# Powers

**URL:** <http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003>\
**Category:** CSG1999\
**Created:** [October 14, 1999, 2:49am UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003 "1999-10-14T02:49:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 14\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Philip\_Runkel](http://discourse.iapct.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/8dc957/32.png) [@Philip\_Runkel](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/Philip_Runkel)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 1999, 2:49am UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003/1 "1999-10-14T02:49:26Z")

</div>

from Phil Runkel on 13 October 1999:

Dear Bill:

In a moment of musing on the fragility of life, it occurred to me  
that I had set down my admiration, respect, and affection for you  
in only two published places, both of which were constrained by  
narrow purposes. And I do not want one of us to expire before I  
have set down in some public place some further testimonial.  
Therefore this.

As you know, I have been reading your writings and those of your  
followers since 1985. I have told you before how, as I strove to  
understand your view of perception and action, I found my own  
accustomed views undergoing wrenching, unsettling, unhinging,  
even frightening changes. I found myself having to disown  
hundreds, maybe thousands of pages which at one time I had  
broadcast to my peers with pride. I found, too, that as my new  
understanding grew, my previous confusions about psychological  
method, previously a gallimaufry of embarrassments, began to take  
on an orderliness. Some simply vanished, as chimeras are wont to  
do. Others lost their crippling effects when I saw how the  
various methods could be assigned their proper uses -- this is  
what I wrote about in "Casting Nets." For me, the sword that cut  
the Gordian knot -- my tangle of methodological embarrassments --  
was the distinction between counting instances of acts, on the  
one hand, and making a tangible, working model of individual  
functioning, on the other. That idea, which in retrospect seems  
a simple one, was enough to dissipate (after some months of  
emotion-fraught reorganization of some cherished principles and  
system concepts) about 30 years of daily dissatisfaction with  
mainstream methods of psychological research.

The idea that permits making tangible, working models is, of  
course, the negative feedback loop. And that, in turn, requires  
abandoning the almost universally unquestioned assumption by most  
people, including psychologists, of straight-line causation --  
which, in turn, includes the conceptions of beginning and ending.  
Displacing that theoretical baggage, the negative feedback loop  
requires circular causation, with every function in the loop  
performing as both cause and effect. That, in turn, implies  
continuous functioning (beginnings and endings are relegated to  
the convenience of perception at the fifth level). One cannot  
have it both ways. Living creatures do not loop on Mondays and  
straight-line on Tuesdays. They do not turn the page with loops  
while reading the print in linear cause-to-effect episodes.  
William of Occam would not approve.

The loop, too, is a simple idea. I don't say it is easy to  
grasp. I remember the difficulty I had with it in 1985. I mean  
it is a simple idea once you can feel the simultaneity of its  
functioning.

You did not invent the loop. It existed in a few mechanical  
devices in antiquity, and came to engineering fruition when  
electrical devices became common. Some psychologists even wrote  
about "feedback." But the manner in which living organisms make  
use of the feedback loop -- or I could say the manner in which  
the feedback loop enabled living creatures to come into being --  
that insight is yours alone. That insight by itself should be  
sufficient to put you down on the pages of the history books as  
the founder of the science of psychology. I am sure you know  
that I am not, in that sentence, speaking in hyperbole, but in  
the straightforward, common meanings of the words. In a decade  
or two, I think, historians of psychology will be naming the year  
1960 (when your two articles appeared in \_Perceptual and Motor  
Skills\_) as the beginning of the modern era. Maybe the  
historians will call it the Great Divide. The period before 1960  
will be treated much as historians of chemistry treat the period  
before Lavoisier brought quantification to that science.

Using the negative feedback loop as the building-block of your  
theory also enabled you to show how mathematics could be used in  
psychological theorizing. (I spent a few years, long ago,  
reading here and there in the journals of mathematical  
psychology. I found that most articles were actually dealing  
with statistics.) Your true use of numbers has made it possible  
at last to test theory by the quantitative degree of approach, in  
the behavior of each individual, to the limits of measurement  
error, as in other sciences. This incorporation of mathematical  
theorizing was another of your contributions to the discipline.

