Plex: 15 May 2024

The Biweekly Plex Dispatch is an inter-community newspaper published by Collective Sense Commons on first and third Wednesdays of each month. Price per issue: 1 USD, or your choice of amount (even zero).

In This Issue

• Crossing The Stage (Patti Cobian)
• “GPT-4oh!” or “4-oh, no!” ? (George Pór)
• Society 2045: Unveiling the Heart-Driven Transformations Shaping Our Future (Jose Leal)
• Some Good News About AI & Climate? (Gil Friend)
• So This A.I. & I Walked Into a Bar… (Gil Friend)
• Bodhidharma (Jack Park)
• Kramers DC (Peter Kaminski)
• Livorno, Italy (Ken Homer)
• Fall 1972–Meeting Plant Medicine (Ken Homer)

Crossing The Stage

by Patti Cobian

After years of study in a world built atop static frameworks and models, it feels like I’m at graduation again; walking across another stage, squinting into the bright May sun, the wind tossing all of my best-dressed efforts and accoutrements into the air with absolutely no regard, because it’s the wind, and the wind's job was never to regard.

Today, I admit, I find myself surprised to be here. The course of learning I have been undertaking — my last decade of study — had no title or formality to mark its passage; no announcement, no speech, and certainly no diploma. But something about the feeling of this moment echoes that sunny day, where we all sat on folding chairs, sweating through the armpits of our Sunday-best, watching kid after kid walk across a stage, diploma in held tightly in one hand, empty promises of the establishment in the other.

As we crossed that stage, we were symbolically leaving behind the stability of what was Known to step forward into the real and rumbling world. They had told us for years that what we were learning would help us in that “real world”, that those were the skills needed to get by, to succeed, to thrive.

Maintaining a firm grasp on those empty words felt like holding on to fistfuls of dried spaghetti, snapping to bits whenever I would clench too tightly, pieces skittering over the tile of my young adulthood. I never even tried to pick up them up; I just kept going.

We know what happens next: kids everywhere advance into the real world with diplomas and handfuls of spaghetti. Some kids make it to the next graduation stage; some even have spaghetti left over. Some get by, some succeed, and the ones that thrive build their lives upon the shinier surfaces of society. Some self-destruct.

And then, there are the others: kids armed with spaghetti who get thrown cinderblocks, and have no choice but to find something else to hold onto. Some find hands; others just find holes.

What occurred to me today was that the post-graduation initiation doesn’t really ever end. Over a lifetime, we are handed new fistfuls of things that fill the void of Known; we find comfort in their defined edges, how heavy and solid and real they feel in our palms. We squeeze them for solace when we clench. We get thrown cinderblocks. The Known crumbles in our hand, and we find new Knowns.

Sometimes, in those blessed, cinderblock-free years, we clench until the comfort of the rigid edges of Known turns into an ache, and that ache, the cage that insulates us from the next step, the next solution, the next emergent invitation into the very next-ness of Life, individually and collectively.

Some spend everything trying to ignore the ache.

As long as our frameworks and systems are static, humankind will inexorably flatten the dynamic, flog the living, and anesthetize the emergent processes that propel life forward, so that they might be shoved head-first into static frameworks and systems.

I fear that – as long as we proceed in this way – we will continue to be shown that the Living cannot be contained within the tidy confines of Known and Accounted For, Quantified and Static.

The Living will never stop bursting through our attempts to contain it, the way tree roots buckle massive slabs of concrete, compromising cautiously-planned foundations. The Living will continue to flummox the scientists that walked across the most prestigious stages, and all the while, kids and families, communities and countries will fall between the cracks of their ignorance. And still, in our hubris and our fear, we will try to contain. 

Today, the stage I cross feels like it may not be one of establishment, but of paradigm. This time, I’ll graduate, and what I hold in my hand is the paradox of our time: eternal, fixed, ever-changing, immutable — the certainty of the Unknown. 

“GPT-4oh!” or “4-oh, no!” ?

by George Pór

I have not been as excited about a piece of software’s potential for releasing vast volumes of human and social creativity since the first MacOS appeared 40 years ago! Back then, in the early heydays of the Mac, it touched a few thousand Mac aficionados. Today, the 4o craze is spreading among 100+ million of us. 

