Is truth complicated or simple? Do we look at the sky and see 'things' that simply aren't there? Descriptive Words? Is human behaviour so subconsciously 'automatic' we fail to notice that we are always failing to notice 'how' we actually do, being human? And is humanity sleepwalking towards the Abyss because we are a self-hypnotically stupid species? Out of touch, with reality?
Confused about the nature of reality, by the auto-suggestion power of memory? Are you comprehensively prone to Self-Deception Iain? Conditioned subconsciously to prefer vital lies to simple truths, by the primacy of affect-regulation?
"At this point in my reflections it appeared to me that the whole adventure of man up to our time should be divided into two very different phases, the first being comparable to that period of haphazard groping, of putting out and withdrawing feelers in formless surroundings, of bedazzlement, of sorties into the illimitable, which is the history of the child in the chaos of his first experiences. But then a certain order sets in; a new era begins. Actions in finite, well-determined, clearly delimited, abundantly and powerfully linked surroundings do not have the same characteristics or the same consequences as they had in a formless and undefined world."
(foreword to 'The Outlook for Intelligence', part 1 of 'History and Politics', Bollingen XLV)
I come across resonances like this *all the time*, thought to share this one. I am deeply ambivalent about internet so-called 'conversation', and yet ... noticed you've decided to engage *a bit* here on substack lately, and I've always admired your manner and manners, and so I write this comment.
Also, I own TMWT, but didn't bother to check for a Valéry reference... As I say, I come across these *all the time*, littered throughout literature. Others that come to mind, which I don't recall *explicitly* being referred to by yourself, but which may be of interest to you, are mythologist Dumézil's 'Mitra and Varuna', on the primordial existence of parallel ways of representing kingship. (Please look into this one if you haven't - sheds light, I assure you.)
And then, Stephen Talbott's ongoing project ("date of the current draft: december, 2024...") "Organisms and Their Evolution: Agency and Meaning in the Drama of Life" https://bwo.life/bk/index.htm
(And do you cite Denis Walsh, 'Organisms, Agency, and Evolution' in TMWT?
I forget! If not, that's a good one, too.)
Then, as an afterthought, there are the few writings I have thrown up into awkward being. I apologize that these may be able to detain, but not to reward, a patient scholarly intellect such as your own.
Hello, could it be that 99% of models intending to explain reality fail, not because of their Left hemisphere scientifical orientation - but because the aggregation of elements actually simply don't sufficiently match reality?
My right brain thanks you Iain! My left brain is wondering what happened to Extracts 9, 10 & 11?
Lol figured it out.
This is ch 12 final extract, not extract 12.
Aha. Thanks Rob. My initial comment just proves the validity of Iain’s research about the limitations of the left brain!
Thank you. It resonates with me. Ordered the set.
Is truth complicated or simple? Do we look at the sky and see 'things' that simply aren't there? Descriptive Words? Is human behaviour so subconsciously 'automatic' we fail to notice that we are always failing to notice 'how' we actually do, being human? And is humanity sleepwalking towards the Abyss because we are a self-hypnotically stupid species? Out of touch, with reality?
Confused about the nature of reality, by the auto-suggestion power of memory? Are you comprehensively prone to Self-Deception Iain? Conditioned subconsciously to prefer vital lies to simple truths, by the primacy of affect-regulation?
Valéry writes:
"At this point in my reflections it appeared to me that the whole adventure of man up to our time should be divided into two very different phases, the first being comparable to that period of haphazard groping, of putting out and withdrawing feelers in formless surroundings, of bedazzlement, of sorties into the illimitable, which is the history of the child in the chaos of his first experiences. But then a certain order sets in; a new era begins. Actions in finite, well-determined, clearly delimited, abundantly and powerfully linked surroundings do not have the same characteristics or the same consequences as they had in a formless and undefined world."
(foreword to 'The Outlook for Intelligence', part 1 of 'History and Politics', Bollingen XLV)
I come across resonances like this *all the time*, thought to share this one. I am deeply ambivalent about internet so-called 'conversation', and yet ... noticed you've decided to engage *a bit* here on substack lately, and I've always admired your manner and manners, and so I write this comment.
Also, I own TMWT, but didn't bother to check for a Valéry reference... As I say, I come across these *all the time*, littered throughout literature. Others that come to mind, which I don't recall *explicitly* being referred to by yourself, but which may be of interest to you, are mythologist Dumézil's 'Mitra and Varuna', on the primordial existence of parallel ways of representing kingship. (Please look into this one if you haven't - sheds light, I assure you.)
And then, Stephen Talbott's ongoing project ("date of the current draft: december, 2024...") "Organisms and Their Evolution: Agency and Meaning in the Drama of Life" https://bwo.life/bk/index.htm
(And do you cite Denis Walsh, 'Organisms, Agency, and Evolution' in TMWT?
I forget! If not, that's a good one, too.)
Then, as an afterthought, there are the few writings I have thrown up into awkward being. I apologize that these may be able to detain, but not to reward, a patient scholarly intellect such as your own.
Ahhhh, I have found another favorite author!! So pleased. 🎉🎉🎉 This was a wonderfully rich read. Thank you.
Brilliant, deep and inspiring piece. Thank you 💡
Thank you so much for posting this! The size of TMWT honestly had me dragging my feet - the reading pile is always so tall...
But this one chapter was nothing less than astonishing! I am ordering the TMWT set and looking forward to diving in! Thank you again and best wishes!
Hello, could it be that 99% of models intending to explain reality fail, not because of their Left hemisphere scientifical orientation - but because the aggregation of elements actually simply don't sufficiently match reality?
I learned a great deal! Thank you.