[Pattern-language] Domesticating Pattern Languages

Thu Apr 16 15:41:42 PDT 2015

Helmut,

I'm also looking forward to the conference!

I'm interested in your points because it will be certainly easier for the 
pattern language community to collaborate if we can agree on some
definitions.

Aldo and I have been using the expression meta-patterns because the
idea (at least ultimately) is to write a pattern language whose domain 
is pattern languages. (Alexander's domain was architecture, the  built
environment).

Our use of "meta" is in keeping  with examples such as metamathematics
(mathematics about mathematics) and metatheory (theory  about theories).

If we were going to write a pattern language on pattern language research,
I'd think it were just an "ordinary" pattern language.  (first order pattern language?)

To my mind the example you use for a BUILDING isn't convincing. To my 
mind BUILDING could be a pattern that "solved" the problem of the need for
enclosure. True it's more general than SCHOOL BUILDING but a SCHOOL 
BUILDING FOR ART is more specific than SCHOOL BUILDING but that
doesn't mean that SCHOOL  BUILDING couldn't be a pattern.

I extended this conversation to  the group.  I'm assuming that's OK with
Helmut.

Thanks!

— Doug

> On Apr 14, 2015, at 11:30 PM, Helmut Leitner <leitner at wikiservice.at> wrote:
> 
> Doug,
> 
> I'm very looking forward to Krems, and to your corresponding contribution.
> 
> I see that we use different terminology, though. 
> 
> So, this posting tries to clarify our terminologies, 
> maybe as a step to unify them. 
> 
> What you name meta-patterns is to me "patterns of pattern research".
> I see a different design target, e. g. a PROJECT PATTERN DISSERTATION.
> There are different patterns used, but I see no serious difference in the 
> quality of patterns or methodology that would justify a new concept.
> 
> For example, there is a PATTERN REPOSITORY (as a dirty research workshop,
> containing patterns and pattern candidates, mature and not, and all kinds 
> of background information; as a basis for collaboration and supporting  
> the creattion of many different pattern products). 
> I assume PATTERN REPOSITORY is a meta-pattern in your sense.
> 
> Corresponding is the PATTERN PRODUCT, a meta-pattern in my sense.
> This is an abstract categorial construction.
> It has has real patterns as instances:
> e. g. PATTERN LANGUAGE BOOK
> e. g. PLOP PATTERN PAPER
> e. g. PATTERN CARD STACK
> ...
> 
> Meta-pattern is a pattern abstraction, 
> where the problem-solution-relationship is lost. 
> 
> For example, 
>   RAILROAD STATION
>   SCHOOL BUILDING 
> are clear problem-solution-patterns. 
> 
> If we abstract from these concrete patterns, and talk about BUILDING
> as a pattern (which shouldn't this be possible?), the problems are lost. 
> Although we may safely assume that each BUILDING solves
> a problem, we can't name it, and can't reason about it. 
> Therefore, BUILDING is not a real pattern, it is something different !!! 
> Therefore, currently I talk about BULDING as a meta-pattern,
> lacking a better word.
> 
> Often the discussions in communities seems move to this "meta"-level
> and loose contact to real implementation issues. And one has
> to try to bring it down to the concrete level to find solutions.
> 
> Do you see these phenomena too?
> Have you named them? 
> 
> Best,
> Helmut
> 
> Am 15.04.15 um 05:57 schrieb Doug Schuler:
>> In case anybody is interested, here's the  abstract that Aldo and I submitted to the pattern language conference this summer in Krems, Austria.
>> 
>> We'd love any thoughts you may have.
>> 
>> — Doug
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Domesticating Pattern Languages
>> Meta-patterns and the Development of Pattern Language Use Methodology 
>> 
>> Douglas Schuler
>> Aldo de Moor
>> 
>> In the 2014 PURPLSOC workshop Schuler presented eleven “seeds” as challenges that must be addressed if pattern languages are to effectively promote social change. Here we focus on two seeds: meta-patterns and methodology. Meta pattern languages are pattern language whose domain is pattern languages. In theory this pattern language could be used to help design workshops and games, construct sub-languages using existing and new patterns, and manage ongoing pattern-based projects. Existing pattern languages capture essential lessons and linkages between those patterns. However, those patterns are somewhat idealized and "frozen." To use them in actual situations, stakeholders must select the right patterns, ensure their suitability and customize them, and develop and execute a plan. In practice, such appropriation leading to effective use does not happen by itself: stakeholders need additional guidance. We identified candidate meta-patterns themes that include all aspects of possible pattern use life-cycles, including pattern creation, evaluation, planning, problem-mapping, project generation, etc. In the context of teaching a college program using the Liberating Voices pattern language we gathered information at various stages of 10 quarter-long group projects, including what types of projects they are proposing, which patterns they selected for use in the project, and how they used the patterns — and why. We believe that a closer look at how patterns are used (in the fullest sense) will help identify meta-patterns and how these meta-patterns are used together will help identify methodologies and other approaches to more effective pattern use.
>> 
>> Douglas Schuler
>> douglas at publicsphereproject.org <mailto:douglas at publicsphereproject.org>
>> Twitter: @doug_schuler
>> 
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>> Creating the World Citizen Parliament
>>      http://interactions.acm.org/archive/view/may-june-2013/creating-the-world-citizen-parliament <http://interactions.acm.org/archive/view/may-june-2013/creating-the-world-citizen-parliament>
>>      
>> Liberating Voices!  A Pattern Language for Communication Revolution (project) 
>>      http://www.publicsphereproject.org/patterns/lv <http://www.publicsphereproject.org/patterns/>
>> 
>> Liberating Voices!  A Pattern Language for Communication Revolution (book)
>>      http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=11601 <http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=11601>
>> 
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>> 
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>> 
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> 
> -- 
> HLS SOFTWARE/WIKISERVICE    www.hls-software.at <http://www.hls-software.at/>  www.wikiservice.at <http://www.wikiservice.at/>
> leitner at hls-software.at <mailto:leitner at hls-software.at>                      leitner at wikiservice.at <mailto:leitner at wikiservice.at>
> DI Dr. Helmut Leitner   MOBIL: +43 676 7221638  TEL: +43 316 383820
> Rosenberggürtel 41, A-8010 Graz, Österreich

Douglas Schuler
douglas at publicsphereproject.org <mailto:douglas at publicsphereproject.org>
Twitter: @doug_schuler

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Public Sphere Project
     http://www.publicsphereproject.org/ <http://www.publicsphereproject.org/>
Mailing list ~ Collective Intelligence for the Common Good
     http://scn9.scn.org/mailman/listinfo/ci4cg-announce

Creating the World Citizen Parliament
     http://interactions.acm.org/archive/view/may-june-2013/creating-the-world-citizen-parliament <http://interactions.acm.org/archive/view/may-june-2013/creating-the-world-citizen-parliament>

Liberating Voices!  A Pattern Language for Communication Revolution (project) 
     http://www.publicsphereproject.org/patterns/lv <http://www.publicsphereproject.org/patterns/>

Liberating Voices!  A Pattern Language for Communication Revolution (book)
     http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=11601 <http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=11601>

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