A FEELING FOR THE FUTURE - THE PROCESS OF CHANGE AS EXPLORED BY POLAK,FRED,L. AND MCCLINTOCK,BARBARA

Fred. L. Polak explored the mechanisms of social change in terms of '' future-visions'' held by a community. The future, says Polak, particip ates actively in the present, providing part of the context within whi ch today's decisions are made. Barbara McClintock acquired her insight s in maize genetics by developing ''a feeling for the organism.'' New insights, she maintains, emerge through a mutual relationship between researcher and subject. Though scholars in different fields, both ackn owledge the power of images in the creative process. There is a differ ence in the extent to which each scientist perceives this power to be available to create new ideas.