You are here

Home

Speculation towards a framework of meta-communication


Second-order Dialogue and Higher Order Discourse for the Future (Part #16)

[Parts: First | Prev | All] [Links: To-K | Refs ]

As argued above, there is a case for recognizing that higher orders of communication and dialogue necessarily constitute a major challenge to comprehension from any conventional perspective -- as may be apparent in the distant future (or from an "extraterrestrial" perspective).

Comprehensibility? There is seemingly little interest in the possibility, if not the probability, that the insights required for viable global governance (in the face of complex crises) may require that the widespread aversion to the seemingly incomprehensible be more proactively addressed. There is the strange assumption that, if the strategic implications cannot be immediately comprehended, they must necessarily be irrelevant.

This is matched by the assumption that if strategies can be rationally articulated from an expert perspective their credibility can only be questioned by the ignorant. The widespread discussion of any requisite "paradigm shift" tends to avoid issues of its comprehensibility and credibility from prevailing perspectives. There is a naive assumption that what is required is an immediately comprehensible "silver bullet".

As noted above, there is however a sense in which the nature of meta-communication may be vaguely indicated through intuition and inference from familiar processes -- otherwise understood. Hence the importance of an aesthetic approach to the comprehension of meta-communication through metaphor, figures of speech, and the like, whilst avoiding the misleading distraction they may encourage through the investment of enthusiastic proponents.

Reconciliation of disparate patterns: The question is then how to present and juxtapose such indications as a speculative framework to evoke discussion -- whilst avoiding closure (necessarily premature). Such indications can be potentially and tentatively offered by a variety of disparate patterns:

The emphasis on interweaving disparate patterns of qualitative distinctions is suggestive of a valuable metaphor in its own right in a period in which efforts are made to avoid contrasting perspectives as inherently problematic (Interweaving Thematic Threads and Learning Pathways, 2010; Dynamics of N-fold Integration of Disparate Cognitive Modalities, 2021). Such interweaving can be explored in the light of "correspondences" (Theories of Correspondences -- and potential equivalences between them in correlative thinking, 2007).

Their potential implications with respect to meta-communication are variously explored (and illustrated) in the following discussions:

Configuring disparate patterns: The possibility of a "speculative" framework can be further developed through configuration of the distinctions made by Young as contrasting metaphors of communication modalities. Young configured the distinctions in tabular form, subsequently presented in circular form -- associating them with the familiar pattern of the zodiac to constitute a Rosetta Stone. Such an association can be appreciated in terms of framing the complex by using a widely familiar pattern -- despite the marked tendency to reject it as pseudo-scientific. Unfortunately such rejection tends to be framed by disciplines whose capacity to address critical global issues is increasingly called into question (Pseudo-relevance: science, scientism and pseudo-science? 2021).

As may be imagined, both Young's particular use of physical measures and his association of them with the zodiac are anathema to many constituencies valuing those distinctions otherwise -- however irrelevant they have seemingly proved to be to the challenges of communication and governance at this time. The focus here is however on the meaning that may be potentially derived from cognitive patterns in support of higher orders of communication -- irrespective of to what they may be applied.

The suggestion here is that the modalities of communication of different orders may be usefully distinguished -- at least for discussion purposes -- by metaphorical consideration of the 3 "elements" variously combined by Young as 12 standard measures of physics, namely mass, distance and time. These merit reconciliation with traditional articulations in terms of 4 such elements (Cognitive Navigation of the Elements as Indicative Strategic Metaphors, 2023).

Pattern memorability: Young's framework is therefore proposed as a tentative "carrier" of distinctions which are readily lost in other approaches (Metaphors as Transdisciplinary Vehicles of the Future, 1991). There is a useful irony to Young's effort to reconcile his Rosetta pattern of communication with the zodiac -- given the degree to which this is held to exemplify the magical thinking conventionally deprecated as pesudoscientific (as noted above).

However it is appropriate to note that the 12-fold zodiac pattern can also be recognized as exemplifying a form of psychosocial sustainability appreciated across cultures over millennia. As  separately explored, the UN's pattern of 17 Sustainable Development Goals has yet to demonstrate its own sustainability in communication terms, especially having so recently replaced the UN's 8 Millennium Development Goals (Coherence of Sustainable Development Goals through Artificial Intelligence, 2023).

Does the current manner of their consideration suggest that the SDGs lack memorability and the requisite "magic" to make them attractively viable? Do meetings in that regard then lack "meeting magic" (as noted above)?