But even making a science possible was not enough to fill the  
compass of your vision. You saw the unity of all aspects of  
human perception and action. You saw that there was not a  
sensory psychology over here, a cognitive over there, a  
personality in this direction, a social in that, and so on, but  
simply a psychology. You gathered every previous fragment into  
one grand theoretical structure -- the neural hierarchy. As you  
say, the nature of the particular levels is not crucial. What is  
crucial is the enabling effect of organization by levels -- the  
enabling of coordination among actions of all kinds. Previously  
disparate psychologies with disparate theories can now all begin  
with the same core of theoretical assumptions. Though it will  
take a long time to invent ways of testing the functioning of the  
hierarchy at the higher levels, I find it exhilarating to realize  
that you and others have already built models having two or three  
levels organized in the manner of hierarchical control and that  
the models actually work.

The neural hierarchy is far more than a listing of nice-sounding  
categories. The theory itself tells how we can recognize the  
relatively higher and lower placements of levels. It tells us,  
too, some of the kinds of difficulties to be anticipated in doing  
research at the higher levels. That kind of help from early  
theory is a remarkable achievement.

For any one of those three momentous insights, I think you  
deserve a bronze statue in the town square. To put all three  
together in one grand system concept is the kind of thing that  
happens in a scientific field once in a century or so. I am  
lucky to be alive when it is happening. How lucky I was in 1978  
to have my hands on the \_Psychological Review\_, volume 85, number  
5!

I do not want to give the impression that I think I have acquired  
a deep understanding of PCT. After 15 years of reading,  
conversing, writing, and thinking about PCT almost every day, I  
still feel the way Lewis and Clark must have felt when they began  
rowing their boats up the Missouri River. I know the general  
nature of the territory, but I know that much of what I will come  
upon will be astonishing and baffling, and I know that every mile  
of the journey will be hard going. As I work on the book I am  
writing, much of which will be elaborations of the three simple  
ideas I set out above, I find time and again that I must take an  
hour or a day to struggle with ways of keeping the words as  
simple as the idea. The ramifications of those simple ideas are  
multifarious, intertwined, and subtle. As I set forth to  
describe a complication in the way those ideas work together, I  
find now and again that I have opened further regions of  
complexity for which I am wholly unprepared. Then I must take an  
hour or a day or a week to find my way back to firm footing. I  
do not feel that I am trudging along a prescribed path. I feel  
that I am taking every step with caution, but also with awe and  
exhilaration as I wonder what I might come to understand. But I  
am sure I have only an inkling of the exploratory feelings you  
have had; you have guided your footfalls by experimentation, and  
I have guided mine only with thinking.

To those who know you, Bill, you are a treasure not only as a  
theorist and researcher, but also as a person. In our very first  
conversation by letter in 1985, I learned about your generosity.  
Without any hesitation, you spent eight single-spaced pages  
answering my ten questions of 23 July of that year about your  
1978 article in the Psychological Review and four more  
single-spaced pages answering my letter of 9 September. In my  
experience with academic social scientists, my questions have  
usually been ignored or sometimes answered in three or four lines  
or by a reprint or two -- or sometimes just a reference to a  
publication -- without any personal words at all. I don't mean  
all my letters have drawn that sort of disappointing response; I  
have formed several happy professional friendships by letter.  
But you were more generous with thought, time, and paper than  
any.

You have bestowed thought, time, paper, and computer screens, not  
to speak of hospitality, on everyone who has evinced the  
slightest interest in PCT. You have understood the internal  
upheavals suffered by those of us who try to comprehend this  
strange new world -- our intellectual foot-dragging and our  
anguished obsequies muttered at the graves of our long-cherished  
beliefs. You have been patient with misunderstanding,  
persevering in the face of disdain, forbearing of invective, and  
modest under praise.

In all of this, you have been aided immeasurably by the  
intelligence, stamina, and love of Mary.

