969] 143 p. 21 cm. (A Touchstone/Clarion book 20783) First paperback printing, 1970. Includes index. Fullers seminal work regarding the relationship of humanity to the environment and planetary planning. World history takes on a new meaning and significance. A primer on Synergetics. A Question of Priorities, New Strategies for Our Urbanized World / [by] Edward Higbee. With an introd. by R. Buckminster Fuller. New York, Morrow, 1970. xxxiv, 214 p. 22 cm. Bibliography: p. [199]-203. R. Buckminster Fuller on Education. edited by Peter H. Wagschal and Robert D. Kahn. -- Amherst : University of Massachusetts Press, 1979. 192 p. : ill. ; 21 cm. [See Education Automation] A sculptor's world. [Noguchi, Isamu] / Foreword by R. Buckminster Fuller. [1st U.S. ed.]. New York, Harper & Row, [1968]. 259 p. 268 illus. (part col.). 27 cm. Synergetics: Explorations in the Geometry of Thinking. [by] R. Buckminster Fuller in collaboration with E. J. Applewhite. Pref. and contribution by Arthur L. Loeb. New York, Macmillan [1975] xxxii, 876 p. illus. 24 cm. Bibliography: p. 875-876. Synergetics II: Further Explorations in the Geometry of Thinking These two books comprise the collected geometric modeling system developed and used by Fuller in the development of his explanation of the "coordinate system of nature". Fuller claimed that Synergetics could be understood by a 5 year old. Synergetics Dictionary : the Mind of Buckminster Fuller : with an introduction and appendices / compiled and edited by E.J. Applewhite. -- New York : Garland, 1986. 4 v. ; 32 cm. Includes bibliographies. Synergetic Stew: Explorations in Dymaxion Dining. Philadelphia, Buckminster Fuller Institute, 1982. 118 p. Includes index. Tetrascroll: A Cosmic Fairy Tale: Goldilocks and the Three Bears. New York, St. Martin's Press [1975,1982] xxvii, 129 p. illus. Introduction by Amei Wallach. Wonderful tale of Goldilocks and the three bears in which Goldi learns General Systems Theory and Synergetic geometry through real world examples. This or else ... : a master plan for India's survival / by Dinshaw J. Dastur. -- Bombay : Jaico Pub. House, 1974. x [i.e. xvi], 184 p. ; 22 cm. Includes a foreword by R. Buckminster Fuller. Uncommon sense : the life and thought of Ludwig von Bertalanffy (1901-1972), father of general systems theory / [by] Mark Davidson ; foreword by R. Buckminster Fuller ; introduction by Kenneth E. Boulding. -- 1st ed. -- Los Angeles : J.P. Tarcher ; Boston : Distributed by Houghton Mifflin Co., c1983. 247 p. ; 25 cm. Bibliography: p. 229-236. Includes index. Untitled epic poem on the history of industrialization. Highlands [N.C], J. Williams, 1962. 227 p. 20 cm. (Jargon, 44.) Utopia or Oblivion: the Prospects for Humanity. With an introduction by Stephen Mullin. [London] Allen Lane The Penguin Press [c1970] 416 p. illus. 23 cm. Includes bibliography. BOOKS ABOUT R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER OR RELATING TO HIS WORK Aaseng, Nathan. More with Less : the Future World of Buckminster Fuller (Minneapolis : Lerner Publications, c1986.) Ninth grade reading level. Excellent introduction into Synergetics and Fullers significance in general Applewhite, E. J. Cosmic fishing : an account of writing Synergetics with Buckminster Fuller. (New York : Macmillan, c1977.) xvi, 157 p. ; 25 cm. Applewhite, E. J. Paradise mislaid : birth, death & the human predicament of being biological / E.J. Applewhite. -- 1st ed. -- New York : St. Martin's Press, 1991. xii, 480 p. ; 25 cm. Includes bibliographical references (p. 439-458) and index. "A Thomas Dunne book." Edmondson, Amy C. A Fuller explanation : the synergetic geometry of R. Buckminster Fuller / Amy C. Edmondson. -- Boston : Birkhauser, c1987. xx, 302 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. -- (Design science collection.) "A Pro scientia viva title." Includes index. Bibliography: p. [287]. Fuller Superb, plain english explanation of Synergetics from a mathematician who worked with Fuller for the last three years of his life. Part of the Design Science collection. Gabel, Medard. Energy, Earth, and everyone : a global energy strategy for spaceship Earth [See Energy, Earth, and Everyone] Gabel, Medard. Ho-Ping: Food for Everyone , strategies to eliminate hunger on spaceship Earth / by Medard Gabel, with the World Game laboratory. Anchor Books, c1979. 272 p. : ill. ; 20 x 29 cm. Includes bibliographic references. Grimaldi, Roberto. R. Buckminster Fuller : 1895-1983. Roma : Officina, 1990. 121 p. (Dizionario monografico degli architetti moderni e contemporanei ; 2) Hatch, Alden, (1898-), Buckminster Fuller: at home in the universe. New York, Crown [1974] vii, 279 p. illus. 24 cm. Kenner, Hugh. Bucky; a guided tour of Buckminster Fuller. New York, Morrow, 1973. 338 p. illus. 21 cm. Bibliography: p. 327-331. Hugh Kenner's "Geodesic Math and How to Use It" Berkeley : University of California Press, c1976. xi, 172 p. : ill. ; 22 cm. (ISBN 0-520-02924-0) This is an excellent book for the hobbyist model builder, but also shows geometric derivations for a number of approaches to carving up the surface of a sphere into the smallest practical number of different shaped parts, which is the key matter in dome fabrication. The book also discusses tensegrity designs, although I believe Hugh has since release a volume devoted to tensegrity. For those without calculators :-), the appendix of the book lists the dome-vertex values for many practical frequencies in the basic polyhedral forms. McHale, John. R. Buckminster Fuller. New York, Braziller, 1962. 127 p. illus. (Makers of contemporary architecture) Includes bibliography. Reese, K.M. Certain activities of R. Buckminster Fuller. (Newscripts) Chemical & Engineering News v71, n4 (Jan 25, 1993):60. Abstract: R. Buckminster Fuller, for whom the fullerene was named, invented the geodesic dome in 1933. He also designed the Dymaxion car with a body made of duralumin. The car had three wheels, a teardrop shape and a maximum speed of 120 miles per hour with 40 miles to the gallon. It can be parked in a space only a foot longer than itself. The Dymaxion car can also be rotated 360 degrees within its own length. Robertson, Donald W. Mind's eye of Richard Buckminster Fuller / by Donald W. Robertson. -- New York : St. Martin's Press, [1983?], c1974. 109 p. : ill. ; 22 cm. Reprint. Originally published: 1st ed. New York : Vantage Press, c1974. Includes bibliographical references. Sieden, Lloyd Steven. Buckminster Fuller's universe : an appreciation / Lloyd Steven Sieden; foreword by Norman Cousins. -- New York : Plenum Press, c1989. xvii, 511 p. : ill. ; 22 cm. Includes index. Bibliography: p. 449-498. Snyder, Robert. R. Buckminster Fuller: an autobiographical monologue/scenario / documented and edited by Robert Synder. -- New York : St. Martin's Press, c1980. 218 p. : ill. ; 28 cm. Fuller's earth : a day with Bucky and the kids / [edited] by Richard J. Brenneman. -- 1st ed. -- New York : St. Martin's Press, c1984. x, 180 p. : ill. ; 22 cm. Includes index. Bibliography: p. 163-166. Bucky for Beginners Workbook style lesson plans for Synergetic activities. A must for teachers. Shaping space : a polyhedral approach / Marjorie Senechal and George Fleck, editors. -- Boston : Birkh:auser, 1988. xx, 284 p. : ill. ; 28 cm. -- (Design science collection.) "A Pro scientia viva title." Includes material from the Shaping Space Conference held at Smith College, Apr. 6-8, 1984. Includes index. Bibliography: p. 266-271. Also from the Design Science collection. The proceedings of a conference on polyhedral theory. A wealth of information including a useful article entitled "Polyhedral in the curriculum." [From Alex Soojung-Kim Pang.] Wendell Barry in _Speaking for Words_ has an excellent critique of Fuller's writing style. There are also a number of magazine articles, published mainly in the 1950s to 1970s, that profile Fuller and give "day in the life" views of him. These have been indexed in a bio-bibliography published by Vance (which does a lot of these for public figures) available at your university library. 5.6 Organizations and Corporations mentioned on GEODESIC (incomplete and dated) [Mostly dome-type manufacturers.] **1990**: Tensegrity Systems Corp. Tivoli, NY 12583 1-800-227-2316 Dear Readers, in the mail I just received a catalog of audio tapes from SOUNDSTRUE in Boulder, Co. There are 3 Buckminster tapes available: #88-C011 "Is There Enough To Go Around?" 60 min. $9.95 #88-C010 "B.F.: A Primer Conversation" 60 min. $9.95 #88-C009 "B.F.: The 50-Year Experiment" 90 min. $9.95 Here's the 800-number: 800-835-2246 Ext. 275 If you need more information drop me a line at DOMST@SNYFREBA.Bitnet. 1994: [From Kurt Przybilla.] The best polyhedronal modelling kit I've seen is available from Edmund Scientific. It is called a "Star Structure Construction Set". Although it is a little pricey at $25, the vector joints are the best I've found. They resemble stars with 12 points. The struts are hollow tubes that fit on the stars. Though the book it comes with is a little lame, it explains how to make some of the more basic shapes. The main disadvantage is that the struts are all the same length which makes domes difficult. Edmund Scientific has a wonderful catalog that everyone should should have their own copy of. The number listed in it to request a catalog is (609) 573-6858. To order directly (609) 573-6250. The set is catalog number G52,060. Probably the most widely available kit on the marketare made by a company out of Oregon called Ikosa Kits. Though they are inexpensive and come in various sizes, they are really nothing more than shishkab sticks with sections of plastic tubing which you must pierce yourself to make joints. They are available in new age toys stores like Star Magic. [From Anton Bakker] The Zone-Tool by Biocrystals in Bolder Colorado is a good tool. The large kit cost ~ $600 A contact person is Marc Pellitier. If you contact him tell him that Jane & John Kostick refered the tool to you via me. Marc ows Jane & John $120 (true). [From Carey W. Mason, Oct '92] I have recently completed owner-builder construction of 2 geodesic domes. After some research, I selected the dome-shell kits from Robt Kirkpatrick in Ft. McCoy, Fla. These kits are "Pease"-type domes as opposed to "Hub-and- Strut" construction. Kirkpatrick's kits (I have a 39' and a 45') are each constructed of two sizes of triangles, pre-assembled, reinforced, braced, with plywood attached for the outer surface, and the outer surface coated with elastomeric polymer. We assembled the triangles into pentagons (small tri's) and half hexagons (larger tri's) and then lifted by crane to assemble the shells. The first taking two days, the second in one day (thanks to setting the angle of the section with a magnetic protractor before craning it into position). This $10 Kirkpatrick trick saved several hundred dollars in crane time, etc. Here's Bob Kirkpatrick's info: Rt 2, Box 2862 Ft McCoy, Fl 32134 (904) 6853235 [ED: BFI: Buckminster Fuller Institute. They recently moved and due to their incompetance (sorry) and my not having called them, I don't have the address. Here is there new phone number (805) 962-0022.] 5.7 Computer tools (may or may not be useful to dome design or synergetics). I'm just getting up to speed with GNU-Calc running under GNU Emacs and in conjunction with gnuplot for graphing. There are deficiencies in these programs, but there are probably the best "free"ware available. If you have the money, many people rave about Mathematica and its cheif competition Maple. [From The Geometry Center, 22 JUN '92] The Geometry Center announces release 1.1 of geomview, a program for looking at and interactively manipulating 3D objects. The current version runs on Silicon Graphics IRIS workstations. It is available via anonymous ftp at geom.umn.edu (128.101.25.31) in the "pub/geomview" subdirectory. "geomview-bin.tar.Z" contains pre-compiled binaries, documentation, and data and takes up 3 MB of disk space. The source distribution is "geomview.tar.Z" and takes up 21 MB of disk space. To unpack, type "uncompress < [geomview|geomview-bin].tar.Z | tar xvopf -". Please send all correspondence regarding this software via email to "software@geom.umn.edu". 