Paradigm and Paradigm Shift

Model

• The Apollo program is a model for successfully pulling together the many organizations involved in American government. It achieved its goals and provides guidelines that are useful in organizing a new ecology paradigm. The Apollo program can be considered a precedent for programs that require effective communication and interaction among entities that are not accustomed to such behavior. (p. 351 para. 7)

• Gore proposes designing a new information retrieval system that will aid in organizing and interpreting the vast quantities of data beamed down to earth by satellites. The new system is aimed at improving global climate models that are used in understanding future conditions of the earth’s climate.(p.358 para. 1)

• Chaos Theory is described as a model that represents now natural systems fluctuate even while they are at equilibrium. Systems have critical boundaries defining their current pattern of operation. When these boundaries are exceeded the result is a new set of boundaries and a new overall pattern of operation. Chaos Theory appears to be a model that describes the shifting of paradigms.(p. 47, para. 2)

Metaphor

• The way in which computers process information is used as a metaphor for how to collect and organize large amounts of data and how to disseminate it. A parallel computer processes information in small units throughout its memory. This type of operation is more time and energy efficient. Instead of time consuming queues leading to a powerful central unit, more information is processed simultaneously with numerous less powerful units. A decentralized information system results in more efficient decision-making.(p. 358 para. 3)

• Mass transport is a metaphor for communication channels needed to share information. Highways, subways, and rails transport masses of people and goods fairly efficiently but new ways are always being researched. In order for information to be effectively transported, an efficient system, an "information superhighway" should be established so that people at different locations can share the results of their work or even work together.(p 326 para. 3)

Analogy

• The current information system is to data as the United States’ old agricultural policy was to grain. Excess grain was stored in silos and rotted instead of being distributed globally to others who could have used it. It was easier to subsidize farmers than to create a distributive system. Data is being created in vast quantities and much of it is stored without an adequate system to make it accessible to others. (p. 200 para. 3)

• The process of information being transformed into knowledge and then to wisdom is similar to the fermentation process. Over time information is distilled into knowledge and the knowledge is then fermented into wisdom. (p. 202 para. 1)