I owe you, for your help to me, a great debt. You have given me  
a way, after all these years, of laying hold of a system concept,  
a psychology, that is more than a grab-bag and a tallying. You  
have given me a way to set down thoughts that will come to more  
than a mere rearrangement of what every other psychologist would  
say. To join you and your other followers in the effort to make  
PCT available to others is, for me, here in my last years, a joy,  
a privilege, and a comfort.

Thanks, brother.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kenneth\_Kitzke\_Value](http://discourse.iapct.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenneth\_Kitzke\_Value](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/Kenneth_Kitzke_Value)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 1999, 1:48pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003/2 "1999-10-14T13:48:52Z")

</div>

Phil,

Please allow me to endorse your elegant tribute to a man and his work.  
Thanks for writing what I too perceive; but in prose which this inept  
engineer simply cannot muster.

I am pleased and proud to have known William T. Powers. He has influenced my  
life in dramatic ways. I am most grateful to him. Consistent with your  
assessment of him, he recently referred to me as "a new and valuable friend."  
I am not sure what value he could possibly find in me, but the words say  
more about him than me.

I pray he stills holds this reference perception, despite my recent  
challenges to some of his speculations. His scientific discoveries in  
psychology and his character both make his life special among men. And, Mary  
has been at his side helping him all the while. This touches my heart.

While I suspect mankind will someday conclude about Bill Powers something  
like what you have written, I can say without hesitation that on October 14,  
1999, a few days short of my 56th birthday, I share your perception about  
him--and it feels good, very good.

Kenny Kitzke

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bill\_Powers1](http://discourse.iapct.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bill\_Powers1](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/Bill_Powers1)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 1999, 3:53pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003/3 "1999-10-14T15:53:36Z")

</div>

[From Bill Powers (991014.0946 MDT)]

Phil Runkel on 13 October 1999--

Your post left me in tears, Phil, my brother in this adventure. How petty  
you make all our squabbling look! You and I have no time left to waste on  
that. Would that the young realized how little time they have left.

With greatest affection,

Bill P.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bob\_Christensen](http://discourse.iapct.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bob\_Christensen](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/Bob_Christensen)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 1999, 8:49pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003/4 "1999-10-14T20:49:51Z")

</div>

from Bob Christensen (991014.1300 PT)]

> from Phil Runkel on 13 October 1999:

I enjoyed reading your tribute to Bill. I have only been studying PCT for  
two years, and it only took a fraction of that time for me to realize that  
PCT and Bill are quite different from other theories and their proponents.  
Bill's responses are reliably clear and technically sound. I think that one  
of the reasons Bill can give good lengthy answers, aside from being generous,  
is that he has answers to give. So many others attempt answers when they do  
not understand what they are talking about.

At my school, where I am thankfully an alumnus now, there are many  
psychodynamic proponents, and I think their theories are chalk full of sloppy  
thinking. If you ask to many questions or challenge their viewpoints, you  
run the risk of being accused of being to concrete, or having an authority  
problem. Other people are into post modernism, another hodge podge of sloppy  
concepts.

I am glad to have found a forum where answers are given, it is acknowledged  
what is not known, and good challenges are welcomed as opportunities for  
improvements.

I aspire to teach PCT as well. At 31, I have a number of years ahead of me.  
Nevertheless, I understand that time is precious.

In order to teach PCT well I have to understand it better. There are some  
areas that I want to become more clear with. So, I will focus my posts on  
these areas.

Bob C.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Marc\_Abrams3](http://discourse.iapct.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@Marc\_Abrams3](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/Marc_Abrams3)\
**Post date:** [October 15, 1999, 5:26pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003/5 "1999-10-15T17:26:42Z")

</div>

from [Marc Abrams (991015.1321)]

> [From Bill Powers (991014.0946 MDT)]

> How petty you make all our squabbling look! You and I have no time left

to waste on

> that. Would that the young realized how little time they have left.

