Strange attraction of collapse

Reframing the Art of Non-Decision-Making (Part #12)

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A strange attractor -- strangely located? The widespread use of the butterfly lifecycle is clearly a fruitful metaphor of civilizational transformation in many respects. The major difficulty would seem to be in its use to frame that winged entity as the desirable, culminating endpoint of what is thereby transformed into an essentially linear process.

The implications of egg-laying, and the disappearance of the winged entity, are then lost. This is especially problematic given the track record of the disappearance of many civilizations which considered themselves to be global and eternal -- and potentially able to fly. Metaphorically speaking, this is suggested by widespread symbolic use of a bird as their core symbol of identity (most notably eagles) -- despite the obvious challenge of the spastic movement of their political "wings", as can be variously explored (Counteracting Extremes Enabling Normal Flying: insights for global governance from birds on the wing and the dodo, 2015).

Irrespective of this "illusion", rather than understanding the butterfly lifecycle in terms of the dynamics and geometry of a cycle, there is then a case for understanding it in terms of the topology and dynamics of a torus. This is effectively a container for the process of morphogenesis along which the shapeshifting entity travels. As an experiential tunnel this is readily comprehensible from an individual or group perspective, however this may be understood by an evolving civilization.

Such a torus clarifies the distinction between the axis of the tunnel (as providing the daily sense of direction and constraints) and the axis through the central hole. It is around the latter axis that the life of the shapeshifting entity travels (as with a planet around a sun), although it is not defined to the same degree as by the constraining experience of the daily tunnel -- and the hopeful prospect of a "light at the end of the tunnel". The toroidal cycle is then appropriately reminiscent of the symbolism of the Ouroboros, preoccupations with the wheel of life, and the myth of eternal return, Daily experience is then readily understood in terms of reference to the above-mentioned constraining "tyranny of small decisions".

Framed as a torus, the cycle as a whole then effectively defines a central locus which is cognitively "missing" from its topology, otherwise experienced as relatively tangible, if elusive, as a tunnel. A remarkable indication of the challenge of recognizing this central locus is offered in mathematical terms by Ron Atkin (Multidimensional Man; can man live in 3-dimensional space?, 1981), as discussed separately (Comprehension: social organization determined by incommunicability of insights, 1995).

Atkin uses a colour triangle to illustrate his argument -- to be recognized in this context as the simplest approximation to a torus. At the simplest level of awareness, red, green or blue can be separately recognized (at the vertices). At an intermediate level, colour combinations (red/green, etc) can be recognized (along the edges). The combination of white (red/green/blue), as the centre of the triangle, calls for comprehension of a higher order -- enabling memory of the triangle as whole, and the capacity to travel cognitively around its geometry.

Also elusive, but to a higher degree (if only as indicated by the butterfly), is what the cycle enables -- the direction in which the shapeshifting entity travels (along the central axis of the torus) as a consequence of many such cycles, and the process which engenders such "movement". The movement may be understood in terms of spiral dynamics, although this also needs to be distinguished from any helical movement along the tunnel. These contrasting movements are usefully distinguished in the case of the solar system.

The challenge to comprehension can be partially clarified through a combination of the images shown below. That on the right emphasizes the sense in which some analogue to a "magnetic field" is engendered. Embedding the Ouroboros within a helical coil recalls the current preoccupation with the dynamics of the so-called "plasma snake" in the operation of a toroidal nuclear fusion reactor (Kathy Kincade, Taming Plasma Fusion Snakes: supercomputer simulations move fusion energy closer to reality, Berkely Lab, 24 January 2014; L. Delgado-Aparicio, et al, Formation and stability of impurity "snakes" in tokamak plasmas, MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, 2012).

Clearly of interest is what this may suggest or imply in cognitive terms (Enactivating a Cognitive Fusion Reactor Imaginal Transformation of Energy Resourcing (ITER-8), 2006). There is then a case for a form of "hypercomputing", in the light of the "oracle" envisaged by Alan Turing (Imagining Order as Hypercomputing: operating an information engine through meta-analogy, 2014). The central animation (below) is suggestive of an intriguing form of entanglement, as discussed separately (Interlocking Tori: combining the two alternative representations, 2006). Rather than framing life in terms of the need for riding a single adaptive cycle, it suggests the possibility that this may call for skills reminiscent of riding a "bicycle" -- rather than a monocycle.

