Communicating Complexity

Description

A certain amount of complexity that cannot be reduced. Larry Tesler illustrates this using the metaphor of a waterbed: trying to reduce complexity in one place in a system will cause the complexity to appear elsewhere. Therefore, communicating complexity is a skilful art form that involves identifying, filtering, and designing relevant information for informed discussions. CCA participants and facilitators often need to translate uncertain and technical data into clear, relatable terms. Being aware of cognitive overload and jargon, while distinguishing facts from value judgements in conversations, can help deal with complexity without oversimplifying.

Information design, visual storytelling, and data visualisation are often used to communicate the causes and effects of climate related topics. Bringing in different expertises, including speakers who talk from hands-on experience can help connect with participants. Embodied experiences and physicalisation help make complex issues tangible. In doing so, there is a need to pay attention not to include ungrounded cause/effects. Encouraging critical thinking enables Grasping Things at the Roots, instead of treating symptoms, and to engage in Future Visioning beyond business as usual. All this requires preparation and Getting Everyone on Board in time.

To set the ground for all participants and contributors for the Global Assembly audience-specific information materials and media have been prepared. Also for less well-resourced assembly initiatives, it can be useful to see what can be done and adapt things according to their context and resources. Global Assemby Resources.

Visual communication can increase accessibility and appeal. Thus, for the CCA in South Tyrol a team of designers in collaboration with scientists created a Workbook and posters to be used within the assembly. Also the Final Report in German and Italian used information design to make complexity accessibe.

The Center For Urban Pedagogy is “collaborat[ing] with community organizations, schools, visual designers, and artists to make information about public policies, processes, and systems, accessible.” Knowledge for all through visual communication to facilate self-empowerment was also the aim of Isotype in the 1920s. While Iconoclasistas are more interactive by doing participatory graphic activities for which they are using visual ‘language’ to generate empowering shared knowledge. All these visual tools and ways to collaborate can be adapted to CCAs for not only making knowledge accessible, but also to generate it together, to clarify conflicts and work creatively with complexity.

Information Booklet of the Global Assembly on the climate crisis

How-To & Examples

A certain amount of complexity that cannot be reduced. Larry Tesler illustrates this using the metaphor of a waterbed: trying to reduce complexity in one place in a system will cause the complexity to appear elsewhere. Therefore, communicating complexity is a skilful art form that involves identifying, filtering, and designing relevant information for informed discussions. CCA participants and facilitators often need to translate uncertain and technical data into clear, relatable terms. Being aware of cognitive overload and jargon, while distinguishing facts from value judgements in conversations, can help deal with complexity without oversimplifying.

Information design, visual storytelling, and data visualisation are often used to communicate the causes and effects of climate related topics. Bringing in different expertises, including speakers who talk from hands-on experience can help connect with participants. Embodied experiences and physicalisation help make complex issues tangible. In doing so, there is a need to pay attention not to include ungrounded cause/effects. Encouraging critical thinking enables Grasping Things at the Roots, instead of treating symptoms, and to engage in Future Visioning beyond business as usual. All this requires preparation and Getting Everyone on Board in time.

To set the ground for all participants and contributors for the Global Assembly audience-specific information materials and media have been prepared. Also for less well-resourced assembly initiatives, it can be useful to see what can be done and adapt things according to their context and resources. Global Assemby Resources.

Visual communication can increase accessibility and appeal. Thus, for the CCA in South Tyrol a team of designers in collaboration with scientists created a Workbook and posters to be used within the assembly. Also the Final Report in German and Italian used information design to make complexity accessibe.

The Center For Urban Pedagogy is “collaborat[ing] with community organizations, schools, visual designers, and artists to make information about public policies, processes, and systems, accessible.” Knowledge for all through visual communication to facilate self-empowerment was also the aim of Isotype in the 1920s. While Iconoclasistas are more interactive by doing participatory graphic activities for which they are using visual ‘language’ to generate empowering shared knowledge. All these visual tools and ways to collaborate can be adapted to CCAs for not only making knowledge accessible, but also to generate it together, to clarify conflicts and work creatively with complexity.

Information Booklet of the Global Assembly on the climate crisis

Literature & Sources

Bergstrom, C. T., & West, J. D. (2021). Calling bullshit: The art of skepticism in a data-driven world. Random House Trade Paperbacks.

Muradova, L., Walker, H., & Colli, F. (2020). Climate change communication and public engagement in interpersonal deliberative settings: Evidence from the Irish citizens’ assembly. Climate Policy, 20(10), 1322-1335

Onoriu, C. (2025). Prebunking of Climate Change Conspiracy Theories. In Imagining, Designing and Teaching Regenerative Futures: Art-Science Approaches and Inspirations From Around the World (pp. 407-413). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_conservation_of_complexity

https://makeitclear.eu/ project by Kathrine Böhm