5.8 Fuller's "failures." [From Alex Soojung-Kim Pang - See 4.9 What was the Old Man's River City Project (circular cities)? for background.] It is also interesting to note that this [Old Man River City] was the most modest of a series of urban renewal projects that Fuller was involved in at the time: his proposals for floating cities, renovation of Harlem (which involved tearing down all the buildings and erecting a series of apartment blocks that looked like nuclear plant cooling towers), and floating spherical cities all date from this period. Ironically, they represent a kind of technocratic vision that many of Fuller's followers in the counterculture rejected, though the tension between the _Whole Earth Catalog_ and _Domebook_ interpretation of Bucky and the Bucky that was proposing to build cooling towers on Harlem never became strong. [From Leo Elliott] Ross Keatinge raises some interesting speculations about Bucky's self-promotions and possible over-estimations of his projects' current or future feasibilities. The oldest one I can specifically recall, that seemed the most ordinary, was his "dymaxion bath" (part of the dymaxion house?), illustrated in Marks' "The Dymaxion World of Buckmister Fuller" -- supposedly this two-piece, user-assemblable bath-utility would provide all the normal bath amenities (shower, tub, toilet, sink) with the additional economy of being able to take a very cleansing shower on only about a pint of water, an idea which Bucky says he got from watching how clean the engine-room sailors would get once they came up on deck and stood in the spray of a strong sea mist for a while -- ? Not sure of any data/research ever done by the soap or the plumbing-fixture companies on this particular claim, but according to Bucky, the dymaxion bath (which would also be serviceable in a recto-house, one presumes?) got nixed once the plumbers So how much of Bucky's self-promotion was hot air, and how much has been demonstrated? As I recall, some of the materials prescribed for both the dymaxion house and bath were of the order of plastics, which hadn't come into existence yet. Bucky used to say he decided, after studying the various timelags that he saw existing in various industries between the inception of an idea and its practical application (the most egregious of which, 50 years, he saw existing in the housing/construction industries), that he wanted to live his lifeplan 50 years out from the rest of humanity, thereby avoiding the carping of the critics: "I do not care that I am not understood, but I do not like to be misunderstood." (rough paraphrase.) It would seem, from the posthumous discovery of the Fullerenes, that at least some of Bucky's visions were spot on. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 12 Jun 1994 21:26:38 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: scimatec5@UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU Organization: University of Toledo Subject: Dome Calculations/FAQ Just a note on the dome calculations. The icosa (as well as the octahedral) projections are ALTERNATE. I think that's all I'm missing as far as labelling. Let me know if there's anymore. Steve Mather ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 12 Jun 1994 23:39:24 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kirby Urner Subject: Pro-Net Propaganda Storyboarding for Design Science Drama: Some Pro-Net Propaganda by Kirby Urner June 12, 1994 In Grunch of Giants, Bucky Fuller cast the community of networkers in the role of David versus the supranational corporate Goliath. As in any good tale, the archetypal opposition (compression) provides a foreground plot against a contextual background of eternal principles (tension). Behind the scenes we ever rediscover what teachers call "the unity of opposites." David and Goliath are two aspects of the same psyche. We have met the enemy and the enemy is us. The Internet is abuzz with rumors of huge conglomerates positioning for an all-out invasion. The funky, free and informal usefulness of a shared, non-hierarchical, decentralized, self-monitoring culture will be conquered by a culture of greed and aggressiveness. The world of commercial television, which has already invaded public schools, will storm into our peaceable kingdom to haul us as slaves in chains before our new corporate masters. We shall once again be cast as consumers of dumbed down infotainment carefully purged any content that might offend the sponsors. Everything will cost, nothing will be reusable or recopyable, and stories of these carefree days will be as legends in the ears of our children. The evil Grunch will have won. In Bucky's tale, the now omnipresent computer is on the side of Good. The global financial number cruncher keeps crunching away and crunching away and always comes up with the same surprising answer: we humans now, today, have the requisite physical and metaphysical assets in inventory to stage a great world play about the coming of age of our species. Late night religious broadcasting of the hopeless poverty in our world, ever in need of our guilt-derived dollars, might be supplanted by a new kind of program about actually ending death by starvation -- forever. Props in our new world dramas: domes hanging from helicopters; graphical dymaxion map displays; computer monitors aglow with designs for livingry, ready for distribution on a massive scale, instead of killingry, (already massively distributed). What Bucky hoped is that our youthful, globally networked generation, so full of promise, would stand up to the onrushing goliath. He encouraged us to look at lawyer-capitalism's (LAWCAP's) shareholder enterprises as ghost ships on automatic pilot, the great pirates who once steered them having long ago passed from the scene. Crews of bewildered and superstitious bureaucrats still go through the motions, reciting their mindless mantras passed on as wisdom. But LAWCAP's big picture accounts, steeped in Dark Ages obfuscation and contrived to sound paternal and profound, are becoming less and less a source of comfort in these uncharted waters. The crew members are beginning to awaken to the reality of their situation. They cling to our nets for survival. Bucky knew the limited liability, legally irresponsible, soulless creatures of LAWCAP's accounting hadn't the humanity nor intelligence to navigate successfully in cyberspace. LAWCAP reflexes are all out of synch with what world game positions now need filling. The you-or-me never-enough-for-both great global tragedy is swiftly losing market share. Hollywood-style media extravaganzas, now in storyboard phase, need a new kind of star. Newscasters and media pundits with no knowledge of designer dwellings built for multimedia, no grasp of grand strategy maps minus their political overlays, no sense of what it means to surf freely through the Net, have a lot of homework ahead of them. Our time is now. We, the global networkers, the world game players of today, have inherited the experimental prototype community of tomorrow. A giant BuckyBall stands at the center of Disney's EPCOT, Grunch's central shrine. The logo-language of corporate heraldry is destined to transform in the context of this world around web, a hypertext tapestry into which all of our metaphysical assets will be interwoven. Employing the know-how wealth amassed for us by our brilliant and courageous forbearers, we will make of this earth what the great pirates of old never dared wish for, except maybe in their most private prayers: a world in which our highest human values are consistent with the roles we are destined to play -- a great tragedy no longer. Let the show begin! ------------------------------------------------ Kirby T. Urner pdx4d@teleport.com 4D Solutions (teleport.com is a public access node) Portland, Oregon ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 13 Jun 1994 12:48:59 CST Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Tom Dosemagen Subject: Re: Dome houses I have a neighbor that has a 44 foot dome that used polyurethane foam and to the best of my knowledge hasn't had any trouble so far. The people at Natural Spaces, who have been in the dome business for over 20 years, feel that the best way to insulate a dome is with fiberglass insulation. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 13 Jun 1994 15:08:13 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU From: Christopher Rywalt Organization: Stevens Institute of Technology Subject: Found the address for BFI I just got this from University City Science Center. I hope it's up to date. The address is Buckminster Fuller Institute, 1743 La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90035. If anybody knows any different, please e-mail me. Chris %SYSTEM-F-ACCVIO, access violation, reason mask=00, virtual address=00000000, PC =0000BFEF, PSL=03C00009 %TRACE-F-TRACEBACK, symbolic stack dump follows module name routine name line rel PC abs PC SIGNTAURE crywalt@vaxc.stevens-tech.edu 2010 00001010 DEADBEEF SIGNATURE main 2226 00000107 0000BFEF ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 13 Jun 1994 14:08:05 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Alex Soojung-Kim Pang Subject: Re: Found the address for BFI In-Reply-To: <199406132025.NAA29865@garnet.berkeley.edu> from "Christopher Rywalt" at Jun 13, 94 03:08:13 pm The Los Angeles address is, indeed, wrong. The new address is 2040 Alameda Padre Serra Suite 224 Santa Barbara, CA 93103 Cheers, Alex Pang apang@garnet.berkeley.edu ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 14 Jun 1994 12:54:16 EDT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: AL CHRENKA Subject: DATABASE LIST DATABASE LIST ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 17 Jun 1994 10:01:42 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Lee Wood Subject: Re: discussion of Buckminster Fuller RE: > This list is for the discussion of Buckminster "Bucky" Fuller, > his works and his philosophies on Life, the Universe, and Everything... Would you pls tell me how to subscribe to this list. If there are sub-lists, I'm particularly interested in the "philosophies" part. thnx. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Lee Wood | Lee_Wood@sfu.ca | INTJ spoken here. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 16 Jun 1994 23:46:42 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: scimatec5@UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU Organization: University of Toledo Subject: Bucky balls In all the articles I've come across on bucky balls, I've never seen anything on the upper limit of stability of a buckminsterfullerene in relation to its teperature. Does anyone have this information, or know where to get it? Steve Mather ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 17 Jun 1994 20:45:30 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kirby Urner Subject: Re: Bucky balls >In all the articles I've come across on bucky balls, >I've never seen anything on the upper limit of stability >of a buckminsterfullerene in relation to its teperature. >Does anyone have this information, or know where to get >it? > Steve Mather > Hmmmm, we know they form in laser blasts and candle flames. Playing the film in reverse... But the heat of formation need not be the heat of decimation I suppose: once formed, they could be extra durable. I know they don't fly apart even when shot like speeding bullets against hard surfaces. Really very stable little guys -- C60 that is, some of the others have less of a life span. Sorry this isn't the hard data you're looking for. I have a small mountain of fullerene stuff I picked up at the fullerenes conference in Santa Barbara. Next time I'm kicking back in the basement (I have an old desk down there with some of my books), maybe I'll peruse my sources. ------------------------------------------------ Kirby T. Urner pdx4d@teleport.com 4D Solutions (teleport.com is a public access node) Portland, Oregon ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 18 Jun 1994 03:11:29 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: scimatec5@UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU Organization: University of Toledo Subject: Re: Bucky balls In article <1994Jun16.184642.1@uoft02.utoledo.edu>, scimatec5@uoft02.utoledo.edu writes: > > In all the articles I've come across on bucky balls, > I've never seen anything on the upper limit of stability > of a buckminsterfullerene in relation to its temperature. > Does anyone have this information, or know where to get > it. I found the answer to my own question (the book that had it was checked out for about 6 months... and I kept trying to get it.) C60 and C70 sublime considerably between 750 and 850C. They oxidize at 550 to 650C. Larger fullerenes with more graphitic properties sublime and oxidize at higher temperatures. Further reading on fullerenes (although not the most recent) can be found in _Fullerenes_, ed. George S. Hammond and Valerie J. Kuck, pub. American Chemical Society, 1992 and _Buckminsterfullerenes_, ed. W. Edward Billups and Marco A. Cuifolini. Steve Mather ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 18 Jun 1994 12:08:32 -0500 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "Robert L. Read" Organization: CS Dept, University of Texas at Austin Subject: greetings, Fulleresque gazebo Hi. I am very happy to see a forum for Fuller's philosophy, I hope that is really the charter of the group. Is there an FAQ yet? I'll start one if there isn't. ------------------------------------------------------ A FULLERESQUE PROJECT I'm currently building a gazebo for a friend that uses some slightly Fulleresque design. The deck is a raised octet truss that is a 3 frequency hexagon on the top surface (I call it a snowflake) and a truncated 4 frequency triangle on the bottom. The gazebo itself is not "geodesic" in the sense of using great circles -- but it is omnitriangulated, with non-vertical posts and walls (though the walls are really open) canted out so that the nodal points are pretty close to being on a sphere. I've analyzed the thing with FElt, a freeware program for structural analysis, and it looks to be super strong if I use 4x4s for the vertical supports, 2x6s in the roof, and 2x4s for the octet truss. The octet truss will be put together by notching 2x4s with a wood chisel. The supports between the two planes of the octet truss will be 2x4s cut to fit in the junctions of the 2x4s in the upper and lower snowflake. The length of every member in the truss is 8ft/3 = 32 inches. (This is larger than most gazebos, since the future owner wants 6 people to be able to sleep in it on nice nights.) I am still working on the microdesign of the joints so that I can conveniently use good hanging hardware. It is certainly true that building things out of funny angles takes more work than the standard, non-rigid way of building things. But at present, it looks very doable, although it will require more labor than a more typical structure. One advantage, however, is that the structure is rigid enough that it can be moved or tumped over on its side without damage. Also, rather than having to pour a concrete slab, or a concrete footing, we can just rest the thing on 3 big rocks. Don't try doing that with a standard joist-style floor! At present it is $500 dollars more expensive than pouring a concrete slab (~ $2000 vs. ~$1500 labor cost not counted). In the future, if this one seems successful, we could probably reduce the amount of wood used in the truss, lowering cost a lot. -- Robert L. Read, Member of the League for Programming Freedom ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 19 Jun 1994 15:05:55 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Chris Fearnley Organization: Critical Path Project Subject: Re: greetings, Fulleresque gazebo In article <2tv9mg$e87@peaches.cs.utexas.edu> read@cs.utexas.edu (Robert L. Read) writes: > >Hi. I am very happy to see a forum for Fuller's philosophy, >I hope that is really the charter of the group. > >Is there an FAQ yet? I'll start one if there isn't. > Yes, there is a FAQ, you can get it from the GEODESIC archives. Send mail to listserv@ubvm (perhaps ubvm.bitnet or listserv%ubvm.bitnet@MITVMA.MIT.EDU if your site doesn't have a "smart" names mechanism). Ask it (in a one line message) to GET GEODESIC LOG9406. Although that log will not be complete to the end of the month, the FAQ should already be there - I posted it on the 12th. Do Enjoy! >-- >Robert L. Read, Member of the League for Programming Freedom > -- Christopher J. Fearnley UNIX SIG Leader at PACS cfearnl@cpp.pha.pa.us (Philadelphia Area Computer Society) cfearnl@pacs.pha.pa.us Design Science Revolutionary fearnlcj@duvm.ocs.drexel.edu Explorer in Universe ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 19 Jun 1994 16:00:20 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kirby Urner Subject: Re: Bucky balls >C60 and C70 sublime considerably between 750 and 850C. >They oxidize at 550 to 650C. > >Larger fullerenes with more graphitic properties sublime >and oxidize at higher temperatures.... > > Steve Mather I'm surprised there's a direct correlation between size and oxidation temp. Fullerenes do not progress from less to more stable incrementally as they get larger. C60 is the most stable I believe. I need to review my chemistry here since I'd assume that the less stable fullerenes would break apart at lower (still high) temperatures. May "with more graphitic properties" is to say "more able to withstand high heat" and other larger fullerenes DO crack up at lower temps, and therefore do not display "graphitic properties"? ------------------------------------------------ Kirby T. Urner pdx4d@teleport.com 4D Solutions (teleport.com is a public access node) Portland, Oregon ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 19 Jun 1994 21:00:47 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "" Subject: Re: greetings, Fulleresque gazebo That sounds like an interesting project; good luck on it. I just have one comment and one (off the topic) question. The comment is, your 2x4 struts will probably take the loading, and you've probably thought about this, but be sure to consider the concentration of forces at each footing (over each of the three rocks you referred to) when designing the joints at these areas. The question is, what is 'FElt', and what does it run on and do for you? Mitch C. Amiano amiano@delphi.com ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jun 1994 02:21:29 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Jim Bowery Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest) Subject: Earthquake-Proof I recall seeing a drawing of an earthquake proof building designed by RBF which relied on a strong central column to provide suspension (tension) from the top rather than compression from below. All compression was centered on the column which had struts supported at the top from which various strong cables were hung. Now a couple of things occur to me: 1) Spectra is a relatively new material that would make a very economical and exceptionally strong cabling system which could be constructed more as a redundant web for greater overall stability and reliability than if steel cables were used. 2) Some of the larger "old growth" trees that are currently being cut down for lumber would make good central members right where they stand -- and in an environment that was relatively attractive in many ways given the ruralization of America that is going on (flight from the urban areas via telecommuting etc.). Why go to the trouble of cutting a redwood stand down, cutting it up into lumber, shipping it elsewhere and rebuilding it into a structure when it is stronger and more desirable right there in the heart of earthquake country? Idle thoughts on a Sunday afternoon after visiting the redwoods. -- The promotion of politics exterminates apolitical genes in the population. The promotion of frontiers gives apolitical genes a route to survival. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jun 1994 02:55:59 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: scimatec5@UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU Organization: University of Toledo Subject: Re: Bucky balls In article <199406180346.UAA29986@teleport.com>, Kirby Urner writes: >>In all the articles I've come across on bucky balls, >>I've never seen anything on the upper limit of stability >>of a buckminsterfullerene in relation to its teperature. >>Does anyone have this information, or know where to get >>it? >> Steve Mather >> > > Hmmmm, we know they form in laser blasts and candle flames. > Playing the film in reverse... But the heat of formation need > not be the heat of decimation I suppose: once formed, they > could be extra durable. I know they don't fly apart even > when shot like speeding bullets against hard surfaces. > Really very stable little guys -- C60 that is, some of the > others have less of a life span. I'm sorry, I should have been more clear. I was refering to the stablility of the crystal rather than the individual molecules. C60 molecules are certainly the most stable, though, I guess their crystals are not. And ya, they've tried to smash C60 into a hydrogen terminated diamond surface, and only at extremely high speeds do they fall apart. Otherwise they just distort temperarily, much like a baseball hit by a bat, and bounce off "unhurt." > Sorry this isn't the hard data you're looking for. I have > a small mountain of fullerene stuff I picked up at the > fullerenes conference in Santa Barbara. Next time I'm > kicking back in the basement (I have an old desk down there > with some of my books), maybe I'll peruse my sources. Hell, most of the "hard data" I've found is in some other language vaguely resembling English. But if you're a good translater.... =) Steve Mather ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jun 1994 03:01:39 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: scimatec5@UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU Organization: University of Toledo Subject: Re: Bucky balls In article <199406192300.QAA13481@teleport.com>, Kirby Urner writes: >>C60 and C70 sublime considerably between 750 and 850C. >>They oxidize at 550 to 650C. >> >>Larger fullerenes with more graphitic properties sublime >>and oxidize at higher temperatures.... >> >> Steve Mather > > I'm surprised there's a direct correlation between size > and oxidation temp. My mistake, larger fullerenes oxidize more easily. > Fullerenes do not progress from > less to more stable incrementally as they get larger. > C60 is the most stable I believe. I need to review > my chemistry here since I'd assume that the less stable > fullerenes would break apart at lower (still high) > temperatures. May "with more graphitic properties" is > to say "more able to withstand high heat" and other > larger fullerenes DO crack up at lower temps, and therefore > do not display "graphitic properties"? Again, my post was misleading. Read my other. Steve Mather ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jun 1994 11:33:35 -0500 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "Robert L. Read" Organization: CS Dept, University of Texas at Austin Subject: Re: greetings, Fulleresque gazebo In article <01HDQNNQ35C28X1OCN@delphi.com>, wrote: >That sounds like an interesting project; good luck on it. >I just have one comment and one (off the topic) question. >The comment is, your 2x4 struts will probably take the loading, and >you've probably thought about this, but be