Model design inadequacies and future possibilities

Reconciling Symbols of Islam, Judaism and Christianity (Part #12)

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Inadequacies: Closer inspection of the screen shots above, and of the models from which they were generated, reveals a number of imperfections. These derive from:

• the primary objective of "proof of concept" -- in anticipation of later improvements
• limited competence with respect to three-dimensional geometry
• limited competence in use of the 3D software used to produce the models (X3D-Edit)
• limited design skills with respect to choice of colour and proportions of the elements

An obvious consequence is that the geometries do not fit together as well as they might with further effort and greater skill. This undermines appreciation of pattern symmetries to an unfortunate degree. Further technical improvements to the models will be made as time and skills permit.

Further constraints derive from the possibilities of presenting a 3D model:

• as screen shots, even with the use of colour (typically highly problematic in academic print media)
• as simple animations, possibly using a set of screen shots
• as videos, given feasible sizes and the need to allow for the multiplicity of dynamic configurations emerging from the model
• limited access to 3D software via the web for non-interactive displays
• ever more limited familiarity with interactive variants, especially given the variety of browsers and their constraints

Clearly there are even greater constraints if symbol reconciliation is only possible in 4D or more. Not to be forgotten is that fundamental physics envisaged the need for unitary understanding in terms of from 10 to 26 "dimensions", however these are to be comprehended. It may be naive to assume that the reconciliation of the concerns of the Abrahamic and other religions could be fruitfully comprehended in terms of lower dimensionality.

Learning: Hands-on elaboration of models is obviously a learning exercise -- a continuing struggle with relative ignorance in engaging with skills which others possess to a far higher degree. The imperfections are a valuable indication of the learning process -- and of degrees of understanding of the relationship between the symbols configured.

In that sense the production of the models bears a degree of similarity to the art of puzzle solving, especially when there is only a vague intuition of how the final result will appear. Aspects of the process bear some similarity to engaging with Rubik's Cube or its many variants -- with all the implications for the time that may be required to develop some skills, as discussed separately (Interplay of Sustainable Development Goals through Rubik Cube Variations, 2017).

The difficulties encountered make it understandable that many may prefer simpler symbols as carriers of fundamental significance. However it is obvious that acquisition of insight with that focus then precludes recognition of insights that may be possible otherwise.

Future possibilities: Design improvements are readily possible with existing software. Many can be achieved using a simple text file editor to modify the files rendered accessible for the models presented in this document. Possibilities include:

• modifications to colours to achieve better aesthetic effects, according to taste
• rendering invisible, or partially transparent, some features of the model to increase clarity or recognize hidden complexity
• increasing or decreasing the thickness of some elements, as illustrated in some of the images above
• recognition of the aesthetic value of wire frame versus solid renderings (as typically available as an option in 3D browser facilities)
• modifications to rate of movement from slow to fast, according to the manner in which a cycle of phases is appreciated
• modifications to the relative rate of movements of some features -- making some slower and others faster
• introduction of a greater variety of "viewpoints", namely the virtual reality software facility that allows the user to switch between numerous perspectives in a complex model (perhaps as a means of highlighting symbolic features which resonate more with one cultural perspective rather than an other)
• interactive highlighting of sets of features associated with particular numbers considered to be of significance (10, 20, 30, 60, etc)
• enabling the possibility of switching interactively between alternative models (as envisaged above)

Earlier experiments enabled the movement of small spheres along the structural elements of the model as being indicative of their systemic implications -- in contrast to the movements of those elements themselves, as demonstrated separately (Framing Global Transformation through the Polyhedral Merkabah, 2017). Since those elements are effectively constructed as cylinders, it is also possible for a viewpoint to "travel" along such pathways within any cylinder.

Some of these features can be made available as interactive options for users, rather than fiddling with the program itself. The purpose would however be to render such models accessible as a platform with which to play interactively -- an invitation to experiment as a means of eliciting insight.

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