Who wouldn’t want to talk with an AI who can laugh at itself when embarrassed, sing something if you ask it, or even suggest slowing down your breathing when you panic? I bet lots of people will come for  the fun of it, then discover myriads of uses for increasing their efficiency at various tasks.

Like any new tech, 40 will also have its share of detractors. I’ve just read it on Reddit,“Why is OpenAI providing their most powerful (publicly available) model for free? Won't that make it where people don't need to subscribe? What are they getting out of it? The reason they are providing it for free is that ‘Open’ AI is a big data corporation whose most valuable asset is the private data they have gathered from users.” That may be true, and I think the social benefits may outweigh the harm caused by my anonymized interactions with an AI being used for training its next generation.

The social benefit I‘m most interested in is GPT-4o’s potential, in the hands of motivated citizens, to help remove barriers to large-scale system change by powering up transformational initiatives. For example, imagine:

• a Wisdom Guide as a Non-Playing Character (NPC) in a discovery game, such as the Three Mountains, where the players are discovering their next-stage version of themselves, and the NPC does not only ask wise questions as today’s Socratic AIs do but also, provide context-specific challenges to help the players grow into their fuller potential
• your 4o-based and well-trained facilitator of (virtual or face-to-face) meeting on the fly summarizing the emergent consensus and the dissenting voices of democratic deliberations of a national citizen assembly on issues that matter to them, and instantaneously translating the meeting harvest to the languages of the citizen assemblies gathering around the same problems in other nations, thus eliminating language barriers to bottom-up planetary governance of the commons (caveat: that will also be used for planetary spread of disinformation by bad actors!)
• a variation of the above not based on citizen assemblies but on epistemic communities

In the coming months and years, change artists who intend to map and move the edge of evolutionary emergence enabled by the coming waves of human-AI co-creativity will get overwhelmed by the variety and velocity of societal AInnovation. That’s when they may discover the need for wisdom-focused Collaborative Hybrid Intelligence (CHI) of networked human teams working in symbiotic tandem with teams of AI agents.

Suppose CHI is the predecessor and sensing and meaning-making organ of some emergent, benevolent (planetary) superorganisms. What practical applications can YOU imagine building on top of GPT-4o (and “below”), which would help the superorganism wake up sooner?

Are there too many unknown concepts and open questions in my musings? Which would you like to hear more about in subsequent installments? They are not poetic questions; they are the ones our team is pondering. If they trigger your curiosity and questions, why not get in touch? george(at)FutureHOW.site

Society 2045

Unveiling the Heart-Driven Transformations Shaping Our Future

by Jose Leal

In a world teeming with change, the Society 2045 podcast embarked on a quest to understand a profound shift — a growing number of visionaries are not just proposing changes but actively living them. Why are so many driven to transform our world? What deep-seated motivations guide their actions? These questions were at the core of our series, leading us to engage with nearly 40 thinkers and doers who are reshaping the very fabric of society.

Through our interviews, a compelling narrative unfolded: most of our guests are propelled not by external rewards or ideological dogma but by an intrinsic calling. This discovery was both startling and enlightening. The very nature within them, a heartfelt drive, is steering their journey towards new ways of being and doing. As we delved deeper, patterns emerged, surprisingly consistent across diverse fields and philosophies. These patterns were not enforced or strategically adopted; they were the natural manifestation of our interviewees' inner drives.

These emergent patterns testify to a shared human essence that seeks more than success—they reveal a collective aspiration for transformation driven by authenticity and a profound connection to life’s rhythms. This introduction sets the stage for exploring how these innate motivations are not only inspiring individual actions but also weaving a new societal fabric, poised to redefine the contours of our collective future.

Emergence of Eight Transformative Patterns

Our journey through the Society 2045 podcast has identified eight transformational patterns, each symbolizing a shift from traditional paradigms to dynamic, interconnected systems. These patterns, revealed in part through our AI-assisted analysis, illustrate the collective yearning for a society that mirrors the organic complexity of life itself:

1. From Rigid Systems to Organic Rhythms of Life

Traditional societal systems impose rigid structures that demand conformity and uniformity, leading to stress and inefficiency as individuals struggle to adapt to one-size-fits-all models that rarely account for human diversity and the complexities of life.