sure to consider the concentration >of forces at each footing (over each of the three rocks you referred to) >when designing the joints at these areas. >The question is, what is 'FElt', and what does it run on and do for you? > >Mitch C. Amiano >amiano@delphi.com 'FElt' is a structural analysis program that is freely available under the GNU Public License (GPL). It is written and maintained by Jason Gobat (jgobat@ucsd.edu) and Darren Atkinson (atkinson@ucsd.edu). It allows you to input a geometry of a structure, assign material types to various components, add on continuous forces like roof loads and specific forces like a 10,000 pound weight at a certain point, and then compute the forces in each member. It can handle lots of stuff (hence "Finite Element") but of particular interest to fans of Fuller is that it easily handles "tensegrity" structures, where a tensegrity structures is one in which force is transmitted only axially along members (cables or struts). So, for instance, I code up my gazebo, estimate that at most 20 300 lb people (a football team) would ever stand in it, and that they might do that during a rainstorm (10 lbs per square foot horizontally on the roof area) and FElt tells me that at the 2x4s right next to the footing the forces is 4 mega Pascals, or whatever. I then look up in the "Timber Construction Maunal" that white pine can withstand 6 MPa in compression and more than that in tension (or whatever), so I draw the conclusion the thing will stand up. If, that is, the connections to the other members can also withstand 4 MPa, as you very pertinently point out, and which is not analyzed by FElt. (I'm guessing that's what you me by "concentration of forces".) -- Robert L. Read, Member of the League for Programming Freedom ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jun 1994 21:10:03 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Lee Wood Subject: Re: discussion of Buckminster Fuller hi folks, I'm re-sending this because of technical difficulties. Sorry if you've already seen it. RE: > This list is for the discussion of Buckminster "Bucky" Fuller, > his works and his philosophies on Life, the Universe, and Everything... Would you pls tell me how to subscribe to this list. If there are sub-lists, I'm particularly interested in the "philosophies" part. thnx. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Lee Wood | Lee_Wood@sfu.ca | INTJ spoken here. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jun 1994 08:50:00 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "H. Jeffrey Rosen" Subject: Re: Bucky balls >Larger fullerenes with more graphitic properties sublime >and oxidize at higher temperatures.... May "with more graphitic properties" is to say "more able to withstand high heat" and other larger fullerenes DO crack up at lower temps, and therefore do not display "graphitic properties"? I suspect that the size/stability question relates to fullerene molecular bonding frequencies and associated thermal coefficients. Higher frequency bonds would absorb more thermal energy, and conduct heat more efficiently than low frequency bonds. In carbon as in all conductors, there would be a corresponding rise in thermionic emission, which could also affect molecular stability. *** Jeff Rosen, Conprehensive Anticipatory Design Scientist *** HJ.ROSEN@SRS.GOV ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jun 1994 09:05:00 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "H. Jeffrey Rosen" Subject: Re: Earthquake-Proof 2) Some of the larger "old growth" trees that are currently being cut down for lumber would make good central members right where they stand -- and in an environment that was relatively attractive in many ways given the ruralization of America that is going on (flight from the urban areas via telecommuting etc.). Why go to the trouble of cutting a redwood stand down, cutting it up into lumber, shipping it elsewhere and rebuilding it into a structure when it is stronger and more desirable right there in the heart of earthquake country? Designer's intuition: Old growth trees are more likely to get hit/have been hit by lightning than new growth. Isn't a non-conducting tension mast preferrable? HJ.ROSEN@SRS.GOV ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jun 1994 18:26:51 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: scimatec5@UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU Organization: University of Toledo Subject: Re: Earthquake-Proof In article <01HDSRO4XWWC008IPT@mr.srs.gov>, "H. Jeffrey Rosen" writes: >> 2) Some of the larger "old growth" trees that are currently >> being cut down for lumber would make good central members >> right where they stand -- and in an environment that was >> relatively attractive in many ways given the ruralization of >> America that is going on (flight from the urban areas via >> telecommuting etc.). Why go to the trouble of cutting a redwood >> stand down, cutting it up into lumber, shipping it elsewhere and >> rebuilding it into a structure when it is stronger and more desirable >> right there in the heart of earthquake country? > Designer's intuition: Old growth trees are more likely to get > hit/have been hit by lightning than new growth. Isn't a non- > conducting tension mast preferrable? Is that due to height or change in chemical composition (the second seems doubtful.) It is an interesting idea. The tree could even be kept alive. The structure moving out and down from tree could be used as a "lightning rod," or perhaps a conventional one could be rigged going directly down. Structures could be built around the trees (non- supportive trees going right through the structure, A forest inside of a dome, or whatever.) Then again, we could just leave the old-growth be. There are other materials we can use for building, And other place we can live (though the second is less critical.) Steve Mather ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jun 1994 18:43:26 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: scimatec5@UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU Organization: University of Toledo Subject: Re: Bucky balls In article <01HDSRLK461K008IPT@mr.srs.gov>, "H. Jeffrey Rosen" writes: >>>Larger fullerenes with more graphitic properties sublime >>>and oxidize at higher temperatures.... >> May "with more graphitic properties" is >> to say "more able to withstand high heat" and other >> larger fullerenes DO crack up at lower temps, and therefore >> do not display "graphitic properties"? > I suspect that the size/stability question relates to fullerene > molecular bonding frequencies and associated thermal coefficients. > Higher frequency bonds would absorb more thermal energy, and conduct heat > more efficiently than low frequency bonds. In carbon as in all conductors, > there would be a corresponding rise in thermionic emission, which could also > affect molecular stability. I lost you there.... Perhaps I should explain (and correct) what I said earlier. The larger fullerenes are more graphitic in that they have larger areas (20 of them) that are graphitic in properties (i.e. hexagon sheets.) They are harder (sometimes impossible) to dissolve in aromatic solvents and their CRYSTAL structure is more difficult to to break apart. The individual molecules, however are less stable the larger they get. As such, they sublime (whole molecules) at a higher temperature, but oxidize at lower temperatures than smaller fullerenes (such as C60 and C70-- a correction from my earier statement.) By sublime, I don't mean that the molecules break apart into their component atoms, those atoms forming a gas, but rather the molecules break away from the crystal and form a gas. In fact, one way to purify fullerenes, to get just the fullerenes one needs, is heating them up to 700 C, which breaks up the crystal, and collecting the cooled soot from particular spots where it cools. Different fullerenes travel different distances. I hope I've been more clear (and haven't made any further mistakes =) Steve Mather ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jun 1994 18:49:22 -0600 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kurt Bendl Subject: Re: Earthquake-Proof >In article <01HDSRO4XWWC008IPT@mr.srs.gov>, > "H. Jeffrey Rosen" writes: >>> 2) Some of the larger "old growth" trees that are currently >>> being cut down for lumber would make good central members >>> right where they stand -- and in an environment that was >>> relatively attractive in many ways given the ruralization of >>> America that is going on... [snip] >Then again, we could just leave the old-growth be. >There are other materials we can use for building, >And other place we can live (though the second is >less critical.) > Steve Mather > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hmm... other materials... interesting idea. What other materials have people used to build a dome's superstructure beside wood? Most (all) homes I've seen are made of wood. Might there be any advantage/ disadvantage to aluminum or steel? ____________________________________________________ Kurt Bendl kurt@kassad.cobb.ziff.com ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jun 1994 23:35:26 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Sandy Cohn Subject: Re: Bucky balls In-Reply-To: Message of Tue, 21 Jun 1994 18:43:26 +0000 (GMT) from On Tue, 21 Jun 1994 18:43:26 +0000 (GMT) said: >The larger fullerenes are more graphitic in >that they have larger areas (20 of them) that >are graphitic in properties (i.e. hexagon >sheets.) They are harder (sometimes impossible) >to dissolve in aromatic solvents and their >CRYSTAL structure is more difficult to to >break apart. The individual molecules, however >are less stable the larger they get. > >As such, they sublime (whole molecules) at a >higher temperature, but oxidize at lower >temperatures than smaller fullerenes (such as >C60 and C70-- a correction from my earier >statement.) If the individual molecules are less stable the larger they get, why would they be likely to sublime at higher temperatures but oxidize at lower temperatures, rather than sublime and oxidize at lower temperatures? > >By sublime, I don't mean that the molecules >break apart into their component atoms, those >atoms forming a gas, but rather the molecules >break away from the crystal and form a gas. > >In fact, one way to purify fullerenes, to get >just the fullerenes one needs, is heating them >up to 700 C, which breaks up the crystal, and >collecting the cooled soot from particular >spots where it cools. Different fullerenes >travel different distances. > >I hope I've been more clear (and haven't made >any further mistakes =) > Steve Mather Sanford J. Cohn, Ph.D. Special Education Arizona State University Mail Code = 2011 965-1448, FAX 965-0223 ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 22 Jun 1994 10:52:00 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "H. Jeffrey Rosen" Subject: Re: Earthquake-Proof What other materials have people used to build a dome's superstructure beside wood? Most (all) homes I've seen are made of wood. Might there be any advantage/ disadvantage to aluminum or steel? ____________________________________________________ Kurt Bendl kurt@kassad.cobb.ziff.com The tree discussion focused on the compression member of what we can call a Dymaxion structure, not necessarily a dome. However, a classic example of non-wood dome superstructure would be the U.S. Pavillion at Canada's Expo67 in Montreal. I believe steel was used for that dome's huge skeleton. HJ.ROSEN@SRS.GOV ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 23 Jun 1994 03:11:12 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: scimatec5@UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU Organization: University of Toledo Subject: Re: Earthquake-Proof In article <01HDU9UDHZIS0027JD@mr.srs.gov>, "H. Jeffrey Rosen" writes: > What other materials have