Mitch Resnick, one of the organizers of the building blocks conference which is here in progress at the MIT Media Lab, describes the five dimensions that make a good building block (we're talking LEGO blocks and more):

• Embody granularity - Small size and scale.
• Connect with each other - Good building blocks are defined by the quality of the connections they can make between each other. Lego blocks, for example, rely on system of studs and tubes.
• Can be recombined - Can be combined or nested to create larger and larger building blocks as a way to contain and manage complexity.
• Change the way you think about a domain - If you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail. If you work in blocks, the world looks like a grid. These are not necessarily good situations.
• Support play - Good building blocks must support exploration, play and tinkering.

Throughout the day, various presenters will talk about building blocks for atoms, digital bits, genes, molecules and even ideas (memes). These researchers are looking for innovative ways to incorporate building block structures into products, processes and organizations.

- mike lee - cambridge, ma