From: ml (mbtlehn@ix.netcom.com)
Date: Fri Jul 30 2004 - 16:43:43 BST
Paul / David:
I may have missed an entire "back channel" in an earlier discussion, if so
apologies, but there is a glimmer of something that I am seeing in your
discussion that brings back recall of a synthesis that struck me the last
time I read ZMM/Lila. Some time prior I became fascinated with Complex
Adaptive Systems, Emergent Systems, and Evolving or self-modifying systems.
The property of Emergence seems to manifest in these related types of
systems. Emergence is an unexpectedly complex behavior exhibited by a
system that possesses or is constrained by a simple rule set. (I have seen
the term emergent used by some in a way that is consistent with this and
others seem to bypass that notion in favor of a more simply one that
indicate becoming or arriving.)
It seems that the thread appearing in some of this "metaphysics of free
enterprise - End game" discussion is pointing to this same insight. At any
evolutionary level, the Dynamic Quality will appear to associate itself with
Emergence and the Static Quality will become all other systems and the
foundation for or the opportunity for other Emergences - not yet manifest.
So, just to set my thinking in order, here is an attempt at MoQ stated as a
function of emergence.
However the physical phenomena of mass and energy begin, become, or exist,
the changing states of each begin to organize and respond each to the other
in attributes along gradients.
As physical evolution and organization evolves in the turbulence and eddies
of entropy and complexities aggregate and chemistry accretes, there are
natural examples of long and short-lived phenomena and systems. Those
physical systems, which show the most emergence and duration, have the
potential to become something more interesting in behavior and
manifestation.
One such, based on carbon chemistry in a particular set of conditions, can
be described by later manifestations of that system as "Organic Life." The
explosive diversity of niches created and exploited by the members of
organic life offer manifold strengths and strategies. Organic life when
examined along one particular vector of analysis, information processing,
can be found to have highly variable capacity and demonstrate strong
emergence.
Strong tropic clarity and system wide modification seems to
characterize those life forms most capable of conversion of
mass and energy into potential energy (Plants).
The characteristic of Immediacy of Response to gradients is
shared by the more motile forms (lower Bio-phagic and saprophytic).
Ability to process larger amounts of information more quickly and
abstractly model potential affective behavior of other systems
(Herbivores).
Ability to abstractly model affective behavior conditionally, utilize
physical parameters differentially, coordinate between other
aware individuals, and develop new individual strategies.
(Carnivores / Omnivores)
Each level of increased awareness seems to generate and depend on amounts of
excess awareness of an ever larger perceptual universe. The Emergence in
Herbivore - Carnivore - Omnivore of levels of complex behaviors oriented
towards others of like kind becomes most intensively dynamic for behaviors
termed now as Social.
Social systems evolve to require more time, effort, learning, and energy
from individuals. These systems demonstrate high adaptability and evolution
towards survival in the face of challenge and competition from other
systems, constraints, and events. As the "foot print" of social systems
spreads, the most dynamic behavior is found in the most emergent cultural
situations. One extremely dynamic set of behaviors seems to abstract the
behavior and meaning of social systems beyond simple individual or group
action. This set of highly emergent behavior is referred to as intellect.
I
ntellect can process, manipulate, communicate, replicate, and affect social
behavior without significant physical or social action. As social systems
before it, intellectual systems evolve, adapt, and become ever more complex
and detailed. Whole schools of endeavor and specialization spread
dynamically along with the static accumulations that accompany incomplete or
supporting evolutionary steps.
Now to step back for a moment, each level of evolution that has emerged from
the level before, becomes less constrained and capable of variation that is
baroque and rococo in flavor compared to the level below.
However, now that we see the Characteristic of Emergence as the spoor of
Dynamic Quality, we can actively choose to pursue the dynamic 'vector'
without getting caught up in the more static turbulence, the interesting,
but insignificant baroque and rococo 'decoration' of intellect. We can aim
at the gap in intellect where the next level will realize itself in
emergence beyond intellect.
So, we have ZEN trying to quiet the mind by showing that most of the
function of intellection is caught up in the seductive Static Decoration of
low quality. It seems that there is a way to move beyond the intellectual,
in the experience of others, or at least to swim in the existing current of
the dynamic and avoid the rococo shoals. Such 'techniques' seem to seek to
align the physical, biologically, in the milieu of the social, through the
intellect towards the dynamic, transcending the static patterns of all.
CLARITY? Evolution?
Unfortunately as a group we seem to allow such insights to DEVOLVE into
religions, through which we slip into biological and social tyranny. Oops,
our bad!
I'm sure I am missing pieces.thoughts?
(other than we seem to have passsed out of free enterprise) Whew!
thanks--mel
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