As metaphors, from Young's perspective, the following may therefore be considered:

  • "mass": as implying the "weight" of a communication, most commonly recognized through qualification of a topic as "heavy". Related use is made in referring to a "massive" amount of information. That metaphor is curiously adapted to the sense of a "mass" of people, and to the controversial arguments for "mass formation" by Mattias Desmet (The Psychology of Totalitarianism, 2022; Mattias Desmet on the Totalitarianism of Mass Panic, Brownstone Institute, 12 June 2022). Especially intriguing is any sense in which this is an indication of "how much" of reality is taken into consideration -- of what is "encompassed" -- potentially extending through the variety of modes of knowing to "the universe" (notably through psychotropically enabled experience). There is therefore a case for exploring the metaphors for mass, weight, and heaviness as vehicles of potentially relevant insight.

  • "distance": as implying the separation between participants in any communication process, or the positions with which they are associated. It may be further implied by the sense in which there is any "disconnect" between two such perspectives. Such a sense is evident in distinguishing participants in a negotiation process as being "far apart". Again there is a case for exploring the metaphors for distance and length -- in contrast with proximity, togetherness, and efforts to ensure that people are "on the same page" (or "singing from the same hymn sheet"). (Craig Locatis, et al, Communication and proximity effects on outcomes attributable to sense of presence in distance bioinformatics education, BMC Medical Education, 11, 2011, 10)

  • "time": whether implying the time required for insight to travel from one participant to another, or especially for the time required for the "distant" perspective of one participant or discipline to be recognized by another. The metaphorical use of time may prove suggestive. The relevance is obvious when distance is translated into time, as when participants in a conflict are said to be "light years apart".

Young used the measure formulae of physics to interweave these 3 experientially-related "insights" to form a pattern of 12 -- distinguished as 3 groups of 4, and as 4 groups of 3. One adaptation of his configuration to dialogue is presented separately in tabular form (Typology of 12 complementary dialogue modes essential to sustainable dialogue, 1998).

Relevance to meta-communication: In adapting that pattern to articulate a meta-communication framework, those "physical" distinctions, understood as metaphors, might be further explored as follows:

  • distance (L): is potentially suggestive of a form of cognitive separation (or "distance") from immediately observable otherness, possibly to be understood in terms of the array of distinctions articulated by the Zen ox-herding pictures, or by Cadell Last (as noted above)

  • distance "squared" (L2): this invites consideration of the "complexification" of distance, possibly to be understood in terms of circularity or self-reference, again as suggested by Cadell Last, and potentially by the focus of Freemasonry with respect to "on the square". No use is however seemingly made of distance "cubed" (L3). However of potential relevance, it is appropriate to note the significance accorded to the role of a "power law" in communication:
  • time (T): is conventionally understood in terms of change and movement, readily recognized in the development of any dialogue or communication process -- and the rate at which distance is traversed. It may be associated with what is recognized as the "speed" of a communication.

  • time (T2): is potentially suggestive of what is experienced as the "intensivity" of a communication process, or "spontaneity", as suggested by the reference above to communication in crisis. As L/T2 it is suggestive of the "velocity" of communication.

  • time (T3): this is particularly suggestive of the elusive nature of self-reflective consideration of a communication process, as might be inferred to be the perspective of the experienced or wise -- who may well choose to remain silent, avoiding communication of a "lower" order. As L/T3 it is then suggestive of a more considered appreciation in the light of learning over time -- hence an association with control. It may be especially associated with appreciation of timeliness and kairos -- in qualitative terms. Such subtlety, appropriately framed in relation to the "spirit of now", has been explored by Peter Russell as a physicist (Waking Up in Time: finding inner peace in times of accelerating change, Origin Press, 2008)

Significance of "mass"? Clearly of interest is then how "mass" (M) -- especially as "how much" -- is reframed in relation to the above and with respect to a "meta" perspective on communication, potentially as "massive significance"):

  • "fixed"? the sequence ML, ML/T, ML/T2, and ML/T3 suggests a progression in communication which could be recognized in the development of a conservative perspective, culminating through "matters of moment", in that of the "establishment".

  • "changing"?: the sequence ML2, ML2/T, ML2/T2, and ML2/T3 suggests a progression in communication which could be recognized in the development of faith (inertia), impulse (purpose), work (fact), knowledge (power)

  • "principled"? by contrast the sequence L, L/T, L/T2, and L/T3, in the absence of "mass", frames implications for observation, change (reaction), spontaneous act, and control

Non-hierarchical configuration of meta-communication modalities? There is a questionable bias associated with use of "levels" and "degrees" in conjunction with "higher" or "lower". There is therefore a case for considering how any sense of subtlety implied by meta-communication should be understood "otherwise" -- rather than being comprehensible only to the "initiated".

This can be usefully visualized by employing distinctive "planes" in a spherical configuration. The plane metaphor features in common parlance where difficulties of communication are attributed to people being "on different planes" -- without necessarily implying that one plane is "higher" or "lower" than another. The difference can be visualized by presenting the distinctive planes as variously oriented to one another -- but within the same sphere.