Truer words were never said. Both of you guys have been fabulous. It's been  
a treat and a privlage to know each of you.

Marc

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DagArchive](http://discourse.iapct.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@DagArchive](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/DagArchive)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 5:11am UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003/6 "2013-12-18T05:11:19Z")

</div>

[From Dag Forssell (2013.12.17 21:10 PST)]

Friends,

With all the recent appreciation of Mandela, his modesty and ability to  
work with one and all, my thoughts turn to to Bill every time.

Bill was not only a genius – I think of him as Galileo for the social  
sciences – but also modest and humble. He was accepting of most  
everyone, no matter how obnoxious. To the best of my understanding, Bill  
simply recognized that others merely were controlling for their  
understanding, such as it was. He almost never took attacks personally.

Much wisdom can come from such insight.

Bill continues to be an inspiration to me and I am glad to know that  
others now can study and benefit from his tireless work across sixty  
years because archives are available and more is being safeguarded. The  
PCT revolution continues.

As we celebrate the holiday season, I keep Bill’s example in mind. I was  
privileged to work with Phil Runkel too. He set a similar example; gentle  
and supportive.

With the new year, I will renew my attention to PCT, websites, promotion  
/ lecture / writing and such. (I have focused on family projects for the  
last three months).

Best wishes and a happy holiday season to all.

Dag

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![FredNickols](http://discourse.iapct.org/user_avatar/discourse.iapct.org/frednickols/32/2645_2.png) [@FredNickols](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/FredNickols)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 12:12pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003/7 "2013-12-18T12:12:39Z")

</div>

[From Fred Nickols (2013.12.18.0710 EST)]

Nicely said, Dag, and very, very true. Bill was a true scholar and a true gentleman. I don’t think I ever met anyone quite like him.

Fred

> **···**
>
> **From:** Dag Forssell [[mailto:csgarchive@PCTRESOURCES.COM](mailto:csgarchive@PCTRESOURCES.COM)]  
> **Sent:** Wednesday, December 18, 2013 12:11 AM  
> **To:** CSGNET@LISTSERV.ILLINOIS.EDU  
> **Subject:** Powers
> 
> [From Dag Forssell (2013.12.17 21:10 PST)]
> 
> Friends,
> 
> With all the recent appreciation of Mandela, his modesty and ability to work with one and all, my thoughts turn to to Bill every time.
> 
> Bill was not only a genius – I think of him as Galileo for the social sciences – but also modest and humble. He was accepting of most everyone, no matter how obnoxious. To the best of my understanding, Bill simply recognized that others merely were controlling for their understanding, such as it was. He almost never took attacks personally.
> 
> Much wisdom can come from such insight.
> 
> Bill continues to be an inspiration to me and I am glad to know that others now can study and benefit from his tireless work across sixty years because archives are available and more is being safeguarded. The PCT revolution continues.
> 
> As we celebrate the holiday season, I keep Bill’s example in mind. I was privileged to work with Phil Runkel too. He set a similar example; gentle and supportive.
> 
> With the new year, I will renew my attention to PCT, websites, promotion / lecture / writing and such. (I have focused on family projects for the last three months).
> 
> Best wishes and a happy holiday season to all.
> 
> Dag

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![\_bara0361](http://discourse.iapct.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/_/da6949/32.png) [@\_bara0361](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/_bara0361)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 1:32pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003/8 "2013-12-18T13:32:58Z")

</div>

What a wonderful message to find on my email this morning, Dag. Of course, Dad is on my mind as well, this being the first Christmas without him. He left such a legacy, there will be much to learn from him for many years to come.