• The move towards organic rhythms of life signifies a transition to systems that are fluid, adaptable, and aligned with the natural flow of life's processes. This approach allows for systems that dynamically adjust and evolve in response to human needs and environmental changes.
• J. Kim Wright, through her pioneering work in transforming legal systems, exemplifies this shift by advocating for approaches that prioritize healing, mediation, and reconciliation over punitive measures, reflecting the organic processes of restoration found in nature.

2. From Linear Story Progression to the Intricate Web of Nature

Societal narratives have long been dominated by linear progressions, which simplify complex life stories into straightforward, predictable pathways that often overlook the rich interdependencies and the chaotic, non-linear nature of real-world systems.

• Recognizing life as an intricate web reflects an understanding of the world as a dynamic network of interrelations, akin to ecological systems where diverse entities interact in complex and often unpredictable ways.
• Jose Leal and Alicia Castillo Holley bring this pattern to life through their discussions on societal movements and creative ecosystems, illustrating how deeply intertwined and mutually influential our actions and life paths can be.

3. From Impersonality of Transactions to Depth of Relationships

Modern economic and social interactions prioritize efficiency and profit over personal connection, leading to a transactional culture where relationships are secondary to outcomes.

• Shifting focus towards the depth of relationships means valuing personal connections and emotional investments as central to all interactions, fostering a culture where trust and mutual respect drive economic and social exchanges.
• Alicia Castillo Holley’s investment strategies emphasize emotional returns, and Kimberly Wiefling’s resource-sharing initiatives champion a community-first approach, enhancing the relational fabric of business practices.

4. From Exclusivity of Proprietary to Inclusivity of Commons

Traditionally, ownership and control of resources and knowledge have been concentrated in the hands of a few, often leading to exclusivity and restricted access, which can stifle innovation and community development.

• The shift towards the inclusivity of commons advocates for shared access to resources, collaborative management, and open distribution of knowledge. This pattern encourages a community-oriented approach where resources are not owned by a few but stewarded by many, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and mutual benefit.
• Kimberly Wiefling’s promotion of shared resource models exemplifies this transition by encouraging the use of communal assets to benefit the broader community. Similarly, J. Kim Wright’s collaborative legal practices aim to democratize access to justice and legal resources, making them more accessible to all members of society.

5. From Separation of Self and Other to Realization of Interdependence

A prevalent sense of individualism in many societies emphasizes personal success and independence, often at the expense of communal ties and collective welfare, leading to a fragmented societal structure.

• Recognizing our interdependence involves understanding that individual well-being is intrinsically linked to the well-being of the community and the environment. This pattern fosters a culture of collaboration and mutual support, where collective actions are seen as beneficial to personal and environmental health.
• Ted Rau’s work with sociocracy emphasizes community consent and shared leadership, demonstrating how organizational decisions can benefit from collective wisdom. Shariff Abdullah’s advocacy for interconnected societal transformations further underscores this shift, promoting a unified approach to addressing global challenges.

6. From Limitations of Centralized Structures to Freedom of Distributed Ecosystems 

Centralized systems concentrate power and decision-making in a limited number of hands, leading to inefficiencies, slower response times, and lower adaptability to local conditions and needs.

• Moving towards distributed ecosystems advocates for decentralizing authority and empowering local nodes within networks, whether these are communities, organizations, or social groups. This approach enhances responsiveness, encourages innovation at multiple levels, and allows for more tailored solutions to local challenges.
• Rick Smyre’s community-based networks, which focus on local autonomy and innovation, exemplify how governance and business models can adapt more dynamically to the community's needs. Ted Rau’s application of sociocracy in organizations decentralizes power, enabling individuals at all levels to contribute to decision-making.

7. From Projection of Career to Dance of Purpose

Traditional career paths are often linear and defined by external success metrics such as position, salary, and titles. This approach can lead to a disconnect between individual values and daily work, making professional life feel like a series of steps to climb rather than a fulfilling journey.

• The transition to a 'Dance of Purpose' involves redefining work not as a mere career ladder to be climbed but as an expression of personal drives and passions. It emphasizes doing work that not only provides for material needs but also fulfills a sense of purpose and contributes meaningfully to the community.
• Shariff Abdullah transformed from practicing law to focusing on community-oriented missions, embodying a career that aligns with deeper societal values. Kim Wright's shift towards integrative law practices further demonstrates this pattern, where professionals adapt their careers to incorporate healing and holistic approaches that resonate with their personal values.

