Contemporary Society - Evolving Global Information Infrastructure and Information Transfer - page 17

Dominant Paradigm Emergent Paradigm

Simple Complex

Hierarchy Heterarchy

Mechanical Holographic

Determinate Indeterminate

Linearly causal Mutually causal

Assembly Morphogenesis

Objective Perspective

Simple to Complex

The emergent paradigm recognizes the complexity of contemporary society. As
a result, simple solutions have given way to complexity. Even the marketplace is
much more complex. For example, the “Big Three” automakers (General Motors,
Ford, and Chrysler) have given way to a multitude of international manufacturers
that often rival or surpass American automakers in quality. In addition to the ex-
panded market of autos from France, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, Korea, and
China, among others, each automaker provides a plethora of models, colors, and
options to choose from. To further complicate the auto market, it is increasingly dif-
ficult to identify the nationality of the manufacturer. Until the 1990s, American cars
were made with parts made in the United States.
Similarly, life has become more complex. New technologies provide many op-
tions for entertainment and for information sources. News is available to us in prin-
ted and electronic newspapers and magazines, by television or radio, from the In-
ternet via telephone or iPod, and through informal networks that have been exten-
ded through social media. Furthermore, the complexity is exasperated by the rate
of change. New inventions are invading the marketplace and being adopted at a
rapid pace. This pace causes frustration, and some people throw up their hands,
exclaiming that they have given up on keeping up.

Hierarchy to Heterarchy

The structure of organizations has changed from a traditional hierarchical struc-
ture like that of the military with generals, colonels, majors, captains, lieutenants,
and noncommissioned officers to a flattened heterarchy. A hierarchy has specified
levels of authority, with communication from top down, or from bottom up, in a spe-
cified linear pattern. The communication is expected to follow the levels of author-
ity one by one.