This section (4.1) addresses the participation of systems in communities of people. It explores how this participation is blurred, while creating new sensitivities at the same time. It also raises the issue of systems legal position as witness in communities of practice.

In conclusion, systems are designed to function in specific ways. Their behaviour is witnessed by human beings who may, or may not, understand what is happening. Systems’ capacity to offer larger structures and patterns of data offers new dynamics of reflexivity, which affect human minds and behaviour in new ways that have yet to be explored. Systems participation in human society is very young, and unlike the systems of law for example, fundamental human rights (like the right to not have to incriminate yourself) are not incorporated in the design and organization of systems.