It's been ages since I posted here, and who knows when I'll be doing it again on a regular basis--probably not for a while, I don't think...
I just sent a manuscript off to the publisher, fulfilling the main part of my contractual obligation (still have to do an index), but it's on its way.
My book: The Universe of Design: Horst rittel's Theories of Design and Planning. I'm credited as second author, but really I'm third author after the titular Horst Rittel and the listed first author Jean-Pierre Protzen.
This is an academic book, no question. It is, in many ways, very abstract and philosophical. But this abstraction has immediate relevance to our day-to-day lives, and especially our lives as acting, thinking people trying to make plans for a better life for ourselves or for others.
This book discusses the process of design, which, in the sense used in the book, is a process in which we all engage sometimes: we may not be planning a whole city, we may only be planning a menu for the week, or planning a budget. But we make plans that we use to help us solve our problems. As members of a democratic society, we are also called on to contribute to or evaluate plans for our society. We all engage in planning and design.
The book examines the nature of problems: design problems are "wicked": they are not easily defined, may be understood in many different ways, and any attempt at a solution counts significantly--we cannot attempt a plan without repercussions (e.g., if we plan a menu, buy the food and cook it, we have paid the costs of the meal in effort and money no matter how palatable the food may be).
The book also discusses the processes of design, the reasoning of designers, the use of rationality and other conceptual tools for design, and reasons designs/plans fail.
It's due out in six months or so, assuming no problems in the process.
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Seeking insightful perspectives on writing, dissertations, and projects in general.
About Me
- Dave
- I'd love to hear from you if you find what I say interesting or helpful or controversial. I like ideas. Got a question? Please ask.
More About Me
Since 2002 I've been working with dissertation writers and other scholars as a writing coach, dissertation coach and editor.
As coach or editor, I have helped over 70 scholars complete their dissertations at universities including Stanford, MIT, Johns Hopkins, the University of Michigan, and the University of California at Berkeley. In 2010, Routledge published The Universe of Design: Horst Rittel's Theories of Design and Planning, of which I was the second author.
As a coach, using my knowledge of philosophy, psychology, cognitive science, and design theories and methods, I help scholars develop a writing practice that carries them through the difficulties of the writing process.
As an editor, I work to help writers express their ideas clearly, which sometimes calls for a high-level examination of content and structure, and other times for meticulous attention to grammar and stylistic conventions.
I've written my own book for dissertation and thesis writers: Getting the Best of Your Dissertation. If you find this blog helpful, you'll probably like the book too.
I've also written a book for dissertation writers (and other early career scholars) about using literature in the process of designing a research project, and writing literature reviews: Literature Review and Research Design: A Guide to Effective Research Practice. If you're struggling with a writing project, contact me. I can help.
dave@thoughtclearing.com
As coach or editor, I have helped over 70 scholars complete their dissertations at universities including Stanford, MIT, Johns Hopkins, the University of Michigan, and the University of California at Berkeley. In 2010, Routledge published The Universe of Design: Horst Rittel's Theories of Design and Planning, of which I was the second author.
As a coach, using my knowledge of philosophy, psychology, cognitive science, and design theories and methods, I help scholars develop a writing practice that carries them through the difficulties of the writing process.
As an editor, I work to help writers express their ideas clearly, which sometimes calls for a high-level examination of content and structure, and other times for meticulous attention to grammar and stylistic conventions.
I've written my own book for dissertation and thesis writers: Getting the Best of Your Dissertation. If you find this blog helpful, you'll probably like the book too.
I've also written a book for dissertation writers (and other early career scholars) about using literature in the process of designing a research project, and writing literature reviews: Literature Review and Research Design: A Guide to Effective Research Practice. If you're struggling with a writing project, contact me. I can help.
dave@thoughtclearing.com
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