With your permission, I’d like to post this on my Facebook page, although I would not include your name if you so desired.

thank you,

\*barb

> **···**
>
> On Tue, Dec 17, 2013 at 10:11 PM, Dag Forssell [csgarchive@pctresources.com](mailto:csgarchive@pctresources.com) wrote:
> 
> > [From Dag Forssell (2013.12.17 21:10 PST)]
> > 
> > Friends,
> > 
> > With all the recent appreciation of Mandela, his modesty and ability to  
> > work with one and all, my thoughts turn to to Bill every time.
> > 
> > Bill was not only a genius – I think of him as Galileo for the social  
> > sciences – but also modest and humble. He was accepting of most  
> > everyone, no matter how obnoxious. To the best of my understanding, Bill  
> > simply recognized that others merely were controlling for their  
> > understanding, such as it was. He almost never took attacks personally.
> > 
> > Much wisdom can come from such insight.
> > 
> > Bill continues to be an inspiration to me and I am glad to know that  
> > others now can study and benefit from his tireless work across sixty  
> > years because archives are available and more is being safeguarded. The  
> > PCT revolution continues.
> > 
> > As we celebrate the holiday season, I keep Bill’s example in mind. I was  
> > privileged to work with Phil Runkel too. He set a similar example; gentle  
> > and supportive.
> > 
> > With the new year, I will renew my attention to PCT, websites, promotion  
> > / lecture / writing and such. (I have focused on family projects for the  
> > last three months).
> > 
> > Best wishes and a happy holiday season to all.
> > 
> > Dag

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![\_bara0361](http://discourse.iapct.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/_/da6949/32.png) [@\_bara0361](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/_bara0361)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 1:33pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003/9 "2013-12-18T13:33:52Z")

</div>

And thank you also, Fred. I’m pretty blown away to have Dad spoken of so highly, and in such amazing company as Nelson Mandela!

\*b

> **···**
>
> On Wed, Dec 18, 2013 at 6:32 AM, [bara0361@gmail.com](mailto:bara0361@gmail.com) [bara0361@gmail.com](mailto:bara0361@gmail.com) wrote:
> 
> > What a wonderful message to find on my email this morning, Dag. Of course, Dad is on my mind as well, this being the first Christmas without him. He left such a legacy, there will be much to learn from him for many years to come.
> 
> > With your permission, I’d like to post this on my Facebook page, although I would not include your name if you so desired.
> 
> > thank you,
> 
> > \*barb
> 
> On Tue, Dec 17, 2013 at 10:11 PM, Dag Forssell [csgarchive@pctresources.com](mailto:csgarchive@pctresources.com) wrote:
> 
> > [From Dag Forssell (2013.12.17 21:10 PST)]
> > 
> > Friends,
> > 
> > With all the recent appreciation of Mandela, his modesty and ability to  
> > work with one and all, my thoughts turn to to Bill every time.
> > 
> > Bill was not only a genius – I think of him as Galileo for the social  
> > sciences – but also modest and humble. He was accepting of most  
> > everyone, no matter how obnoxious. To the best of my understanding, Bill  
> > simply recognized that others merely were controlling for their  
> > understanding, such as it was. He almost never took attacks personally.
> > 
> > Much wisdom can come from such insight.
> > 
> > Bill continues to be an inspiration to me and I am glad to know that  
> > others now can study and benefit from his tireless work across sixty  
> > years because archives are available and more is being safeguarded. The  
> > PCT revolution continues.
> > 
> > As we celebrate the holiday season, I keep Bill’s example in mind. I was  
> > privileged to work with Phil Runkel too. He set a similar example; gentle  
> > and supportive.
> > 
> > With the new year, I will renew my attention to PCT, websites, promotion  
> > / lecture / writing and such. (I have focused on family projects for the  
> > last three months).
> > 
> > Best wishes and a happy holiday season to all.
> > 
> > Dag

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![FredNickols](http://discourse.iapct.org/user_avatar/discourse.iapct.org/frednickols/32/2645_2.png) [@FredNickols](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/FredNickols)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 1:46pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003/10 "2013-12-18T13:46:33Z")

</div>

You’re quite welcome. When I used “gentleman” to refer to Bill I was thinking of the makeup of that word: Gentle Man.

