Timespace waves: A hypothetical ongoing process fundamental to communication

Communication is defined by Krippendorf as a process of transmission of structure among the parts of a system which are identifiable in time and space. The main concepts comprising this definition, process, structure, system, time and space are defined, with special attention to time and space.A timespace wave construct, derived from Allport's event-structure theory of behavioral organization, is presented as a hypothetical ongoing process fundamental to communication. In Laszlo's systems view of the world, this construct is the invariance of organization across the components of a system.One implication of the timespace wave construct for educational research is that it subsumes the internal organization of the parts of a system as well as the organization of the processing of a message performed by these parts. The hypothesis may help to correct the current relative neglect of concern for methods and media in instruction and mental skills and moods in cognition. Concepts from non-Euclidena geometry, nuclear physics, eastern mysticism, psychophysics and stimulus-response psychology are cited in support of the hypothesis.The possibility is suggested of using constructs from the theory of electricity as analogies for developing practical timespace wave analytical procedures.The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private ones of the author, and are not to be construed as official or as necessarily reflecting the views of the Department of the Navy. Since submitting this article, the author has retired from the NPRDC; enquiries should be sent to him at 4363 Trias Street, San Diego, CA 92103.