One cannot think without writing
– Niklas Luhmann.
Image of the slip boxing system from from the Niklas Luhmann Archive
This post is a follow-up to Alternative Schemas Part 1 and provides a concise overview of the key techniques I employ for archiving. It's intended for those interested in enhancing personal productivity and organizing knowledge with the potential to foster intelligence.
During my time at the Architectural Association in London, and while working on the initial draft of NERVOUSystems as a more academic thesis, I adopted Niklas Luhmann's archiving protocol known as Zettelkasten.
I won't delve into a detailed tutorial on setting up your Zettelkasten system in this post. There are plenty of online resources, including YouTube videos and academic papers, that offer guidance on the system's efficiency and setup.
I stumbled upon Niklas Luhmann's work by chance in a second-hand bookstore in 2013 when I purchased his book "Art as a Social System." In this book, Luhmann explores the unique nature of art as a self-contained social system. He argues that art isn't just a collection of individual artistic expressions but a distinct system with its self-referential dynamics. This book underscores the importance of communication within the art system, where artists, critics, and audiences continually exchange ideas, shaping meaning within this enclosed framework. Luhmann applies the concept of functional differentiation to art, emphasizing its specific role in society: producing aesthetic experiences and establishing criteria for what qualifies as art. The meaning of art is not inherent but emerges through interpretation by observers. Luhmann's writing transformed my understanding of art into a continuously evolving, self-referential system deeply intertwined with the broader cultural context.
After reading "Art as a Social System," I delved into a 'systems theory' binge and eventually found myself immersed in the study of cybernetics and artificial intelligence. This was during my early twenties while squatting in Shepherds Bush, working sporadically in film production, and feeling directionless, or so I thought. Luhmann's theory meant spending more time in art galleries and events, without a clear career path, allowed me to study and critically comprehend the world around me. I was embarking on an exploration that had its roots in my childhood adventures in forests and video games, an ongoing journey centered on observation itself.
But let's move on to Luhmann's second major work.
Theory of Society, Volume 1 of 2
Cultural Memory in the Present
Niklas Luhmann's "Theory of Society, Volume 1 of 2: Cultural Memory in the Present" is a substantial exploration of social theory. It delves into the concept of cultural memory, examining how societies construct and maintain their memory over time. It places a particular emphasis on the role of communication in shaping collective memory and how this memory influences social dynamics. This work provides a foundational framework for understanding how societies create, preserve, and transmit their cultural memory. Luhmann discusses the pivotal role of media and communication in this process, highlighting the intricate interplay between societal memory and contemporary communication practices.
Among the various concepts Luhmann introduced, the idea of autopoiesis, which underscores the self-referential and self-generating nature of social systems, profoundly influenced my understanding of contemporary culture in 2014.
"Half-finished” printed billboards to reflect KitKat’s famous ‘Take a Break’ tagline
Image: Courtesy of AdsoftheWorld.com, 2014
This was a time when the media landscape was undergoing a significant transition from traditional to digital platforms. Television and print media coexisted with the rise of online news, social media, and streaming services. Citizen journalism and data-driven reporting gained prominence, and concerns about media consolidation, fake news, and privacy issues emerged. Entertainment consumption shifted towards streaming services and digital gaming, and online advertising became increasingly critical for media companies, challenging traditional advertising models. This period marked the beginning of significant changes in how people accessed and interacted with news and entertainment—a transition from the physical to the digital realm, albeit half-finished.
Autopoiesis, a term borrowed from biology, refers to the self-production and self-maintenance of systems. In Luhmann's theory, social systems, such as organizations, institutions, and societies, are seen as autonomous and self-referential entities that continuously create and reproduce themselves through communication. Here are some ways in which Luhmann's idea of the autopoiesis of society has made an impact:
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Radical Shift in Perspective: Luhmann's work challenged traditional sociological thinking, which often focused on the actions and intentions of individuals as the primary drivers of social phenomena. His theory shifted the perspective from individuals to social systems, emphasizing that society emerges from the interactions and communications within these systems. This shift led to a more comprehensive understanding of social dynamics.
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Complexity Theory: Luhmann's theory laid the groundwork for the study of complex systems in sociology. It highlighted the intricate interplay of various elements within a social system, with an emphasis on how these systems maintain their boundaries while continually adapting and evolving. This perspective has influenced the broader field of complexity theory and its application to various disciplines.
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Interdisciplinary Influence: Luhmann's ideas have transcended the boundaries of sociology and have found relevance in diverse fields such as philosophy, communication studies, organizational theory, and management. His emphasis on the importance of communication processes and the self-referential nature of systems has informed discussions and research in these areas.
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Organizational Theory: His work offers a framework for understanding how organizations operate as self-referential systems, making decisions and maintaining their internal coherence through communication. This perspective has influenced discussions on organizational behavior, decision-making processes, and management strategies.
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Cultural and Media Studies: His concept of social systems and their reliance on communication has been valuable in analyzing the role of media and culture in shaping contemporary societies. It has provided a theoretical foundation for understanding the impact of mass media on public opinion and social dynamics.
In summary, Niklas Luhmann's concept of the autopoiesis of society has revolutionized sociological thinking by shifting the focus from individual agency to self-referential systems independent of external factors. This notion aligns with the Zettelkasten method, a knowledge management system involving interconnected notes that foster idea development and creative thinking.
Image of a zettle from from the Niklas Luhmann Archive
While there's no direct link between Luhmann's autopoiesis of society volumes and the Zettelkasten method, they share conceptual similarities. Both stress the significance of communication and information flow. Luhmann's theory places communication at the core of social systems, while the Zettelkasten method enables the organization and connection of ideas and knowledge in a way that mirrors the complexity of self-referential systems. In practice, scholars and researchers exploring Luhmann's work and social systems theory often employ the Zettelkasten method as a practical tool for structuring and evolving their ideas, creating connections between Luhmann's concepts, and unraveling the intricate relationships within the theory.
Luhmann's Zettelkasten system is best described as a physical filing cabinet that existed in his office in Oerlinghausen since the mid-1970s. It is split into two slip boxing systems: the first, named ZKI, covers the period from 1952 to 1961, and the second, ZKII, from 1961 to 1997. The first system includes notes on administration, political science, organizational theory, and literature on sociology, while the second comprises notes from his time at both the University of Administrative Sciences Speyer and the Social Research Centre Dortmund at the University of Münster.
The system follows several principles that I'll broadly categorize as:
- Principle of Order
- Numbering Principle
- Referral Principle
- Subject Index Summary
These principles correspond to a notational framework for each slip of paper based on Luhmann's "multiple storage" principle. This principle allows for the creation of relationships between notes rather than relying on point-by-point access. Luhmann describes it as a "septic tank" where "all arbitrary ideas, all coincidences of reading" can be introduced. The internal connectivity is decided after reading, and it can operationally encompass all of the archiving attitudes mentioned above.
There are many rules associated with this system, but for the sake of brevity, I won't delve into them here and now.
Luhmann's method of creating a 'second brain' is valuable to the development of my project because it allows for a lack of control through an ongoing, evolving system of notes. He summarizes this approach in his essay "Communicating with Slip Boxes," where he defines the system as a communication partner—a unique relationship. Thematic specialization is avoided through "open routing" instead of the logistical building of linear systems of connection (like a road). My interest in routes, roads, and linearity may become more apparent as I continue to write.
NERVOUSystems is written in and around the development of such a system, albeit slightly adapted for a computer with cloud storage. It's an analog-digital hybrid, but still fundamentally rooted in Luhmann's Zettelkasten system.
If you want to learn more about Zettelkasten, you can check this out