Robert W. Gray, Rochester, New York, USA, Since 1997

Like R. Buckminster Fuller, the Mereon Team is exploring the way that Universe works. For more than a decade a diverse group of researchers, both academic and non-academic, have worked together, exploring Mereon's unique topological dynamics and geometrical architecture.

One specific investigation has been into the Platonic polyhedra emerging and defined through dynamics. As a result of this research a matrix of intersecting polyhedra has been discovered which unifies all the fundamental Platonic polyhedra. This matrix, known as Mereon, shows a way that all the Platonic polyhedra (and other polyhedra) relate to one another in an amazing coordination.  This is similar to Fuller’s investigations into a rational matrix of the polyhedra. Specifically, the Mereon  matrix includes at least 10 Tetrahedra, 5 Cubes, 5 Octahedra, 5 Cube-octahedra (Fuller’s “Vector Equilibrium”), 5 Rhombic Dodecahedra, 1 regular Dodecahedron, 1 Icosahedron and 1 Rhombic Triacontahedron. Fuller’s matrix of polyhedra does not accommodate all these polyhedra into a single matrix. An additional result of exploring the dynamics of The Mereon model involved a complex of multiple intersecting Jitterbugs where it was discovered that unlike the “Jitterbug” motion that Fuller explored, the Mereon model includes Tetrahedron, Octahedron, Icosahedron and the Cube-octahedron positions as well as a position in which the cube and the regular dodecahedron are defined. This is a result that Fuller seems to have been unaware of, but is obvious from the Framework’s dynamics. 

The Mereon Knot brings to mind Fuller’s use of a knot to illustrate the concept of pattern integrity. To paraphrase Fuller: “You are not the knot. You are the pattern integrity defined by the knot.” 

As a direct result of investigators exploring the designs and imagery described by Mereon, connections to fundamental physics have been made. Fuller would certainly have been intrigued by such connections to geometry.

In addition to the investigations into the Mereon geometry and its relations and occurrence in science, the team is acutely aware of the importance of the education of children. Fuller also stressed that education was of critical importance. Using the fundamental dynamics of the polyhedra and the knot, which are the fundamental dynamics of Universe, Dennis developed a simple and effective tool for addressing the social dimensions in education, a methodology that is unique in its recognition and utilization of an inflow, through put and outflow of action and information. She has designed the social process necessary in education around the fundamental concepts necessary for natural dynamic systems to arise. Children participate in BeLonging’s educational “process” in ways that lead them to the implicit learning of dynamics within Nature.  She has also incorporated the Platonic polyhedra and Kepler solids as icons indicating the unique responsibilities required for a system to thrive in order to familiarize children with the basic building blocks of Nature. In doing so, she provides solutions to one of Fuller’s complaints, namely that the scientists and people in general are not familiar with basic structure. BeLonging motivates children toward positive actions and at the same time makes them familiar with the fundamental shapes and names of Nature’s essential building blocks. This application of science to real world needs is critical for the growth and evolution of society.