Torus-Sphere transformation (animation)	Interlocking dynamics of two tori (animation)	Psychosocial "magnetic field" engendered by the Ouroboros? (image in preparation)
Reproduced from Wikipedia; made by User:Kieff	X3D and VRML models (kindly developed by Sergey Bederov of Cortona3D).	see animated variant below (left)

The experiential issue is further clarified by metaphorical use of such geometry in relation to the "sense of life" or of civilization, given any sense of "pointlessness". The sense of "point" can be associated with anticipation of the "light at the end of the tunnel" as a goal or target -- towards which points may be scored. The symbolic value identified with a globe is notably evident in the design of various ultimate awards, as with the Hollywood Golden Globe Award and the FIFA World Cup Trophy -- perhaps to be recognized as Holy Grail surrogates. The conflation of "globe" and "egg" is evident.

The sense of point can be further associated with "appointment" -- notably as an "appointment with destiny". In contast there is of course the sense of "disappointment" -- exacerbating any sense of pointlessness. Clearly this gives focus to any question of "missing the point" -- and of hopefulness misplaced as a consequence of inappropriate hope-mongering. The animation on the left (above) is helpful in indicating the potential conflation of a global target and cyclic insight as framed by a torus. The argument has been elaborated separately (¿ Embodying a Way Round Pointlessness ? 2012; Way Round Cognitive Ground Zero and Pointlessness? Embodying the geometry of fundamental cognitive dynamics, 2012).

What is missed in this way can be related to the argument of Deacon (above). The point missed can then be usefully associated with the experientially elusive central hole of the torus (variously framed above). A sense of the missing can be further clarified by the subtle arguments for the significance of holes, as elaborated by Roberto Casati and Achille C. Varzi (Holes and Other Superficialities, 1994) and separately discussed (Cognitive Mystery of Holes, Lacunae and Incompleteness, 2014). These considerations engage explicitly with the borderlines of metaphysics, everyday geometry, and the theory of perception (as reviewed by Steven A. Gross, What's in a Hole? The Harvard Review of Philosophy, 1994).

Such considerations can be fruitfully associated with the mysterious nature of black holes for astrophysics. As a metaphor, a black hole is helpful in emphasizing the sense of a vortex engendered by the torus -- with which a form of collapse is naturally associated (as widely described by astrophysics). Traversing a black hole, and its function as a portal, has been imaginatively explored by science fiction. The cognitive mystery has been otherwise framed through a film offering a sense of "Down the Rabbit Hole" (2004).

As a metaphor framing individual or civilizational evolution, a black hole is naturally associated with the extensive discussion of singularity, however this may be experienced (or variously cultivated by meditation). Especially intriguing is how this may be reframed by the challenge to comprehension of the negative curvature of hyperbolic space, as mentioned above.

Various aspects of the issues above have been speculatively discussed separately from an aesthetic perspective (The-O Ring and The Bull Ring as Spectacular Archetypes: dramatic correlation of theatre, theory, theorem, theology, and theosophy, 2014). Beyond the obvious relationship of their prefixes, the issue is therefore whether and how Theorem, Theory, Theology, and Theosophy might indeed be related in some form of implicit cognitive "The-O ring" through a pattern of aesthetic correspondences.

As a challenge to the imagination in this context, the Ouroboros is further discussed separately (Explanation vs. Inplanation: multiversal embodiment through the Ouroboros, 2012). The psychosocial implications of any "magnetic field" engendered -- especially its rotation -- also lend themselves to discussion in the light of the renowned creativity of Nikola Tesla (Reimagining Tesla's Creativity through Technomimicry: psychosocial empowerment by imagining charged conditions otherwise, 2015).

Suggestive associations of the Ouroboros
schematically embedded within helical coils indicative of an engendered "magnetic field" (variation of the image on the right above)	View along the toroidal tunnel travelled by the Ouroboros -- using Poincaré Disk (discussed above) of detailed decisions at the circumference and the Biblical narrow path at the centre	with 64 interrelated conditions of change encoded by the I Ching, as an indication of the circular configuration of the variety of pathways of choice and decision
Interactive variants in X3D and VRML formats	Adapted from a Wolfram Demonstration Project	Animated variant on YouTube

The animation on the left derives from a range of animation experiments discussed separately (Visualization in 3D of Dynamics of Toroidal Helical Coils -- in quest of optimum designs for a Concordian Mandala, 2016). A complex animated variant of the image on the right, with many additional visual features, is derived from an earlier set of experiments (Dynamic Exploration of Value Configurations: interrelating traditional cultural symbols through animation, 2008).

