Fluffy Logic
Cultural intelligence needs logic systems connecting to the dynamics of ambiguity and uncertainty. Manipulating logic reasoning, exploiting logical fallacies and unwarranted extrapolation are widespread influence techniques. Logical mistakes are common and a message can be illogical without any deceptive intent, but influence agents deliberately manipulate logic in order to promote their agenda. Logic is the process of drawing a conclusion from one or more premises. A statement of fact, although it can be true or false, is by itself neither logical nor illogical.
The dominant worldview and blueprint for a universal rule for human thinking, Aristotelian logic, is based on the structure of the western language and grammar system. It turns out to be quite limited and culturally determined if arguably the ideographic nature of Chinese symbols affects not only the structure of the language, but likewise thinking or fundamental frameworks for perceiving and interpreting life and the universe. The system of characters which stress ideographic symbols and patterns, the structural organization of patterns, also represents a different system of thought. While this looks pattern-based at interdependency and quality of relations, western standard logic is strongly based on identity and stresses dichotomy and exclusion. Correlation logic stresses the meaning of relationships and is more interested in the interrelations of different signs than things which are at the basis of patterns.
Other cultures base their induction and inferences more on analogies instead of the identity based syllogism predominant in western logic. The introduction of characters and diagrams itself is directly related to ancient oracle and divination techniques, like the reading of cracks in bones. The organized corpus of information laid down within the framework of the specific forecast method could be seen as an early form of mechanized knowledge management and expert system. Each combination of patterns has meaning and is part of a formalized process of dealing with uncertainty and ambiguity. Constellations existing only in the minds of human beings are projected onto random groups of stars to create a picture story that appears in the sky for thousands of years. Those stars, objects in the sky that move in regular and predictable patterns have been at the beginning of scientific thought and measurement.
Future Heritage
In the process of establishing electronic networks, artists were among the first to enter the electronic domain, to experiment with and to use information and communication technologies for cultural purposes. They are in a position to explore the potential of man machine interfaces and communication systems without being reduced to an engineering viewpoint only or having their perspectives and ideas mutilated by short term profit interests. Vital, rich and diverse digital electronic cultures help to understand the complexity of life and cultural identities. Today's digital artistic practice is tomorrow's cultural heritage, and without a large-scale increase of awareness the digital future heritage will be lost. While museums start to digitize their collections and past times? cultural testimonies, little or no effort is undertaken to provide space for today?s artistic practice and to establish framework of a vibrant digital cultural for future generations. "Without establishing artistic practice in the electronic domain, humankind risks the disappearance of future heritage in a black hole of oblivion".
The rise of powerful media oligopolies, resulting in increasing uniformity and commerciality of content, information warfare and the neglect of the public domain in electronic networks threatens a broad cultural participation, artistic experimentation and production. Securing the future heritage requires appropriate legal, technical, scientific and financial measures. Close cooperation and collaboration between technology developers, artists and scientists can provide the test bed necessary for a rich and diverse electronic culture. This must include the enhancement of non-commercial, public electronic networks and cultural backbones as well as physical spaces for electronic communication culture.