Re: Vive in vitro!

Mike Cole (mcole who-is-at weber.ucsd.edu)
Thu, 31 Jul 1997 19:11:27 -0700 (PDT)

As I point out in the last chapter of CP, Bill, I figure I am doing a form
of experiment by design. I recall referencing Ann Brown who referenced
Allan Collins, but have never seen the book the Allan was going to put
out on this topic.

Your point about "envisioning" rings very true to me. The problem with
"in vitro" meaning "in house/lab" is that one's vision of possible
environments is poverty stricken. Reality runneth over.

Are all design experiments examples of what I am talking about as positive
critical theory? I don't think so. By and large, such research efforts do
not concern themselves with "higher" levels of context, and conduct design
resarch that include analysis of macro-sociological and political-economic
factors shaping the ability of the innovation to survive "in vitro." Its
a rich topic, you are right.
mike