people used to build a > dome's superstructure beside wood? Most (all) homes > I've seen are made of wood. Might there be any advantage/ > disadvantage to aluminum or steel? > Steel and aluminum are reusable to a greater extent than wood (even if the structural components are fatigued, damaged, or corroded they can be recycled.) > The tree discussion focused on the compression member of what we can call > a Dymaxion structure, not necessarily a dome. However, a classic example > of non-wood dome superstructure would be the U.S. Pavillion at Canada's > Expo67 in Montreal. I believe steel was used for that dome's huge skeleton. Like the dynamaxion house, though stablizing a post of large size is often an engineering problem (nature doesn't seem to have a real problem that way though.) Steve Mather ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 23 Jun 1994 01:35:43 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kirby Urner Subject: Re: Earthquake-Proof >> The tree discussion focused on the compression member of what we can call >> a Dymaxion structure, not necessarily a dome. However, a classic example >> of non-wood dome superstructure would be the U.S. Pavillion at Canada's >> Expo67 in Montreal. I believe steel was used for that dome's huge skeleton. > >Like the dynamaxion house, though stablizing >a post of large size is often an engineering problem >(nature doesn't seem to have a real problem that >way though.) > > Steve Mather > Relevant to this discussion of building materials: the Oregonian (paper) headline in the biz section yesterday was about how the big timber companies around here are branching out to sell *steel* home-building components i.e. steel beams and frames in place of (often more expensive) wooden ones. I think Fuller once schemed a bamboo dome where the bent poles were *living*. Card board (water proofed somehow) and of course fiberglass were other building materials of choice. Using the airplane's fuselage as the paradigm (sturdy in hurricane level winds, light weight) was the central theme of Bucky's housing -- including the application of mass-production techniques. The wooden dome homes available today are first approximations, but are not the final vision. To the airplane metaphor for a dwelling machine, I add the computer. The idea of buying a skeleton model and then filling it out its "expansion slots" with options, customizing your home to match your tastes, climate and profession, is where the big aftermarket of catalog goodies comes in. I suppose cars would be the more obvious metaphor, but I like the computer image better because I think what goes into these homes as add-ons will very often be electronic gizmos of various kinds. The last aspect of Fullerian livingry we should keep in mind is the high degree of energy autonomy he envisioned for them. Here, the space program, with its focus on sustaining human life for extended periods in a airless, subzero vacuum of space was a model. Some models of home will be for true wilderness occupancy, with only satellite access to the internet and nearest humans outside the immediate village being over the horizon. ------------------------------------------------ Kirby T. Urner pdx4d@teleport.com 4D Solutions (teleport.com is a public access node) Portland, Oregon ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 22 Jun 1994 21:52:54 -0500 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Jeff Weiner Organization: Fido:I CAN! BBS * (ican.com) * 312-736-7388 (1:115/738) Subject: Re: Earthquake-Proof "JR> The tree discussion focused on the compression member of what we can call "JR> a Dymaxion structure, not necessarily a dome. However, a classic example "JR> of non-wood dome superstructure would be the U.S. Pavillion at Canada's "JR> Expo67 in Montreal. I believe steel was used for that "JR> dome's huge skeleton. "JR> HJ.ROSEN@SRS.GOV Actually, it was made of aluminum extrusions. Jeff Weiner jeff@ican.com ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 23 Jun 1994 19:26:17 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Jim Bowery Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest) Subject: Re: Earthquake-Proof "H. Jeffrey Rosen" writes: > Designer's intuition: Old growth trees are more likely to get hit/have been hit > by lightning than new growth. Isn't a non-conducting tension mast preferrable? Lightning rods are the traditional solution to this sort of problem. -- The promotion of politics exterminates apolitical genes in the population. The promotion of frontiers gives apolitical genes a route to survival. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 23 Jun 1994 19:26:23 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Jim Bowery Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest) Subject: Re: Earthquake-Proof scimatec5@uoft02.utoledo.edu writes: > It is an interesting idea. The tree could even be > kept alive. Yes and I would think a living tree would add more value to the living space than dead wood. > The structure moving out and down from > tree could be used as a "lightning rod," or perhaps > a conventional one could be rigged going directly down. I think the latter would work out the best. > Structures could be built around the trees (non- > supportive trees going right through the structure, > A forest inside of a dome, or whatever.) If you ever go through a redwood forest, you'll notice there are "clumps" or small rings of redwoods that sometimes grow up around the stump of an older one that has disappeared. These small rings (not always complete) are about 10 to 15 feet in diameter and the trunks are baren of greenery or branches for quite some height. It seems that such clumps would provide a nice central spiral staircase for access to the various levels as well as providing a redundant support system for the hanging tension web of spectra. > Then again, we could just leave the old-growth be. > There are other materials we can use for building, > And other place we can live (though the second is > less critical.) I used to be very enamored of Palo Solari's ideas as an option to ruralization. I think Solari's ideas have a place but practical social and political limitations of our present day cultures make it unlikely that the ruralization phenomenon will be displaced by high intensity urbanization along the lines of Solari anytime soon. Furthermore, as ruralization takes place, it is most likely to impact the ecosystems nearest to the urban centers most affected. The redwoods of northern California -- particularly those surrounding the SF bay area -- are in potential danger from this ruralization. It is a lot easier and more effective to provide economical options for people which will guide them to be less destructive than it is to legislate and enforce behavior that goes against social and economic tides. Having said that, I'll agree that looking for technical options outside the redwood habitats is worth pursuing, but one must do so with the actual social, economic and political trends in mind. -- The promotion of politics exterminates apolitical genes in the population. The promotion of frontiers gives apolitical genes a route to survival. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 23 Jun 1994 15:57:37 -0500 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: mwitten@CHPC.UTEXAS.EDU Subject: URGENT Please let me apologize to the list for this message. I have tried every conceivable method to signoff this list and nothing has happened. I am about to leave this email address. Unless the list wishes to receive numerous bounced messages, I suggest that someone out there pay attention and get me off this list. Sorry .... no flames please. matthew -- _____________________________________________________________________ Matthew Witten UT System Center For High Performance Computing Balcones Research Center, 1.154 CMS 10100 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78758-4497 USA Phone: (512) 471-2472 FAX: (512) 471-2445 E-MAIL MWITTEN@CHPC.UTEXAS.EDU _____________________________________________________________________ ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 23 Jun 1994 15:02:17 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kirby Urner Subject: Re: URGENT >Please let me apologize to the list for this message. >I have tried every conceivable method to signoff this list >and nothing has happened. I am about to leave this email >address. Unless the list wishes to receive numerous bounced >messages, I suggest that someone out there pay attention and >get me off this list. Sorry .... no flames please. > > >matthew > Sorry it's been so tough Matthew. If you've sent UNJOIN GEODESIC to LISTSERV@GEODESIC@UBVM.CC.BUFFALO.EDU then you have done all you can. I don't think anyone is maintaining this list, and if they are, they're doing a lousy job. I get at least 2 email bounces for every post. Yours may become the third. You've done what you can, no hard feelings. ------------------------------------------------ Kirby T. Urner pdx4d@teleport.com 4D Solutions (teleport.com is a public access node) Portland, Oregon ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 24 Jun 1994 10:33:15 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Lee Wood Subject: on going projects? howdy Buckeroos! My thanks to the kind folks who responded to my query about getting signed onto this list. The reason you haven't seen any posts from me yet is because I really just wanted the address of the Buckminster Fuller Institute, which I've now located in the archives. But I may as well ask you all the same question I'm sending the BFI. "Do you have any Bucky-esque projects on the go?" i.e. something that you've been planning or building either jointly or individually? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Lee Wood | Lee_Wood@sfu.ca | INTJ spoken here. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 24 Jun 1994 12:52:44 -0600 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Randy Cox Subject: books Does anywhere know where I can buy a copy of Anthony Pugh's books: " Polyhedra: a Visual Approach" and "Tensegrity"? I called the publisher, U of CA Press, and they aren't in print anymore, and consequently, they don't appear in "Books In Print", so bookstores can't order them. I can check them out of the local University Library, but can't find copies to purchase. ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 26 Jun 1994 18:59:36 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: TimAmmons Organization: Concentric Research Corporation Subject: Re: Arthur Clarke address -=> Quoting Wrgoodii@aol.com to All <=- Wr> Does anyone know how to contact Arthur Clarke? If you realy need to contact him you can probably get in touch with him via his publisher. He lives in Sri Lanka. I'm sure if his E-mail address were made public he would be flooded with fan mail! ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12 ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 26 Jun 1994 20:50:49 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "" Subject: Developing an operational pi Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "Robert L. Read" Organization: CS Dept, University of Texas at Austin Subject: Re: Developing an operational pi Somebody wrote: From the formula for regular polygons in _CRC Standarad Mathematical Tables_, Edition #27, page 122, the inner radius of a regular polygon (the radius of the inscribed circle) is (r = 1/2 * s * cot(180/n)), where cot is cotangent, n is the number of sides, and s is the length of the chord on the outside edge. The radius of the circumscribed circle is (R = 1/2 * s * csc(180/n)), where csc is cosecant. Since the circumference of the n-gon is (n * s), we can write the ratio of circumference to "average radius" (if you mean by that, as you apparently do, the average of the maximum and minimum, which is not obviously the same as what you would get by calculating the average over an infinite number of rays via calculus, but it might be) as: n * s / ((r + R) / 2 , which by algebra is equal to 2 * n * s / (r + R) , which by substituting the above formulae is, 2 * n * s / (1/2 * s * cot(180/n) + 1/2 * s * csc(180/n), and so the s's can be crossed out of the top and bottom and we get: 2 * n / ( 0.5 * cot(180/n) + 0.5 * csc(180/n)), which is a function only of n, which is what we desire, and can be cleaned up to: 4*n / (cot(180/n) + csc(180/n)) which, since cot and csc are kind of a pain we can replace with sin and cos via identities that we should all remember but happily can be found on page 135 (cot x = cos(x) / sin(x) and csc(x) = 1/sin(x)). Then with a little more algebra we get the easy-to-use-if-you-have -a-calculator formula: circumference / av. radius (n) = (4 * n * sin (180 / n) / (1 + cos(180/n)) And, BTW, it works, I checked it at a few values. Somebody continues: As an example: for a hexavertexion (hexagon) with an outer radius of 1, there are six equivalent triangles which happen to be equilateral; the outer edge also has a length of 1. The frequency of subdivision is 6 (the number of outer edges). The average diameter is 1+sqrt(3)/2. The approximation of pi for this case is 6/[1+sqrt(3)/2] = 3.2154... which itself is irrational, but at least it seems to have some relationship to the polyhedron. The problem is that I seem to be missing a way to generalize this to any frequency of subdivision (n). It seems that if it could be generalized into some function f(n), pi could be defined as the limit of f(n) as n approaches infinity (and the triangle hieght approaches the circumscribing radius). Rob replies: Ah, well, the formula I calculated doesn't do squat for approximating PI since you have to know PI to compute the sin and cosine functions in the formula (it doesn't look like that, since I have used degrees, but in fact you or your calculator or your table does have to know PI.) I never can remember how to express sin and cos otherwise, I think in this case there is a way to do it that would be more Fulleresque by appealing to the geometry of the triangles in question. Maybe someone else can figure out the above formula with no transcendentals or PI, and have a solution worthy of "Synergetics" "poor man's physics". Somebody writes: I have to go on to other work, so I thought I'd open up the idea to this list. If I have gone too mathematical, forgive me! Rob replies: One can't be too mathematical -- although one can be too pompous and too complicated. (FYI, this is *not* a feeble attempt to get netters to do my homework. This is strictly a matter of curiosity.) -- Robert L. Read, Member of the League for Programming Freedom ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 27 Jun 1994 02:30:06 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Domecile Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Re: Computer Graphics / Mathematics In article , Chris Fearnley writes: Chris, Parts of your message were not clear to me. I have been using a Macintosh with THINK C to develop software for builders to construct geodesic dome interiors for Enchanted West, Inc. and I a very happy camper. Enchanted West has a patent pending on precision molded fiberglass panels which bolt together needing no superstructure. Spraying urethane insulation to the exterior and finishing with an elastomeric stucco, sprayed concrete, or shingles complete the exterior. Will s-mail information to anyone interested. Also, the Macs I used at the university that connect to the Internet let you cruise the Internet like you were racing a Ferrari. Much more versatile than their IBM counterparts. I could simultaneously ftp, use Mosaic, telnet, and gopher. Matt and Diana ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 27 Jun 1994 04:46:02 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Chris Fearnley Organization: Critical Path Project Subject: Re: on going projects? In article <199406241733.KAA23469@whistler.sfu.ca> Lee Wood writes: >howdy Buckeroos! > [Stuff deleted] >But I may as well ask you all the same question I'm >sending the BFI. "Do you have any Bucky-esque projects on the go?" >i.e. something that you've been planning or building >either jointly or individually? Of course there are many projects - big and small underway here. Some of us are planning domes or even dome houses. I'm working on converting the FAQ to SGML, so I can produce LaTeX, postscript, groff, html and of course ASCII versions. Also numerous other little things which may or may not amount to anything as my commitment is less certain. One thing we talked about recently is getting a computer graphics program project going that will attend to the particular needs of synergetics modellers. I personally am reviewing all the currently (freely) available packages that will run on my Linux workstation. I know of several other nascent projects which I (or others) might point you towards - if you feel you might be able to contribute. In line with Fuller's motto that one shouldn't blabber about incomplete work, few of us are willing to discuss our "little" ideas prematurely. [Not that we don't BS and philosophize from time-to-time :) ] >=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >Lee Wood | >Lee_Wood@sfu.ca | INTJ spoken here. >=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -- Christopher J. Fearnley UNIX SIG Leader at PACS cfearnl@cpp.pha.pa.us (Philadelphia Area Computer Society) cfearnl@pacs.pha.pa.us Design Science Revolutionary fearnlcj@duvm.ocs.drexel.edu Explorer in Universe ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 27 Jun 1994 04:48:45 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Chris Fearnley Organization: Critical Path Project Subject: Re: books In article <199406241252446034@pobox.tbe.com> Randy Cox writes: >Does anywhere know where I can buy a copy of Anthony Pugh's books: " >Polyhedra: a Visual Approach" and "Tensegrity"? I called the publisher, U of >CA Press, and they aren't in print anymore, and consequently, they don't >appear in "Books In Print", so bookstores can't order them. I can check them >out of the local University Library, but can't find copies to purchase. Many used bookstores offer a service for finding out-of-print books. I know of at least one person who has found most of the rare Fuller tresures that way. Good luck and if you find several copies, let us know! -- Christopher J. Fearnley UNIX SIG Leader at PACS cfearnl@cpp.pha.pa.us (Philadelphia Area Computer Society) cfearnl@pacs.pha.pa.us Design Science Revolutionary fearnlcj@duvm.ocs.drexel.edu Explorer in Universe ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 28 Jun 1994 09:21:51 -0500 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kiyoshi Kuromiya Subject: Re: on going projects? X-cc: rich@cpp.pha.pa.us In-Reply-To: from "Lee Wood" at Jun 24, 94 10:33:15 am Lee-- Critical Path Project sponsors a Fuller Information Xchange (FIX BBS) out of Philadelphia. We have been operating for two years at (215) 463-7160. We provide a forum for individuals who are implementing the ideas and philosophy of Bucky Fuller in their own work in a wide range of fields. We also make available a number of RBF databases, including Richard Smalley's interactive Bibliography on Fullerenes. The idea of the board is to network individuals and groups who are interested in Fuller's ideas and work. We have 5 phone lines (soon to be 8 phone lines) and 2.6 gigabytes of hard disk storage. Later this year we will be a free public access Internet hub. In the meantime, we have provided for over a year, access to Internet e-mail and Usenet newsgroups. We use 14,400 baud modems and Magpie software and we are currently upgrading our user interface. Although we have no direct connection with Buckminster Fuller Institute, which has recently moved from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, we are in contact with them. Because of the move and a scaled down staff, they are not actively engaged in any new projects beyond settling into their new location. --Kiyoshi Kuromiya Critical Path Project kiyoshi@cpp.pha.pa.us ***Quoted message from Lee Wood (Lee_Wood@sfu.ca) begins here.*** > > My thanks to the kind folks who responded to my query about > getting signed onto this list. > > The reason you haven't seen any posts from me yet > is because I really just wanted the address of the > Buckminster Fuller Institute, which I've now located > in the archives. > > But I may as well ask you all the same question I'm > sending the BFI. "Do you have any Bucky-esque projects on the go?" > i.e. something that you've been planning or building > either jointly or individually?> ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 28 Jun 1994 07:26:33 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Chris Fearnley Organization: Critical Path Project Subject: Re: Computer Graphics / Mathematics In article <2ulrle$due@search01.news.aol.com> domecile@aol.com (Domecile) writes: >Chris, > >Parts of your message were not clear to me. I have been using a >Macintosh with THINK C to develop software for builders to construct >geodesic dome interiors for Enchanted West, Inc. and I a very happy >camper. Enchanted West has a patent pending on precision molded >fiberglass panels which bolt together needing no superstructure. >Spraying urethane insulation to the exterior and finishing with an >elastomeric stucco, sprayed concrete, or shingles complete the >exterior. Will s-mail information to anyone interested. It is of course possible to do extensive synergetics work on a Mac. Most people seem to be using Mathematica rather than THINK C though. What we do not have is a tool to let us explore synergetics using the tools and concepts Bucky gave us. Instead we are resigned to adapt the programs out there to our purposes - custom jobs. Since you didn't point out where I was unclear in my post, I can't elaborate further. Is THINK C free software? If not, is it cross-platform? If so, is it a powerful way to do computer graphics? I only run free software on my Linux box (which is one reason I don't have a Mac), so I'm curious if you know of something good that I haven't heard about yet. > >Also, the Macs I used at the university that connect to the Internet >let you cruise the Internet like you were racing a Ferrari. Much >more versatile than their IBM counterparts. I could simultaneously >ftp, use Mosaic, telnet, and gopher. Careful there: we all know that DOS and MS Windows 3.1 are limited, but one can run Linux on IBM compatibles - and Linux is very versatile what with its support of XWindows and all. > >Matt and Diana -- Christopher J. Fearnley UNIX SIG Leader at PACS cfearnl@cpp.pha.pa.us (Philadelphia Area Computer Society) cfearnl@pacs.pha.pa.us Design Science Revolutionary fearnlcj@duvm.ocs.drexel.edu Explorer in Universe ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 28 Jun 1994 08:01:59 GMT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Chris Fearnley Organization: Critical Path Project Subject: Re: Developing an operational pi In article <2uln6p$1uq@peaches.cs.utexas.edu> read@cs.utexas.edu (Robert L. Read) writes: >Somebody wrote: > >I am trying to develop a procedure for giving the ratio of the >circumference to the average radius of certain circle-like polyhedrals, as a >function of the number of outer chords on the polynomial edge. The >constraints I have (arbitrarily) placed require that the polyhedron be >formed by a whole number of equivalent triangles placed about a center >point. The triangles have (at least) two identical edge lengths (of unit >length) which are the radii of a circle circumscribing the polyhedron, and >one (outer) edge in common with the formed polyhedral. > >Rob replies: > >From the formula for regular polygons in _CRC Standarad Mathematical Tables_, >Edition #27, page 122, the inner radius of a regular polygon >(the radius of the inscribed