Fred

> **···**
>
> **From:** [bara0361@gmail.com](mailto:bara0361@gmail.com) [[mailto:bara0361@GMAIL.COM](mailto:bara0361@GMAIL.COM)]  
> **Sent:** Wednesday, December 18, 2013 8:34 AM  
> **To:** CSGNET@LISTSERV.ILLINOIS.EDU  
> **Subject:** Re: Powers
> 
> And thank you also, Fred. I’m pretty blown away to have Dad spoken of so highly, and in such amazing company as Nelson Mandela!
> 
> \*b
> 
> On Wed, Dec 18, 2013 at 6:32 AM, [bara0361@gmail.com](mailto:bara0361@gmail.com) [bara0361@gmail.com](mailto:bara0361@gmail.com) wrote:
> 
> What a wonderful message to find on my email this morning, Dag. Of course, Dad is on my mind as well, this being the first Christmas without him. He left such a legacy, there will be much to learn from him for many years to come.
> 
> With your permission, I’d like to post this on my Facebook page, although I would not include your name if you so desired.
> 
> thank you,
> 
> \*barb
> 
> On Tue, Dec 17, 2013 at 10:11 PM, Dag Forssell [csgarchive@pctresources.com](mailto:csgarchive@pctresources.com) wrote:
> 
> [From Dag Forssell (2013.12.17 21:10 PST)]
> 
> Friends,
> 
> With all the recent appreciation of Mandela, his modesty and ability to work with one and all, my thoughts turn to to Bill every time.
> 
> Bill was not only a genius – I think of him as Galileo for the social sciences – but also modest and humble. He was accepting of most everyone, no matter how obnoxious. To the best of my understanding, Bill simply recognized that others merely were controlling for their understanding, such as it was. He almost never took attacks personally.
> 
> Much wisdom can come from such insight.
> 
> Bill continues to be an inspiration to me and I am glad to know that others now can study and benefit from his tireless work across sixty years because archives are available and more is being safeguarded. The PCT revolution continues.
> 
> As we celebrate the holiday season, I keep Bill’s example in mind. I was privileged to work with Phil Runkel too. He set a similar example; gentle and supportive.
> 
> With the new year, I will renew my attention to PCT, websites, promotion / lecture / writing and such. (I have focused on family projects for the last three months).
> 
> Best wishes and a happy holiday season to all.
> 
> Dag

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dick\_Robertson](http://discourse.iapct.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Dick\_Robertson](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/Dick_Robertson)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 4:13pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003/11 "2013-12-18T16:13:16Z")

</div>

Re Bill’s legacy

Many thanks, Dag, for a timely comment, at this season, on Bill’s gift to the world.

And a thumbs up for Ric, David, and all the others who have not only kept his contribution alive, but continue to expand along the paths he pioneerd.

Dick R

> **···**
>
> On Tue, Dec 17, 2013 at 11:11 PM, Dag Forssell [csgarchive@pctresources.com](mailto:csgarchive@pctresources.com) wrote:
> 
> > [From Dag Forssell (2013.12.17 21:10 PST)]
> > 
> > Friends,
> > 
> > With all the recent appreciation of Mandela, his modesty and ability to  
> > work with one and all, my thoughts turn to to Bill every time.
> > 
> > Bill was not only a genius – I think of him as Galileo for the social  
> > sciences – but also modest and humble. He was accepting of most  
> > everyone, no matter how obnoxious. To the best of my understanding, Bill  
> > simply recognized that others merely were controlling for their  
> > understanding, such as it was. He almost never took attacks personally.
> > 
> > Much wisdom can come from such insight.
> > 
> > Bill continues to be an inspiration to me and I am glad to know that  
> > others now can study and benefit from his tireless work across sixty  
> > years because archives are available and more is being safeguarded. The  
> > PCT revolution continues.
> > 
> > As we celebrate the holiday season, I keep Bill’s example in mind. I was  
> > privileged to work with Phil Runkel too. He set a similar example; gentle  
> > and supportive.
> > 
> > With the new year, I will renew my attention to PCT, websites, promotion  
> > / lecture / writing and such. (I have focused on family projects for the  
> > last three months).
> > 
> > Best wishes and a happy holiday season to all.
> > 
> > Dag