8. From Static Forecasts of Predictive Models to Fluid Adaptability of Dynamic Realities

Many traditional planning and forecasting models rely on static assumptions and attempt to predict future events with a high degree of certainty. This often leads to rigid structures that struggle to adapt to new information or unexpected changes, reducing their effectiveness in rapidly changing environments.

• Embracing the fluidity of dynamic realities involves acknowledging the inherent uncertainty of the future and adapting flexibly to emerging trends and information. This approach fosters resilience and allows individuals and organizations to pivot quickly in response to new challenges and opportunities.
• Doug Breitbart’s advocacy for adaptive planning and Rick Smyre’s focus on community-based future preparedness initiatives exemplify this shift. Both highlight the importance of being open to continuous learning and adaptation, rather than adhering strictly to predefined plans.

A Heartfelt Thank You

To all those who participated in our interviews and to everyone striving to improve our world, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your insights, passion, and dedication are the driving forces behind the heart-driven transformations we are privileged to witness and share through Society 2045. Your efforts inspire hope and action toward a future shaped by authenticity, connection, and profound human essence. Thank you for being the change-makers leading us into a new era.

Next Steps: Weaving a Collective Narrative

Our next step is to weave a story of what could be, as we envision a future where these transformative patterns have significantly altered our society. We acknowledge that such a transformation will take time, many decades, but given the growing number of people actively working to advance these changes in their respective domains, we are hopeful. We hope to see significant progress toward this new societal vision by 2045.

We invite those interested in participating in this narrative to join us. Your contributions, whether personal stories or visions of the impact your work is making are invaluable. Together, we can create a compelling and inclusive narrative that predicts and inspires the transformative shifts we hope to see in the world.

Please contact Jose Leal via LinkedIn to participate in this transformative work.

Some Good News About AI & Climate?

by Gil Friend

The conversation about “artificial intelligence” (which my wife and muse has long insisted should more accurately be called “simulated intelligence”) is full of apprehension and possibility. A tool more significant than fire. Computers taking over the world. Concerns over trust, hallucination, IP, privacy, recursivity (as AIs inevitably start training on AI output), energy consumption. Oh, and that other kind of power, as new tech giants emerge on the economic landscape…this time not just monetizing our attention but our very words and thoughts.

Fear and excitement are physiologically identical, we’re told, and we seem to have plenty of both. AIs are coming for your job, we’re told. Or as Scott Galloway puts it, “People who know how to work with AIs are coming for your job.”

Much of the conversation in the sustainability world has focused on the voracious and rapidly growing energy appetite of current AI technology. (Somehow blind to the __ that the price, performance, and energy footprint of new technologies often changes dramatically as we ride the learning curve and as penetration grows.)

Peter Leyden, a confessed techno-optimist, hosted an evening at the San Francisco Ferry Building two weeks ago to explore a different question “Can AI accelerate progress on energy and climate?” What might be possible, in other words, if we turn the unprecedented pattern recognition capabilities of AI, and its ability to iteratively test millions (trillions?) of hypotheses at blinding speed, not only to challenges like medical diagnosis and pharmaceutical innovation but to challenges like Factor 10—or or Factor 100!—innovation in data center design, electric grid efficiency and stability, transportation system optimization, building design, and more? (Including, ahem, AI energy consumption.)

The atmosphere was a bit breathless at times, as folks from Google, Microsoft, Stanford, MIT, OtherLab, and a bunch of startups you’ve never heard of laid out their visions and their wares. But it opened a window to a very different sort of exploration than what we’re seeing in the popular press. Some very big things are moving very fast. (Peter hasn’t posted the videos yet; I’ll share them with you on my LinkedIn once he does.)

Architect John Picard put the evening to bed:

“As humans we’re not gonna get it done. We need tools that can see things we can’t see.”

So, yes, I’ve stepped into the fast-moving river! (To be continued…)

So This A.I. & I Walked Into a Bar…

by Gil Friend

As many of you know, I’ve been focusing lately on providing 1:1 coaching for leaders and emerging leaders—helping executives, founders, investors, creators, activists—especially people committed to a world that works—have more impact, success, sanity, and joy.

It’s been exceptionally valuable for my clients—one of whom called our work together “one of the best business investments I’ve made, ever”—and deeply gratifying for me. But the limits of client budgets and my availability mean that I can only serve a few people in this direct way. (If you might be one of them, let’s talk!) So I’ve been exploring how to share my experience, perspectives, and insights more widely—and less expensively. Which has brought me to this experiment, which I’d like to share with you now.