That animation is suggestive of a view "along" the toroidal tunnel, as with the plasma snake of a fusion reactor (constrained by the set of magnets in its wall). That image calls for the Ouroboros to be presented orthogonally to what is shown. The animation is more suggestive of how the controlling "magnets" in the container wall can be recognized in terms of the "tyranny of small decisions" through which the "wriggling" of the snake is managed.

The Poincaré Disk animations are also indicative of views "along" the tunnel, with the additional implication of the extreme shortness of attention span at the periphery (associated with those small decisions), in contrast to the far longer attention span at the centre (encompassing the toroidal cycle as a whole). Such framing then distinguishes the subtle memorability of longer term cycles, as separately discussed (Engaging Macrohistory through the Present Moment, 2004). Presumably it is embodying this perspective that best reframes the art of non-decision-making.

There is a provocative metaphorical comparison to be made between "decision" and "conduction" (given its leadership associations), with the latter implying continuity in contrast with the discontinuity introduced by the former.

"Conventional" (Technical)	"Unconventional" (Aesthetic)
decision	non-decision
conduction	superconduction
"small decisions"	"flow"
leadership	self-organizing leadership

In the light of such a comparison, "small" decision-making associated with the tunnel cross-section is to be radically distinguished from the superconduction associated with flow around the torus, along the tunnel. It is of course the case that superconductivity is one of the characteristics of the plasma in a fusion reactor. This argument can be explored otherwise (Circulation of the Light: essential metaphor of global sustainability? 2010; Circulation of the light: What flows? What circulates? Cryptocurrency? 2014). Clearly there is a very particular challenge to reconciling the decisions of the present moment with macrohistory.

Welcoming "collapse"? The very absence of joined-up thinking can be welcomed (rather than deplored) as the requisite disconnectivity heralding transformation -- effectively morphogenesis. As for the butterfly, collapse could indeed be recognized as the upside of down (Thomas Homer-Dixon, The Upside of Down: catastrophe, creativity, and the renewal of civilization, 2006). The need for such fluidity to enable morphogenesis suggests that excessively joined-up thinking in governance can easily give rise to the kinds of clunkiness characteristic of spastic movement -- contrasting with the nimbleness otherwise appreciated. There is clearly some irony to metaphorical use of liquidity and solvency, perceived as essential to global financial operations.

Joined-up thinking can thus be seen as a constraint on the fruitful change which passes through a phase otherwise framed as "collapse". Deprecation of "corruption" and "wicked problems" fails to recognize the emergence of the new shape they enable. In whatever form it takes, such "negativity" merits a degree of appreciation in cyclic terms (Tibi Puiu, How caterpillars gruesomely turn into butterflies, ZME Science, 7 January 2015). The descriptor is a reminder of its use as a slogan in other contexts of relevance (Gruesome but Necessary: Global Governance in the 21st Century? Extreme normality as indicator of systemic negligence, 2011). In relation to such issues, consideration could also be given to the paradoxical potential of negative strategies (Liberating Provocations: use of negative and paradoxical strategies, 2005).

Such considerations resulted in an earlier focus on the problematic interlocking of cycles embodying so-called wicked problems -- calling for cyclic comprehension, as discussed separately (Encycling Problematic Wickedness for Potential Humanity, 2014; Encycling wickidity in the light of polyhedral viruses and their mutation, 2015). This approach is consistent with the cycles inherent in spherically symmetrical polyhedra (as discussed above).

What a relief ! The fewer the global decisions effectively made the better -- whether by the international community and world leaders, or otherwise? Their "incompetence" merits the most thoughtful appreciation as precursor of a "new shape".

The aesthetic can be evoked is a quite distinctive manner with "universal" appeal consistent with appreciation of the surreal, namely with the humour circulating widely on the web (Humour and Play-Fullness: essential integrative processes in governance, religion and transdisciplinarity, 2005; Humour and International Challenges: augmenting problem and strategy comprehension through psycho-cultural catalysts, 1998).

Key to the current state of entrapment of global civilization?

A trap is a function of the nature of the trapped (Geoffrey Vickers: Freedom in a Rocking Boat: changing values in an unstable society, 1972).

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