101.01 Synergy means behavior of whole systems unpredicted by the behavior of their parts taken separately.

102.00 Synergy means behavior of integral, aggregate, whole systems unpredicted by behaviors of any of their components or subassemblies of their components taken separately from the whole.

-- R. Buckminster Fuller, Synergetics, 1975

SNEC: Synergeticists of the NorthEast Corridor Synergetics, in the broadest terms, is the study of spatial complexity, and as such is an inherently comprehensive discipline. ... Experience with synergetics encourages a new way of approaching and solving problems. Its emphasis on visual and spatial phenomena combined with Fuller's holistic approach fosters the kind of lateral thinking which so often leads to creative breakthroughs.

-- Amy Edmondson, A Fuller Explanation, 1987

SNEC Program on 30-31 October 2003 in Oswego, New York

Thank you to SUNY Oswego, Department of Technology, Design Studio for hosting this program as part of their Annual Fall Technology Conference

Thursday and Friday, 30 & 31, 2003

Joe Clinton presented two programs representing SNEC and promoting synergetics to the SUNY Oswego, Department of Technology and their Annual Fall Technology Conference. The program was entitled "Domes and Synergetics in Technology Education". In total the programs were attended by over fifty people.

Saturday, November 1, 2003

A SNEC planning session was held in the SUNY-Oswego Design Studio.
People in attendance:            Conference call participants:
Joe Clinton  CJ Fearnley
John Belt  Robert Burkhardt
Kristina Carlevatti  Blaine D'Amico
Rich Curry  Marvin Solit
Robert Gray
Brian LaBarr
Chris Serokos

Agenda items discussed pertained to: how many meetings SNEC should try to have within a year, regional meetings as a possibility, summer workshop presenters, social issues and relationships, dates of meetings and workshops.

The group decided to hold our next meeting at George Washington University in Washington, DC on March 20 & 21 2004. The March meeting will be in Symposium format with the theme of "Cosmic Fishing". Also, we decided to hold our summer workshop on "Tensegrity Structures" at SUNY Oswego on July 24 & 25 2004.

The summer workshop dates of July 24 and 25, 2004 will follow a course on 'Synergetics In The Classroom' which will be taught by Joe Clinton and facilitated by John Belt. The three week course will be dual enrolled as an undergraduate and graduate level workshop or may be audited. Anyone who is interested can contact John Belt. The workshop will run from July 5 through July 23 with the SNEC workshop on the weekend following the course. Several housing options will be available, even tenting it at JB's railroad station or under the thirty foot dome.

After the planning session those in attendance stayed in the design studio until 5 p.m. talking, reviewing Joe Clinton's most recent work that was on display, photographing the work and reviewing books Joe had displayed for review.

The wooden rotegrity spheres from the 2003 SNEC Summer Workshop are now hanging in the staircase well of Wilber Hall. The metal spheres of joist hangers are a bit banged up due to 86mph winds a couple of weeks ago. Joe reviewed the spheres and discussed the where and how the structures failed. We should be able to make one from the parts. Learning from the damage was a good thing and we can make others for inside display.


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