List of proposed names for SNEC: Synergetic Network of Earthian Collaborators (SNEC) Synergetics Association Synergetics Research Association Synergetics Research Institute Association for Synergetics Research and Applications Association for Synergetics Applications Synergetics Collaborative The Synergeticists Synergetics Collective Synergetics Coalition Synergetics Connections Synergetic or Sinergetic Synergetics Co-operative Synergetics Community Synergetics Congress Synergetics Dialog Synergetics Interest Group Synergetic Earth Community Synergetics Equilibrium The Synergetics Group Sinergetic Convergences Synergetic Structures Synergy Collaborative Synergy Group Synergetics Central Synergetics Cabal Synergetic Collaborators Synergetics Aggregate Synergetics Cohort Synergetics Expanding Circle Synergetics Extended Circle Synergetics Circle Synergetics Channel Fuller School Synergetics Education Collaboartive Synergetics Design Collaborative Synergetic Consort Fuller Evolution(aries) Synergy Development Association Synergy Society Synergy Collaborative Buckminster Fuller Associates Bucky's Raiders The Dymaxion Guard Furthering Fuller Fullerup Synuiverse (synergy + universe) dymacs Synergetic Understanding Comments received: - SNEC can stand for "Synergetics", so we have the option of a second word to help modify "Synergetics". So names like "The Synergetics Association" or "The Synergetics Group" actually make sense. - We don't want a name with Fuller's name in it because that would limit the scope of SNEC and be confusing as say compared with the mission of the BFI. - The word "Synergetics" in some form ought to be part of the name because we strive to take the idea of Synergetics as presented in Fuller's "Synergetics: Explorations in the Geometry of Thinking" and EJ Applewhite's "Synergetics Dictionary". We would like to develop the school of thinking that Synergetics embraces and build it beyond what Fuller was able to achieve in his finite life. Finally, Fuller's own emphasis was that his work is more important than the person. - I like the Synergetics Group better than any of the others. I like the word association even better. I have been thinking a lot about finding ways to bring Synergetics into the mainstream scientific community. So that means the name should represent what we would like to communicate to that community. Bucky used to say that he wore a suit to look like a banker (an image that at the time to him epitomized mainstream). So I think the two ideas to communicate are 1) serious/professional and 2) open to those who want to share. The Synergetics Association would do. Even better might be something like: Association for Synergetics Research and Applications or Association for Synergetics Applications -- hb - I like the Synergeticists, but i think that Synergeticists are what you call people who are in the Synergetics Collective. I also thought about the term Synergetian (as in musician or magician - these being more arty terms but there is the term mathematician) while Synergeticist is like scientist...more technical. Each has its place based on context of use. Art movement names I have thought of over the years have been Synergeticism or Dymaxionism or Dymaxion Planarism - although isms have a 20th century ring to them... -- va - My vote is for the Synergeticists. It's not really that hard to spell since the ending is pretty much what you'd expect. I like it because it's one word and pretty much to the point. The hard part of the word is really the synergy part but I think we've already created the filter that keeps anyone who doesn't know what synergy is, or doesn't try to find out, from finding out what it's about. -- pm - I like "The Synergeticists" best of all. Titles such as "Synergy Group" or "Synergetics Group" sound too corporate. Titles such as "Synergetics Collaborative", "Synergetics Collective" and "Synergetics Coalition" while they may be appropriate have, in my opinion, too much of a political cadence in them. Titles such as "Synergetics Connections" and "Synergetic Structures" seem too limiting of the notion of the term "Synergetics". "The Synergeticists" connotes a group of people involved in the activity of Synergetics and allows for a more wide open mental image of what Synergetics may be inclusive of. Finally, the title "The Synergeticists" has a little bit of mystery in it which makes it sound intriguing. "Synergetics Cabal" goes a little too far in that direction. -- bs - I am all for "The Synergetics Cooperative". Here is why. I have spent the last 15 years learning about the power of cooperatives as a structured unit. The principles of cooperatives are amazing. They allow for autonomy and united purpose. I believe that the initial interpretation of the word 'cooperative' by people being introduced to the group presents an understanding of a gathering of people and forces working together. I also believe that it has an underlying meaning that, with time, will allow the group to move in a united direction. Of course that direction is guided by the group and must be defined by the group at a later time. I want to add that I am seriously behind this group regardless of the name picked. If people feel that another name will better convey or market the principles of group, I'm all for it!! -- am - I think the collaborative was my suggestion and that would be my vote now/still. Synergeticists has some merit but is hard to say and remember how to spell it for some perhaps as i recall you saying. BUT, Synergeticists= SyNErgetiCists Also: Synergeticists= SyNrgEticists Collaborative but this is a mouthful also, but think it conveys what is desired within the organization well. With all the previous meetings, links, discussion group mail keeping SNEC makes some sense but also wondering if it were changed to something else how much would be lost with such a young group and still small and fairly tight group of people who are connected well. With that said I don't have a better suggestion to offer right now, and if I did might hold it back anyway;-), but I don't, so here. -- jb - Here's my rationale for continued support for "Synergetics Collaborative": "Synergetics", although a mouthful, is the