Florian Grond
Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter
Institut für Grundlagenforschung
ZKM Karlsruhe
Native Language: German
16 june 2003
http://basic-research.zkm.de

01. How would you describe the project/s you are currently working on to a non-scientist?
We try to investigate the time evolution of complex systems i.e. systems that consits of compartments, that are highly coupled.

02. Where, as a scientist, do you see the creativity in your work and/or life?
The choice of the topics I am working on is the most creative part in my work.

03. When you embark on research, do you start with a defined goal or does the goal emerge through the process?
One starts with a more or less defined goal, which si important for motivation but the goal changes through the process.

04. With regard to your research, how would you describe the processes and outcomes in terms of the concepts 'natural' and 'artificial'?
There is no distinction between these two concepts in my opinion.

05. Where do you gain inspiration and support for your work?
Inspiration comes mostly through discussion with the members of the group.

06. How are possible applications from your research determined?
Since we are a basic research department we do not think primarily about applications but they happen to turn up through the process of work.

07. Do you share a language with other scientists (across cultures)? If so please describe how this language works.
Languages amongst scientists is mostly mathematics though we try to communicate via visualisation of the phenomea we encounter.

08. Does your work encompass or involve a possible benefit (tangible or intangible) to society? If so, how would you describe this benefit to non-scientists?
Better understanding of the penomena of complex systems is of primary importance in general since it is the only way to understand the macroscopic highly nonlinear world.

09. Would you describe your future world view as pessimistic or optimistic? Why?
Optimistic by nature.

10. Do you believe you share this future world view with other scientists (in your field) or would you describe this view as personal?
Personal.