LETTERS FROM R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER
These letters, from R. Buckminster Fuller to Bob Marshall speak of his delight at the discoveries and graphics of Syndex. He found them so intriguing, he wanted to use them in a third revision of Synergetics.
February 11, 1980Dear Mr. Marshall:
Thank you for your letter and support material on the mandala and the use of prime number 7 in circular unity. As you know, I have a great deal about that in SYNERGETICS number 1, but even more in SYNERGETICS, number 2 on page 460. I couldn't have been more interested in those pictures. The final number which is then the product of all the prime numbers up to 50 which takes care of all the numbers which occur in trigonometry plus the series of second power of all the numbers to fifty are unique and turn around at fifty to return to zero and vice-versa. There is a basic wave running through the second powering of all numbers up to 50 and return(ing) to zero. The wave series (see Column 3, pg. 768, SYN. 1) is 24 integers long. I'm confident that the circle consisting of the 71-integer number shown on page 460 is the number employed by Universe as the comprehensive circular unity by virtue of which all interoperation of all numbers will always come out in whole rational results.
I'm including a xerox of the way in which I arranged that number which discloses considerable symmetry in its componentation.
Warmly, faithfully,
Buckminster Fuller
enc
jb
March 3,1981
Dear Bob Marshall:
Very vigorous applause your very intelligent, scientifically systematic, synchrograph evolved elucidations binomial symmetries, tantalizing manifestations of which prominently published both SYNERGETICS Volumes 1 and 2, which to me clearly related to several fundamentals: firstly, that number behavior of Universe operates independently of arbitrary modular congruence systems employed by varoius [sic] societies and cultures of historical humans, secondly, that nature is always operating inher own modular system of four progressively additive, then progressively subtractive event octaves with a ninth null event altogether consisting of an octave nine system, all of which relate physically to two four vertexed-each tetrahedra as the tuned in or tuned out minimum structural experience of Universe; thirdly, as Plato apparently realized long ago that the failure to include the prime number seven in the comprehensive quotient of cyclic unity rendered physiomathematical epistemology eternally baffling. Plato does not say why he is concerned with the number twenty five twenty, but it is easy to discover as the product of the conventional 360 degrees of a circle being multiplied by the prime number 7, the circle's 360 degrees having included the first three primes to wit, two and three and five, wherefore omission of the seven in the inherently octaved pythagorean physical demonstrations of musical note progressing of tensed strings rendered inherently all irrational. The cyclic calculating referenced to the Babylonianly adopted 360 degrees as the comprehensive quotient of nature's cyclic behaviors.
Your cyclic synchrographing work clarifies and simplifies this whole matter to an epochal degree. I am assuming that you have read both volumes of SYNERGETICS, else you would not have sent the exciting three pages of your work to me, which could not have been as easily accomplished--if at all--without the advent of the electronic computer--the number of calculations involved in exploring each intuitive insight being possibly too much to be accomplished in the long hand method of the B.C. world (Before Calculator). [Editor's note: but this is not so, since the whole work was accomplished without calculator or computer]. At any rate, your work fills me with joy. Would you be willing to have me publish this work in another edition of SYNERGETICS with full credit to you?
Faithfully,
Buckminster Fuller
Excerpt from "HOW LITTLE I KNOW" (for the Saturday Review Series: "What Have I Learned?"), by Buckminster Fuller.
1966.
"Tell me - In five thousand Written words" - Equivalent, at my oral rate, To three quarters of an hour's discourse) "What have you learned -- In your life time," Said Norman Cousins. "That ought to be easy," said I.Three weeks have gone by - I recall that Thirty eight years ago I invented a routine Somewhat similar to Muscle development Accomplished through A day-by-day lifting Of progressively heavier weights. But my new Intellectual routine Dealt with the weightless process Of human thought development Which subject is Known to scholars As epistomology. And I have learned That such words as Epistomology Stop most of humanity From pursuing Such important considerations As the development Of the thought processes. So my new discipline Was invented for dealing Even with the ephemeral Which word means Conceptual but weightless -- As is for instance The concept of circularity. My new strategy required That on successive days I ask myself A progressively larger And more inclusive question Which must be answered Only in terms of Experience. Hearsaids, beliefs, axioms, Superstitions, guesses, opinions Were and are All excluded As answer resources For playing my particular Intellectual development game. However, when lacking Any possible experience clues I saw that it was ineffectual To attempt to answer Such questions as for instance "Why I?" Or "Why - - - Anything?" And because it was my experience That some individuals Proved as persistently faithful In reporting their experiences to me As were my own senses The rules of my game permitted My inclusion of such individuals' Directly reported experiences For use in my progressively Greater and greater Self-questioned. answering.
Robert Marshall, Master Numeronomist 
Iona Miller
Under Synergetic Construction...
Created 7/10/99
Last Updated 10/06/99Web Design by Vickie Webb