For the last six months, Alex Kladitis and I have been hard at work in an AI sandbox, training, testing and refining a generative language model trained on my writing and speaking on “strategic sustainability,” and anonymized conversations with many of my coaching clients.

Why? To learn by doing, which is often the best way for me to learn. To explore how to make my 50+ years of experience, perspective, and insights on the sustainability/regeneration/business/transformation front lines more widely and richly available. To see whether we can make a useful version of the experience of working with me directly—as an executive coach and strategic advisor—available to more people than I could ever work with one-on-one.

I’ve learned a ton—both about what this fast-moving technology can—and can’t—do, and, to my surprise, about what and how I do what I do, too.

There’s plenty more refining to do (and probably always will be) but we’ve decided that it’s time for early release of this AI synthesis/simulation of me. We’re still loading content and refining how it works, but you can take it for a spin here. (And build your own here!)

I asked it for an explanation of what it is and what it does:

“What is ‘ontological/ecological/strategic executive coaching?’ How does it differ from other coaching? Why might I want it? How might it help me? “

Here’s how it responded:

“Ontological/ecological/strategic executive coaching integrates deep understanding of being (ontology), interconnected systems (ecology), and purposeful action (strategy) to enhance leadership effectiveness. Unlike traditional coaching, which often focuses on specific skills or goals, this approach fosters profound shifts in awareness and capability, aligning personal and organizational actions with broader ecological realities and ethical imperatives. You might seek this if you aim to lead with greater clarity, impact, and alignment with global sustainability. It helps by transforming your foundational assumptions and actions, enabling you to navigate complex challenges innovatively and ethically.”

Pretty tight, right?!

So try it out. Work it hard! Use it as your personal coach and advisor—as though you were in an actual conversation with me. Ask “me” anything, 24/7. My main suggestion to you: Engage it as a conversation partner, with plenty of back and forth, not as an oracle or one-trick pony. My only request of you: Please give me your frank assessment of your experience, and your suggestions for how to improve it.

Because my intention here isn’t artificial intelligence, nor even simulated intelligence, but something more like “augmented intelligence”—helping us all become smarter and more effective at the work we need to do to meet the challenges we face.

Bodhidharma

by Jack Park

Kramers DC

by Peter Kaminski

My wife Johanne and I were visiting DC earlier this week, and we got together with Stacey Druss, Mike Nelson, and Michael Lennon for a wonderful OGM-style conversation at Kramers, an iconic bookstore and cafe in Washington D.C.'s Dupont Circle neighborhood.

Livorno, Italy

by Ken Homer

Fall 1972–Meeting Plant Medicine

by Ken Homer

I was 15 and hanging out with my friends
They all smoked pot but I wasn't ready yet
I'd been raised to be very afraid of drugs
the information I'd been fed told me
that l'd either become a hopeless addict
or lose my mind if I ever smoked pot
But l had been around my older sister
when she got high and I noticed that
when she got stoned she was nice to me
(An exceedingly rare occurrence that)
which made smoking it of interest to me

I lived in Brunswick Maine a stone's throw
from the Androscoggin River which back In
the '70s was terribly fouled by the S. D.
Warren paper company upstream from us
SDW discharged so much pollution that
the river water was brownish-black and a
sickly yellow foam floated on its surface
It coated anything it touched and was not
easily cleaned off when you got home
You wouldn't want to eat anything from
the Androscoggin in those days and it
made me sad to know that in earlier times
it was home to an abundance of aquatic
life that sustained the Indigenous tribes
and the native animals that lived
near its banks for countless centuries

Some days the water smelled so fetid
you didn't want to go near the river
Other days it wasn't too terrible
I was just glad we didn't live upstream

Brunswick lay on one side of the river
Topsham rose up on a hill on the other
A bridge downtown handled most traffic
Another nearer to me carried freight trains
the lower level could accommodate cars
but it was in disrepair with a 90° turn at one
end and I could hear cars driving over the
creaky boards at all hours of the day
The car level has since been removed

