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The Kaleidoscope Effect
APPENDIX
The Kaleidoscope Effect The kaleidoscope was invented by Scottish scientist Sir David Brewster in 1816, and patented by him two years later. David Brewster named his invention after the Greek words kalos, or beautiful, eidos, or form, and scopos, or watcher. A combination of those words would mean something close to “looking at beautiful forms,” which is a very accurate name. Sir David Brewster (1781 1868), a child prodigy, built a telescope at the age of ten. He entered the University of Edinburgh at the age of 12, and focused his studies on optics and the physics of light. Based on a simple principle of reflections of reflections, this amusing instrument is able to generate “ooohs” and “aaahs” from everyone who looks through the little hole. The concept behind this creation is the images produced by particles on a dark background when reflected in mirrors placed at 60 degree angles. Typically, that is achieved by three rectangular mirrors forming the sides of a columnar triangle. If the magic of the invention is set aside, we are left with a bunch of colorful particles, symmetrically arranged. However, this is where the fascination of the kaleidoscope effect lies. Translated to the idea of interdisciplinary science, the kaleidoscope effect can be applied to the conceptual blending that collaboration and transdisciplinarity aim to accomplish. The individual components of the kaleidoscopic image are changing all the time, through the movement generated by the observer.
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The Kaleidoscope Effect
However, all of the reflections are able to conjugate to form an incredible image. Isolated, they will be simple figures, but associated, they constitute an amazingly complex picture that we observe with pleasant surprise. One image gives place to the next one, and this one to the next. It is this continuum of transformation, this chain of colorful images, that sets the stage for harmony and beauty. Looking at the kaleidoscope images invites us to think of working in a team of teams, as if each component represents one independent team and each particle one individual. Conceptually, this is a very close representation of interdisciplinary interactions. Multiple arrangements, combinations, and orders can be generated, all of them eye catching and effectively created. Similarly, the transformation of each individual component, formed by just a few particles, leads to a whole generation of new arrangements; it is a simple yet effective system. Think about your team and interactions. Look through a kaleidoscope from time to time and allow yourself to be amused, to be surprised, to “oooh” and “aaah” freely, and to let the concept of crosstalk and transdisciplinarity germinate in your mind. Want to persuade your team? Want to engage the individual (particles) that work with you in a positive collaborating environment? Consider building your own kaleidoscope. Consider bringing the concept to the hands and eyes of your colleagues by engaging them in the construction of a simple kaleidoscope with their own hands and as a team effort. Simple, yet amusing, the task will bring people together and will represent a symbol of the team effort. And that will be just one component. Looking for the other components will come later, and will be a logical consequence of your group working as such.
The Kaleidoscope Effect
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Looking for collaborations that enhance your unit will be the next step in the conceptual blending. Here are some easy steps to build your own tool to interdisciplinarity while amusing yourself: 1. Begin by cutting mirror cards into three strips of 4.3 cm wide and 21 cm long. Once cut, tape the three sides together to form a triangular prism with the shiniest sides facing inwards. Push into a kitchen roll tube, so that the prism is flush at one end. 2. Cut two discs of plastic with a diameter of 5.3 cm. One disc needs to be totally transparent whilst the other needs to be frosted. Put the transparent disc inside the tube at the end of the prism. Tape it into place. Pour small, shiny beads into the end of the tube. 3. Place the frosted plastic disc onto the end and secure in place with tape. Turn the kaleidoscope over. At this end, you need to tape a disc of cardboard (5.3 cm diameter) with a peephole cut into the center. 4. Decorate the tube in any way you want, perhaps with the name of the team.
The Kaleidoscope Effect The kaleidoscope was invented by Scottish scientist Sir David Brewster in 1816, and patented by him two years later. David Brewster named his invention after the Greek words kalos, or beautiful, eidos, or form, and scopos, or watcher. A combination of those words would mean something close to “looking at beautiful forms,” which is a very accurate name. Sir David Brewster (1781 1868), a child prodigy, built a telescope at the age of ten. He entered the University of Edinburgh at the age of 12, and focused his studies on optics and the physics of light. Based on a simple principle of reflections of reflections, this amusing instrument is able to generate “ooohs” and “aaahs” from everyone who looks through the little hole. The concept behind this creation is the images produced by particles on a dark background when reflected in mirrors placed at 60 degree angles. Typically, that is achieved by three rectangular mirrors forming the sides of a columnar triangle. If the magic of the invention is set aside, we are left with a bunch of colorful particles, symmetrically arranged. However, this is where the fascination of the kaleidoscope effect lies. Translated to the idea of interdisciplinary science, the kaleidoscope effect can be applied to the conceptual blending that collaboration and transdisciplinarity aim to accomplish. The individual components of the kaleidoscopic image are changing all the time, through the movement generated by the observer.
169
170
The Kaleidoscope Effect
However, all of the reflections are able to conjugate to form an incredible image. Isolated, they will be simple figures, but associated, they constitute an amazingly complex picture that we observe with pleasant surprise. One image gives place to the next one, and this one to the next. It is this continuum of transformation, this chain of colorful images, that sets the stage for harmony and beauty. Looking at the kaleidoscope images invites us to think of working in a team of teams, as if each component represents one independent team and each particle one individual. Conceptually, this is a very close representation of interdisciplinary interactions. Multiple arrangements, combinations, and orders can be generated, all of them eye catching and effectively created. Similarly, the transformation of each individual component, formed by just a few particles, leads to a whole generation of new arrangements; it is a simple yet effective system. Think about your team and interactions. Look through a kaleidoscope from time to time and allow yourself to be amused, to be surprised, to “oooh” and “aaah” freely, and to let the concept of crosstalk and transdisciplinarity germinate in your mind. Want to persuade your team? Want to engage the individual (particles) that work with you in a positive collaborating environment? Consider building your own kaleidoscope. Consider bringing the concept to the hands and eyes of your colleagues by engaging them in the construction of a simple kaleidoscope with their own hands and as a team effort. Simple, yet amusing, the task will bring people together and will represent a symbol of the team effort. And that will be just one component. Looking for the other components will come later, and will be a logical consequence of your group working as such.
The Kaleidoscope Effect
171
Looking for collaborations that enhance your unit will be the next step in the conceptual blending. Here are some easy steps to build your own tool to interdisciplinarity while amusing yourself: 1. Begin by cutting mirror cards into three strips of 4.3 cm wide and 21 cm long. Once cut, tape the three sides together to form a triangular prism with the shiniest sides facing inwards. Push into a kitchen roll tube, so that the prism is flush at one end. 2. Cut two discs of plastic with a diameter of 5.3 cm. One disc needs to be totally transparent whilst the other needs to be frosted. Put the transparent disc inside the tube at the end of the prism. Tape it into place. Pour small, shiny beads into the end of the tube. 3. Place the frosted plastic disc onto the end and secure in place with tape. Turn the kaleidoscope over. At this end, you need to tape a disc of cardboard (5.3 cm diameter) with a peephole cut into the center. 4. Decorate the tube in any way you want, perhaps with the name of the team.