circle) is (r = 1/2 * s * cot(180/n)), where >cot is cotangent, n is the number of sides, and s is the length of >the chord on the outside edge. The radius of the circumscribed circle >is (R = 1/2 * s * csc(180/n)), where csc is cosecant. Since the >circumference of the n-gon is (n * s), we can write the ratio >of circumference to "average radius" (if you mean by that, as you >apparently do, the average of the maximum and minimum, which is not >obviously the same as what you would get by calculating the average >over an infinite number of rays via calculus, but it might be) as: > >n * s / ((r + R) / 2 , which by algebra is equal to > >2 * n * s / (r + R) , which by substituting the above formulae is, > [algebra deleted] >circumference / av. radius (n) = (4 * n * sin (180 / n) / (1 + cos(180/n)) > >And, BTW, it works, I checked it at a few values. > >Somebody continues: > >As an example: for a hexavertexion (hexagon) with an outer radius of 1, >there are six equivalent triangles which happen to be equilateral; the outer >edge also has a length of 1. The frequency of subdivision is 6 (the number >of outer edges). The average diameter is 1+sqrt(3)/2. The approximation >of pi for this case is 6/[1+sqrt(3)/2] = 3.2154... which itself is >irrational, but at least it seems to have some relationship to the >polyhedron. > >The problem is that I seem to be missing a way to generalize this to any >frequency of subdivision (n). It seems that if it could be generalized into >some function f(n), pi could be defined as the limit of f(n) as n approaches >infinity (and the triangle hieght approaches the circumscribing radius). Ok, maybe I'm being rash, but you want to approximate pi by taking a limit to infinity? Where is infinity? Is it rational? It seems you want to exorcise one deamon and go to bed with another. Actually once you have a constructive, rational procedure for determining pi (the "grainy" pi not the mathematicians pi), you don't need to take the limit (except to prove that your approximation is valid). After all pi is really just a limit concept anyway - right? > >Rob replies: >Ah, well, the formula I calculated doesn't do squat for approximating >PI since you have to know PI to compute the sin and cosine functions >in the formula (it doesn't look like that, since I have used degrees, >but in fact you or your calculator or your table does have to know PI.) >I never can remember how to express sin and cos otherwise, I think >in this case there is a way to do it that would be more Fulleresque >by appealing to the geometry of the triangles in question. >Maybe someone else can figure out the above formula with no transcendentals >or PI, and have a solution worthy of "Synergetics" "poor man's physics". > Not So!! Sin, cos and company are geometrically, simply the ratio of two edge lengths (rational even). It is not until you want to define the function sin(x) that it becomes transcendental. I think the original trig tables were calculated by interpolation from the simple cases (90, 60, 45, and 30 degrees). Or they could have been. But I'm not sure how good your approximation is. I look forward to the day when we can point to a "granular" pi. Interestingly though - it seems no one is persuing Bucky's scheherazade approximations to pi. Is that because we don't understand Bucky's argument (I don't) or do you think he's ... well, wrong? [closing remarks deleted] > >-- >Robert L. Read, Member of the League for Programming Freedom > -- Christopher J. Fearnley UNIX SIG Leader at PACS cfearnl@cpp.pha.pa.us (Philadelphia Area Computer Society) cfearnl@pacs.pha.pa.us Design Science Revolutionary fearnlcj@duvm.ocs.drexel.edu Explorer in Universe ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 28 Jun 1994 12:57:44 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kirby Urner Subject: Re: Developing an operational pi THESIS FOR DEBATE: Nature is not using PI, nor are humans (part of nature). All computer-based and calculator-based representations of PI are truncated to the number of digits internal storage permits. Even those gazillion digit Cray monsters terminate (and besides, are not used in practice in any calculations). Bucky's argument that nature does not use irrational numbers is pretty straightforward: you have never used an irrational number in your life: all computations with root-of-two, pi, e and so forth are definite, terminated. We call them "approximations" just as we say all lines are "approximations" of perfectly straight ones. Bucky simply starts with what's right in front of us, in our everyday experience, and says "not approximations of anything, this is what simply *is* -- no perfectly straight lines and no ultimate value of PI actually exist or get used for anything in nature." -- Kirby > >Not So!! Sin, cos and company are geometrically, simply the ratio of two edge >lengths (rational even). It is not until you want to define the function >sin(x) that it becomes transcendental. I think the original trig tables were >calculated by interpolation from the simple cases (90, 60, 45, and 30 degrees). >Or they could have been. But I'm not sure how good your approximation is. I >look forward to the day when we can point to a "granular" pi. Interestingly >though - it seems no one is persuing Bucky's scheherazade approximations to pi. >Is that because we don't understand Bucky's argument (I don't) or do you think >he's ... well, wrong? > >-- >Christopher J. Fearnley UNIX SIG Leader at PACS >cfearnl@cpp.pha.pa.us (Philadelphia Area Computer Society) >cfearnl@pacs.pha.pa.us Design Science Revolutionary >fearnlcj@duvm.ocs.drexel.edu Explorer in Universe > > ------------------------------------------------ Kirby T. Urner pdx4d@teleport.com 4D Solutions (teleport.com is a public access node) Portland, Oregon ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 28 Jun 1994 17:50:04 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: JERRYPAT@DELPHI.COM Who's Who ? Have you achieved success in your chosen field or profession ? If you reside in in the United States or Canada you may qualify for a FREE listing in the 94/95 edition of Strathmore's Who's Who. For consideration please fill out the questioare in full. If qualified for publication you will be contacted; any questions that you may have about this offer will be answered at that time. Lastname: First: MI: Current organization/Company: Title: Street Address: city: zip: (not for publication)-Business Phone: ext.: Industry, service or activity: Principal product, service or activity: Personal specialty or expertise: Type of organization-mfg, retailer, research, etc.: Please e-mail or fax to 516-294-8515 Att: Directors office. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 28 Jun 1994 20:55:04 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "" Subject: Re: Developing an operational pi >Somebody wrote: Sorry, in my haste I forgot a signature: amiano@delphi.com ...... >of circumference to "average radius" (if you mean by that, as you >apparently do, the average of the maximum and minimum, which is not >obviously the same as what you would get by calculating the average >over an infinite number of rays via calculus, but it might be) Yes, this is what I meant. (Yeah, dat's dah tickit!) ...... >circumference / av. radius (n) = (4 * n * sin (180 / n) / (1 + cos(180/n)) This is equivalent to my first- or second- pass attempt. ...... >Rob replies: >Ah, well, the formula I calculated doesn't do squat for approximating >PI since you have to know PI to compute the sin and cosine functions >in the formula (it doesn't look like that, since I have used degrees, >but in fact you or your calculator or your table does have to know PI.) 360 degrees == 2pi; this is why I wasn't satisfied with resorting to functions depending on trig function values. I guess, since my first post got mashed into the bit-bucket, I must've forgotten to mention this criterion. >I never can remember how to express sin and cos otherwise, I think >in this case there is a way to do it that would be more Fulleresque >by appealing to the geometry of the triangles in question. >Maybe someone else can figure out the above formula with no transcendentals >or PI, and have a solution worthy of "Synergetics" "poor man's physics". The casting about I did makes me wonder if there isn't really a series of families of more-or-less independant 'pi-like' ratios for regular polygons. That is, if there is no rational relationship between pi~=C/D for an arbitrary frequency 'n', perhaps there is some relationship between polygons where 'n' is a multiple of a given prime number; possibly the ratio can be rationalized within this limited set of polygons by taki - in a way simil ar to that Fuller used to rationalize tetrahedral/octahedral compositions. > > >Somebody writes: >I have to go on to other work, so I though>One can't be too mathematical -- alt hough one can be too pompous and >too complicated. Godel's theorum indicates, however, that it is not possible to prove that any one enevent is the most complicated enevent possible. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mitch C. Amiano "You're ruuuuude!" amiano@delphi.com -- A co-worker, smiley implied. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 14:44:37 -0500 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "Robert L. Read" Organization: CS Dept, University of Texas at Austin Subject: Scalable precision construction and graphics (THESIS FOR DEBATE) I agree with Kirby Urner. However, his "THESIS FOR DEBATE" seems to raise in my mind several other issues. Given that there is no infinite precision in practice and in Universe, we must decide what precision to use. The most common approach is to just use however many digits our calculator gives us, which is usually too many, and get a bigger calculator if its not enough. Generally, the precision we need is determined by the size of our bolt-holes and the elasticity of the materials we're working with. For any working environment we could define a necessary precision (higher for steel than wood, higher for wood than plastic) and develop tables of fundamentals values, such as the ratio of circumference to diameter for an n-gon, expressed as fractions in simplest form that would be accurate enough for that application. (The decimal expansion could be used, but often we would find much simpler fractions that are accurate enough.) This would have a certain pleasing simplicity, but, on the other hand, it has no really obvious advantage over an over-precise description. However, it seems worth investigating, because if some pattern could be detected, then we would gain not only an engineering tool, but a tool for understanding, which is one of the wonderful things about many of Fuller's inventions. An extension of this idea is to apply Fuller's conception of Universe as a basic representation for use in computers that would have an elegant "scalabilty of resolution" that might lead to very efficient data compression and computation. I don't actually know how to do this, but here is an attempt to describe a half-baked idea: Graphics applications on modern computers represent complicated "scenes" using millions of polygons, and the 3D virtual realities that are expected use billions of polygons per second. All of these polygons are generally represented in a pretty silly way: as list of floating points values. So modern graphics applications pump giant lists of floats over networks, off disks, around in memory, and perform X-illions of floating point values, which actually require special hardware built into chips. This does not seem a solution worth of design scientists. A more Fulleresque approach would be to represent objects directly as polyhedra. The polyhedra would be numbered (coded) using some numbering scheme that I can't imagine. But a given set of points in space would have a pyramid of representations, that are progressively more and more