A pedestrian bridge also spanned the river
That bridge was designed and built by
none other than the John A. Roebling Co.
The same guy who built the Brooklyn Bridge
Everyone calls it: The Swinging Bridge
because it swings when the wind blows
which is disconcerting for many people
I knew people who refused to walk on it
My favorite time to use it was in the Spring
when winter's thaw would raise the level
of the Androscoggin to within inches of
the floor of the swinging bridge The winter
runoff meant the water was much cleaner
It was a rush to stand on that bridge with a
raging torrent just inches below your feet

I was walking that bridge in a thunderstorm
when one tower was struck by lightning
There was a blinding flash and a huge
crashing of thunder all around me
Blue-white shards of electricity danced on
the supporting cables on either side of me
The smell of ozone stung my nostrils
Every hair on my body stood on end
I seriously thought my life was about to end
But the tower had grounded the strike
The cables carried a non-lethal discharge
I touched no metal on the wooden floor
Shaken and stirred I lived to tell the tale

The banks on the Topsham side of the river
are gentler than on the Brunswick side
There's a small island just off shore near the
bridge we accessed it via a fallen tree and
some strategically located boulders being
Always careful not to step in the foul water
My friends and I used to haunt this island
We'd hang out by the water's edge where
we'd throw rocks smoke cigarettes and
practice being juvenile delinquents
(I'm sorry to say we were too good at it)

One of my friends was a minor dealer
He was good for nickel and dime bags
My friends would offer me pot but I refused
After numerous outings to the island one
day they finally convinced me to try it
I did and absolutely nothing happened
But they kept pressuring me and I kept at it
Much to my surprise one day it worked

I wasn't aware that I was high at first
I took a few hits and felt nothing
Then I wandered away from the group
and suddenly the world seemed to grow
both softer and sharper at the same time
Light and shadows took on greater depth
My breathing slowed as my mind shifted
My sense of being in a body expanded
My proprioception opened to a larger field
Inner and outer space seemed to blend
yet simultaneously became more distinct
Time felt as fluid as the water flowing by
Both sounds and colors were more vibrant
All my senses felt sharper and keener

I looked up at the trees around me
(An image I carry to this day)
Maine is famous for its tall pine trees
I was in a cluster of them and the sun
was shining down through their needles
It was as if warm fingers caressed my face
The sky appeared to be a deeper blue
than it had been just a few minutes before

The sound of the river rushing by washed
over me and washed through me
The way music does in a concert hall
The trees spoke to me of their rootedness
The sky offered me its vast spaciousness
With closed eyes I could feel with certainty
that the rocks under my feet were carrying
on a fascinating dialogue with my bones

All at once I laughed a big loud long laugh
A laugh that seemed to come up out
of the ground-direct from Gaia Herself
It rose up through me exploding into gales
of pure mirth as if l'd finally understood the
punchline to a rollicking good joke
I rejoined my friends who were all quite
delighted that I had finally managed to
catch a buzz Now do you see why we
smoke? I had to admit it was a lovely thing
and contrary to the myths I didn't become
an addict nor did llose my mind and
suddenly turn into a drooling idiot
That was my introduction to the magic of
plant medicine l've used that medicine in
both skillful and irresponsible ways over the
last 50+ years and l'm a better person for it

There've been some incredibly intense
periods of daily use and times where I
didn't touch it for years on end I've had
experiences both mundane and mind-
blowing and from speaking with others l've
learned that this plant medicine affects
people in a wide variety of ways

I do plant medicine less frequently these
days and the delivery vehicle tends to be
edibles When I commune with plant
medicine I bring an attitude of reverence
to it I take time to thank it and ask it for
help I treat it as medicine not as an
escape (Which it was for many years)

I find I am nearly always rewarded with
an expanded sense of being alive Of
wonder and joy and awe at life It fills me
with good humor and contentment
A sense of harmony unites my body-mind
I feel and sense a different way of being
a different way of thinking and feeling
It helps me get my mind around problems
Insights stay with me and inform me
long after its effects fade away
I get a sense of deepened connection
to Gaia to my ancestors and a reminder
that my job is to be a good ancestor
to those who will walk the Earth after me

Ken Homer • March 2024

Thank you for reading! The next edition will be published on 5 June 2024. Email Pete with suggested submissions.

Grateful appreciation and many thanks to Charles Blass, Patti Cobian, Gil Friend, Ken Homer, Jose Leal, Jack Park, and George Pór for their kind contributions to this issue.