field of research, education and applied development in which SNEC and its constituents are involved. I think its really important to identify and distinguish SNEC by this particular field which also embodies the concept of synergy but does not confuse it with or make SNEC sound like the many groups out there that are already using it as their company name or product offering or part of their mission and common new age vocabulary. Synergy as a word, is now in common usage and its meaning is now taking on various meanings in popular culture and especially business such as networking and creating new levels of effeciency etc. Synergy is almost losing its meaning whereas synergetics is less likely to get worn out and take on multiple meanings. (I believe Fuller prioritized not being misunderstood over being understood and being misuderstood from a branding point of view is deadly.) To me, "collaboarative" is a more contemporary and evolved form of Association. Both "collabaorative" and "association" impress me as offering several very important elements: a more formal, serious, apolitical and credible appeal than most if not all of the other 2nd words in the name such as cabal, collective, cooperative, coalition, group, central, cohort, connections etc. To me "Collaborative" is descriptive of an inviting, open, inclusive, non-hierarchical networked organizational architecture that is actively engaged with a variety of constituents who are working to forward the mission of SNEC. My second choice would be some variation using "association" but as soon as you use association the acronym SNEC probably gets sacrificed. Two more ideas: one keeps the acronym intact and explicitly speaks to the educational function of SNEC and the other speaks more explicitly and inclusively to the professional/scientific, art/architecture, communities of interest. Synergetics Education Collaboartive Synergetics Design Collaborative -- ja - Concerning the re-naming of the SNEC group, It seems that informally all who are participating could be referred to as "The Synergeticists" and that formally they participate in a Synergetics Collaborative. I like the idea that the statement "I'm going to meet with the Synergeticists" has some intrigue. Kind of like, "I'm going to meet with the Super Heroes". I say this with only a hint of jest! to keep things light as I was overwhelmed with the brilliant and caring individuals attending Ed's tribute. -- tu - My preference is Synergetics Collaborative. It is to the point. -- es - I like the Synergetics Collaborative. I also like the simple acronym SNEC. But, I don't like that the root for SNEC concentrates the focus on the North-East and seems to alienate the rest of us. I thought SynCol might make a nice short version of Synergetics Collaborative but if you say it really fast it sounds like "Sink Hole" (even though the low pressure of the math does seem to draw you in like a sink hole). I like SNEC if we could find a different set of words to use as the root of the acronym. Synergetic Network of Earthian Collaborators -- cc - I still favor the more pronounceable: Synergy Collaborative Markets know the names that work best, sounds good because the user can get their mind around it without having to think it through. Synergetics and definitely Synergeticists are a mouth full and difficult with constant effort. Synergy says it plain and easy. Second choice is Synergy Group, but shy from that because it sounds like there is some sort of legal entity or closed group. Collaborative has an open and inclusiveness about it that I like. -- db - I'm new to the mailing list and have enjoyed this message on names. For what it's worth, I'd vote for 'Synergetics Association' or 'Synergetics Research Association' because, as you point out, appearing or sounding mainstream has its advantages and because the word 'association' covers many of the points raised below. My Oxford dictionary states that 'association' means 'a group of people organized for a joint purpose', or 'a connection or cooperative link between people or organization', or 'a conceptual connection'. All good points that were discussed below. Also, it's not clear to me why the SNEC acroynm needs to be preserved, but other names might be more suitable if this requirement were relaxed. -- jl - I like: Synergetics Central Rhymes with 'Grand Central Station' which has index entries in 'Synergetics': 410.03, 410.05, 986.121, 986.452, 1053.822 -- ku - I would be split between Synergetic Collaborators, Synergetics Cooperative, and Synergetics Coalition -- tc - Synergetic Earth Community. Earth is both a noun and an adjective. It is all inclusive. -- df - "Synergetics Connections" has an intriguing double-entendre... "Unity is plural and at minimum two." -RBF -- bl - You missed "Synergetic Consort" - as in an instrumental ensemble. ;-) -- ad - I Licke Sinurgeatisistz an I don hav eny preblum wit da speelign. -- pm - Might I strongly suggest that SNEC stand for Synergetics Co-operatives, and drop the Northeast corridor moniker. Bucky was always one for co-operate, and SNEC is surely more than NE area. -- tz - My Least favorites are Synergetics Earth Community and Synergetic Network of Earth Collaborators (SNEC) ... too contrived. I also like: Synergetics Group, but SNEC is not a logical acronym in that case, so I didn't pick it, since there seems to be some commitment to keeping SNEC. Ditto with Dialog, Association and Synergeticists (which latter term I've never liked much). -- ku - On the lighter side, International Fuller Understanding of Synergetics Society (I.F.U.S.S.) has a nice ring! -- dg - I've got it! Synergetics Equilibrium "Are you a member of the Equilibrium?" "The Equilibrium will meet next July in Oswego." It is dynamic, descriptive, forever-new. It is action. It requires design. Always changing, and in balance. It is educational. It is central to synergetics. It is general case and special case combined. People can engage or disengage. People can move in toward the center to the stage or outward to be an observer on the fringe. Or leave critical proximity altogether. All structures are in equilibrium. If you want to build a structure, there must be equilibrium. -- df