It could be argued that an approach matures when it is able to track its own evolution and its own dynamics. At this point those most skilled in nonlinear dynamics would seem to be victims of dynamics to which there insights purportedly apply. For a discipline that specializes in understanding bifurcation, it has been remarkably unsuccessful in explaining its own evolution. The drama of the times is the manner in which individuals and groups, whatever their degree of empowerment, are faced with increasing levels of uncertainty. Human values are in flux and subject to challenge.
People have to deal with incompatible valueson a daily basis.
Only in ideal circumstances can explanations be adequately delivered or marketed as products to respond to this condition. In what follows the focus is therefore on how participant observers might envisage responding with greater confidence to seemingly chaotic value situations. The insights of chaos theory are used to suggest ways of structuring experience and response to such situations. Analysis aside, the social sciences have notably failed to contribute much to the actual process of social innovation and community design. This is less true for the arts and other cultural perspectives where some relationship to chaos has always been a theme.