precise. Geometric computations could be performed at any precision level. (This is in fact already done in graphics applications in a relatively ad hoc way; algorithms often see if a "bounding box" intersects before attempt to determine if two polyhedra really intersect. Myriad other techniques are used.) For instance, a set of polygons defining a complex shape like Madonna's face could be first coded as a geodesic sphere of a given radius and center point. Then with each step down the precision pyramid, the geometry becomes more complicated and precise. The nose becomes a tetrahedron. The eyes are first dimples in the head, and then dimples filled with spheroids for the eyeballs, etc. How compact could such an encoding be? My suspicions are that it could be very compact. Could we construct algorithms that operate on these representations to do all the things done by computer programs on more conventional representations that would be as good or better than those representations? I believe that it is a possibility, and the improvement in computer graphics might be as to current approaches as the geodesic dome is to rectillinear structures. The notion of choice of precision has to be made for computer graphics just as it most be made for steel domes and trusses. An average screen only has 1 million pixels to be colored, and so many "scenes" are clearly over-specified, in the sense that many different scenes would look exactly the same when viewed on a 1 million-pixel display. For many applications, an order-of-magnitude improvement is needed. Photo-realistic rendering can take minutes or hours for a single picture to be computed. I find the application of Fuller's philosophy to Computer Science fascinating, although, in my mind, it is not as satisfying as physical design work, because although information and entertainment are important needs (even in Fuller's own research plan) seeing Madonna in 3D is not very important if you don't have a place to live or enough to eat. -- Robert L. Read, Member of the League for Programming Freedom ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 18:42:36 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "" Subject: Re: Developing an operational pi I wrote... >>The problem is that I seem to be missing a way to generalize this to any >>frequency of subdivision (n). It seems that if it could be generalized >>into some function f(n), pi could be defined as the limit of f(n) as n >>approaches infinity (and the triangle hieght approaches the circumscribing >>radius). Chris counters... >Ok, maybe I'm being rash, but you want to approximate pi by taking a >limit to infinity? Where is infinity? Is it rational? It seems you Infinity is as rational as you or I, which is to say that it may be that neither you, I, nor infinity are rational in a classical sense. I was thinking that it (a limit definition) could have been a method of defining pi which would have been explored by someone already; it was intended as a kind of corroboration. >want to exorcise one deamon and go to bed with another. Actually >once you have a constructive, rational procedure for determining pi >(the "grainy" pi not the mathematicians pi), you don't need to take the >limit (except to prove that your approximation is valid). After all pi is >really just a limit concept anyway - right? I suppose - but I've never really seen *any* method of defining it other than through numeric approximations ( 22/7... ). >Not So!! Sin, cos and company are geometrically, simply the ratio of two >edge lengths (rational even). It is not until you want to define the >function sin(x) that it becomes transcendental. I think the original trig >tables were calculated by interpolation from the simple cases (90, 60, 45, >and 30 degrees). >Or they could have been. But I'm not sure how good your approximation is. >I look forward to the day when we can point to a "granular" pi. >Interestingly though - it seems no one is persuing Bucky's scheherazade >approximations to pi. >Is that because we don't understand Bucky's argument (I don't) or do you >think he's ... well, wrong? A cursory check on my calculator shows that the square root of several prime numbers - many non primes too - are apparently irrational. Since determining the height of a triangle involves taking a square root, it seems to be likely that the relationship will appear irrational. PI appears to depend upon this relationship, so it wouldn't be surprising to find many approximations of it appearing irrational. On thinking on this further, I recollect Fuller writing his opinion that pi is irrelevant because it only represents a transitory non-structural relationship. I also recollect Fuller's disdain for calculus. I am beginning to appreciate his viewpoints more. It may be however, that even by taking a scheherezade number as unity one cannot rationalize most - or even a large number - of mathematically defined relationships. This leads me to question if there isn't a series of 'families' of functions instead of one overarching 'grainy-pi' function, each with its own unique radial unity value which rationalizes only the grainy-pi relationships within its own family. Ah, well, enough castle-building. Back to sleep! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mitch C. Amiano amiano@delphi.com ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 18:42:50 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "" Subject: Re: Developing an operational pi >THESIS FOR DEBATE: > >Nature is not using PI, nor are humans (part of nature). All computer-based >and calculator-based representations of PI are truncated to the number of >digits internal storage permits. Even those gazillion digit Cray monsters >terminate (and besides, are not used in practice in any calculations). >Bucky's argument that nature does not use irrational numbers is pretty >straightforward: you have never used an irrational number in your life: >all computations with root-of-two, pi, e and so forth are definite, >terminated. >We call them "approximations" just as we say all lines are "approximations" >of perfectly straight ones. Bucky simply starts with what's right in front >of us, in our everyday experience, and says "not approximations of anything, >this is what simply *is* -- no perfectly straight lines and no ultimate >value of PI actually exist or get used for anything in nature." > >-- Kirby To say that something is an approximation is to indicate that some perfectly accurate representation exists. Everything I know contradicts this; everything is inexact - mutating and changing constanty, subtly, and even extensively. That which is not does not appear to be measurable. Still, I can't shake the feeling that when someone wants a rational way of determining the height of an equilateral triangle made from physical struts, there is no rational way of calculating the value. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Mitch C. Amiano amiano@delphi.com ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 18:24:26 MDT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "Ken G. Brown" Organization: BEST Online Subject: Re: Earthquake-Proof "JR> of non-wood dome superstructure would be the U.S. Pavillion at Canada's "JR> Expo67 in Montreal. I believe steel was used for that "JR> dome's huge skeleton. > "JR> HJ.ROSEN@SRS.GOV< >Actually, it was made of aluminum extrusions.< >Jeff Weiner< >jeff@ican.com< My information agrees with the steel construction for the EXPO 67 US Pavillion. It was constructed of steel pipes slotted at the ends to join onto cast multi-fingered connectors. Once in place the pipe slots were welded onto the connector fingers which fit exactly into the slots. I read somewhere that one of the problems that this construction system had was the fact that it was too rigid and due to thermal stresses tended to be susceptible to cracks requiring re-welding. I've seen the joint construction up close (years after the fire that destroyed the skin). The dome was an incredible accomplishment considering they evidently used log tables for calculations, took 2 years and were hoping that there weren't errors in the tables. Thermal stress is often referred to as causing problems in dome construction. I believe that the way to minimize this is to design an insulation and weather break system which goes on the outside of the structure so that the structure doesn't have to take the bulk of the expansion and contraction. kbrown@atc.edmonton.ab.ca ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 19:51:21 -0700 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: Kirby Urner Subject: Re: Developing an operational pi So are we agreed that what Bucky was advocating was a 'grainy-pi' using a super scheherezade number with tons of primes folded in? Like, the Babylonians chose 360 because of its easy divisibility. People came up with "Grads" (on most calculators) dividing the circle into 100 degrees -- for the true die-hard decimal-heads. So Bucky, in true Babylonian fashion, but acknowledging the new level of computing power we've attained, suggested replacing 360 with a number with a great many more primes worked in. The idea would be to then generate a table of trig functions that always "came out" to some rational number. The whole set-up would be "grainy" but I think it was Bucky's contention that we would find such a system to be sufficient to cover nature's "scalables" -- i.e. we would have a rational trigonometry of enough accuracy to do subatomics, architecture etc. I have no clear understanding of what it would look like to carry this out in practice. Sounds like a job for a computer language. My question here though is: does anyone have a different understanding of what Bucky meant? And, yes, what about the phenomenal utility of such numbers as e, \/2 etc? Although here, again, my earlier assertion is relevant: our computers only carry out our symbols to a finite number of numbers for crunching purposes in any case, so the question "can we get along without computing with non- terminating irrationals?" is moot in any case -- we get along fine right now. -- Kirby >On thinking on this further, I recollect Fuller writing his opinion that pi >is irrelevant because it only represents a transitory non-structural >relationship. I also recollect Fuller's disdain for calculus. I am >beginning to appreciate his viewpoints more. It may be however, that even by >taking a scheherezade number as unity one cannot rationalize most - or >even a large number - of mathematically defined relationships. >This leads me to question if there isn't a series of 'families' of >functions instead of one overarching 'grainy-pi' function, each with its own >unique radial unity value which rationalizes only the grainy-pi >relationships within its own family. > >Ah, well, enough castle-building. Back to sleep! >---------------------------------------------------------------------- >Mitch C. Amiano >amiano@delphi.com > > ------------------------------------------------ Kirby T. Urner pdx4d@teleport.com 4D Solutions (teleport.com is a public access node) Portland, Oregon ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 30 Jun 1994 16:29:08 EST/EDT Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: DAMICO@GELMAN.CIRC.GWU.EDU Subject: Dome magazine X-To: Geodesic%UBVM.BITNET@GWUVM.GWU.EDU I'm reading old posts. Did anyone ever provide the Dome magazine information. I'm a subscriber so I can provide it if it is still needed. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 30 Jun 1994 18:41:48 -0400 Reply-To: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works Sender: List for the discussion of Buckminster Fuller's works From: "" Subject: Re: Scalable precision construction and Hate to be terse, but I have no choice but to read-reply-and-run! Your description sounds like a fractal. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mitch C. Amiano amiano@delphi.com