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kenneth\_Kitzke\_Value](http://discourse.iapct.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenneth\_Kitzke\_Value](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/Kenneth_Kitzke_Value)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003/12 "2013-12-18T16:34:41Z")

</div>

Fellow PCTers:

Indeed, Bill displayed a high level of creative genius in his life-long development of PCT as a paradigm shift in the understanding of the behavior of living things. His work has not only inspired me but has affected my first born son. We look at our own behavior, and our relationship through the PCT lens. Because of illness and retirement, I seldom get to apply PCT with the relatively few, intelligent and highly successsful business clients who picked up on many of the key tenants of PCT. So, it is a special treasure to have a son where the unique understandings from PCT can be discussed, enjoyed and live on within my family.

Far more indelible than the legacy of Bill’s mind and knowledge was his humble heart. Having shared moments with him in person elevates him to a legend in my mind. His goal, his high level reference perception, never seemed to be personal fame or fortune. It was for the benefit of mankind and getting along with one another despite cognitive dissonance.

My son, Christopher, also met Bill in person. I feel that his perception of Bill would not have been memorable if he just heard me tell my story of this legend. The man behind the legend is a special gift that goes far beyond his scientific knowledge legacy.

As I look at my 70 years of living, working for and with some very intelligent people, Bill rises to the top ten not just because of what he taught me about behavior, but what he taught me concerning a better way to live together in sweet harmony appreciating people as different living control systems without judgment and retribution for being wrong (not being right or good—like I am.)

Bill was a wise and peaceful man, some high level perceptions that I wish all men could control for successfully in the way this legend did. Rest in peace Bill with much love for your family and your PCT disciples.

Kenny Kitzke

In a message dated 12/18/2013 12:11:32 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [csgarchive@PCTRESOURCES.COM](mailto:csgarchive@PCTRESOURCES.COM) writes:

> **···**
>
> > [From Dag Forssell (2013.12.17 21:10 PST)]
> > 
> > Friends,
> > 
> > With all the recent appreciation of Mandela, his modesty and ability to work with one and all, my thoughts turn to to Bill every time.
> > 
> > Bill was not only a genius – I think of him as Galileo for the social sciences – but also modest and humble. He was accepting of most everyone, no matter how obnoxious. To the best of my understanding, Bill simply recognized that others merely were controlling for their understanding, such as it was. He almost never took attacks personally.
> > 
> > Much wisdom can come from such insight.
> > 
> > Bill continues to be an inspiration to me and I am glad to know that others now can study and benefit from his tireless work across sixty years because archives are available and more is being safeguarded. The PCT revolution continues.
> > 
> > As we celebrate the holiday season, I keep Bill’s example in mind. I was privileged to work with Phil Runkel too. He set a similar example; gentle and supportive.
> > 
> > With the new year, I will renew my attention to PCT, websites, promotion / lecture / writing and such. (I have focused on family projects for the last three months).
> > 
> > Best wishes and a happy holiday season to all.
> > 
> > Dag

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![\_bara0361](http://discourse.iapct.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/_/da6949/32.png) [@\_bara0361](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/_bara0361)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 9:01pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003/13 "2013-12-18T21:01:22Z")

</div>

How wonderful that your son had an opportunity to meet him! I imagine that gave him a very special, personal perspective.

You’re right, it wasn’t about fame or fortune, it was about exploration, discovery, and arriving at correct conclusions; not opinions, but tangible facts. The positive effect he so obviously has had on all of you, and hopefully many more, is the mark of his success, and would have made him so very happy.

Best,

\*barb

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![\_bara0361](http://discourse.iapct.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/_/da6949/32.png) [@\_bara0361](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/_bara0361)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 9:02pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/powers/9003/14 "2013-12-18T21:02:44Z")

</div>

This just popped in to my head… I wonder how many of you had the pleasure of having an “aha!” moment with him, when he’d be explaining something to you, then sit back and watch as the lightbulb came on in your head. Those brown eyes would sparkle, and he’d laugh, and smile with his whole face!

