A complex TV set
Don Mikulecky (mikuleck@HSC.VCU.EDU)
Mon, 24 Aug 1998 09:20:10 -0400
Allthough all real things are complex, we often deal with them as
abstractions, especially those we make. A good example is a TV set. It
can be abstracted to circuitry, knobs and dials, and a picture tube. In
reality, there is much more, but we ignore that. We deal with the TV as
a MECHANISM. What would a COMPLEX (NON-MECHANISTIC) TV set be like?
Imagine the following (and we can only imagine, as such things do not
exist):
It still has the picture tubes, knobs and dials, and antenna. These are
imbedded in some structure. Also in that structure is all the circuitry
the mecahnistic one has, but it is no longer clear where each component
is located...the structure seems not to reflect the functional
components in any clear way. Parts of the structure may simultaneaously
be engaged in being a power supply, ampplifier, tuner, or what ever.
maybe this functional characterization is even different from time to
time. If we fragment the structure, we destroy an organization which is
vital to function, but which we do not understand. We can not fins a
1:1 mapping between the physical parts and the functional components
even though it is clear that the function arises from the parts.
There is much more to be said about this example, but let's see if it
makes any sense thus far.
Don Mikulecky