> **···**
>
> On Wed, Dec 18, 2013 at 2:01 PM, [bara0361@gmail.com](mailto:bara0361@gmail.com) [bara0361@gmail.com](mailto:bara0361@gmail.com) wrote:
> 
> > How wonderful that your son had an opportunity to meet him! I imagine that gave him a very special, personal perspective.
> 
> > You’re right, it wasn’t about fame or fortune, it was about exploration, discovery, and arriving at correct conclusions; not opinions, but tangible facts. The positive effect he so obviously has had on all of you, and hopefully many more, is the mark of his success, and would have made him so very happy.
> 
> > Best,
> 
> > \*barb
> 
> > On Wed, Dec 18, 2013 at 9:34 AM, Kenneth Kitzke Value Creation Systems [KJKitzke@aol.com](mailto:KJKitzke@aol.com) wrote:
> > 
> > > Fellow PCTers:
> 
> > > Indeed, Bill displayed a high level of creative genius in his life-long development of PCT as a paradigm shift in the understanding of the behavior of living things. His work has not only inspired me but has affected my first born son. We look at our own behavior, and our relationship through the PCT lens. Because of illness and retirement, I seldom get to apply PCT with the relatively few, intelligent and highly successsful business clients who picked up on many of the key tenants of PCT. So, it is a special treasure to have a son where the unique understandings from PCT can be discussed, enjoyed and live on within my family.
> 
> > > Far more indelible than the legacy of Bill’s mind and knowledge was his humble heart. Having shared moments with him in person elevates him to a legend in my mind. His goal, his high level reference perception, never seemed to be personal fame or fortune. It was for the benefit of mankind and getting along with one another despite cognitive dissonance.
> 
> > > My son, Christopher, also met Bill in person. I feel that his perception of Bill would not have been memorable if he just heard me tell my story of this legend. The man behind the legend is a special gift that goes far beyond his scientific knowledge legacy.
> 
> > > As I look at my 70 years of living, working for and with some very intelligent people, Bill rises to the top ten not just because of what he taught me about behavior, but what he taught me concerning a better way to live together in sweet harmony appreciating people as different living control systems without judgment and retribution for being wrong (not being right or good—like I am.)
> 
> > > Bill was a wise and peaceful man, some high level perceptions that I wish all men could control for successfully in the way this legend did. Rest in peace Bill with much love for your family and your PCT disciples.
> 
> > > Kenny Kitzke
> 
> > > In a message dated 12/18/2013 12:11:32 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [csgarchive@PCTRESOURCES.COM](mailto:csgarchive@PCTRESOURCES.COM) writes:
> 
> > > > [From Dag Forssell (2013.12.17 21:10 PST)]
> > > > 
> > > > Friends,
> > > > 
> > > > With all the recent appreciation of Mandela, his modesty and ability to work with one and all, my thoughts turn to to Bill every time.
> > > > 
> > > > Bill was not only a genius – I think of him as Galileo for the social sciences – but also modest and humble. He was accepting of most everyone, no matter how obnoxious. To the best of my understanding, Bill simply recognized that others merely were controlling for their understanding, such as it was. He almost never took attacks personally.
> > > > 
> > > > Much wisdom can come from such insight.
> > > > 
> > > > Bill continues to be an inspiration to me and I am glad to know that others now can study and benefit from his tireless work across sixty years because archives are available and more is being safeguarded. The PCT revolution continues.
> > > > 
> > > > As we celebrate the holiday season, I keep Bill’s example in mind. I was privileged to work with Phil Runkel too. He set a similar example; gentle and supportive.
> > > > 
> > > > With the new year, I will renew my attention to PCT, websites, promotion / lecture / writing and such. (I have focused on family projects for the last three months).
> > > > 
> > > > Best wishes and a happy holiday season to all.
> > > > 
> > > > Dag