As discussed and illustrated separately, the 12 conditions which Young associated with the zodiac can be usefully mapped into an icosahedron (given its 12 vertices) -- as one significant approximation to a sphere (as indicated below). This could then be considered both as a 3D presentation of the zodiac, with its experiential implications, and as an indication of the distinct control functions envisaged by Young with respect to any "psychopter", as previously discussed  (Spherical mapping of conditions traditionally associated with the zodiac, 2014).

Experimental animation in 3D of a 12-fold "zodiac" of quadruplicities and triplicities
(with indication of positive and negative)
Traditional quadruplicities
(Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable)
Traditional triplicities
(Earth, Air, Fire, Water)		 Combination interweaving
traditional quadruplicities and triplicities
Animation in 3D of a 12-fold zodiac of quadruplicities Animation in 3D of a 12-fold zodiac of triplicities Animation in 3D of a 12-fold zodiac, combining quadruplicities and triplicities
Although in no way responsible for the mapping attributions, the animations above and below were generated with Stella4D software by its developer Robert Webb, from a great icosahedron (augmented by an icosahedron, then hiding selected faces)

A Rosetta of meaning in 3D? The attributions above can be replaced by those suggested by Arthur Young in his circular Rosetta of meaning. Given Young's original helicopter inspiration, the animations are reminiscent of requirements of aircraft control in 3D (yaw, pitch, and roll). As in the above animation, a distinction is made below between 4 sets of contrasting threefold qualities ("triplicities") and 3 sets of contrasting fourfold modality ("quadruplicities"). In the right hand animation, the rectangles have long been recognized as having the proportion of golden rectangles.

With respect to the quadruplicities, Young distinguishes the "cardinal" pattern as four acts, the "fixed" as four states, and the "mutable" as four relationships.

The "negative" signs are clustered by two of the traditional triplicities (termed earth and water); the "positive" by the two other triplicities ("fire" and "air"). The two types are combined in the following animation (again the work of Robert Webb) -- but with addition of a circumsphere and attribution of labels to the 12 vertices (not to be attributed to Robert Webb).

Each triplicity or quadruplicity is a distinct configuration of "positive" and "negative" -- as otherwise represented in the preceding 2D circular animation. As argued here, these are indicative more generally of contrasting values -- dualities, polarities, binaries. The vertices are then distinguished in terms of a 4-fold pattern (of 3 quadruplicities), a 3-fold pattern (of 4 triplicities), a 2-fold pattern (of positive and negative). For mnemonic purposes the singular quality of each vertex is also labelled with the zodiac sign -- given widespread familiarity with each.

Experimental animation in 3D of a 12-fold pattern of metaphorical quadruplicities and triplicities
forming a Rosetta of meaning according to Arthur Young
Metaphorical quadruplicities
(Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable)
Metaphorical triplicities
(Earth, Air, Fire, Water)		 Combination interweaving metaphorical
quadruplicities and triplicities
Animation in 3D of a 12-fold pattern of quadruplicities of meaning Animation in 3D of a 12-fold pattern of triplicities of meaning Animation in 3D of a 12-fold pattern, combining quadruplicities and triplicities of meaning

The images above  can be rendered below (without their use of face transparency). As indicated below right, with the dodecahedron as the geometric dual of the icosahedron, a similar mapping can be made of the distinctive modalities onto its 12 differently oriented faces -- suggestive of different "planes". The potential significance of the dodecahedron in this respect is discussed separately (Time for Provocative Mnemonic Aids to Systemic Connectivity? 2018) -- notably with regard to Increasing the dimensionality of the archetypal Round Table?

Experimental animation in 3D of 12-fold patterns
(juxtaposition of above mappings of Zodiac and Young onto icosahedron and its dual)
Icosahedron (Zodiac) Icosahedron (Young) Dodecahedron (Zodiac) Dodecahedron (Young)
Animation in 3D of 12-fold icosahedral pattern of Zodiac Animation in 3D of 12-fold icosahedral pattern of Young Animation in 3D of 12-fold dodecahedral pattern of Zodiac Animation in 3D of 12-fold dodecahedral pattern of Young

The indicative mapping exercise above highlights a question which it was not immediately sought to resolve, namely the possibility of alternative configurations. This is made evident by the traditional association of polarity with the pattern of signs, and how it translates into representation by the planes.

Although not explicitly associated with the 12 positions of the zodiac, it is appropriate to consider how the 6 polarities could be understood in terms of the arguments of Edward de Bono (Six Frames For Thinking About Information, 2008). Similarly, consideration could be given to the 15 fundamental transformations distinguished by Christopher Alexander, for which icosahedral mappings were separately explored and illustrated in relation to the associated Fifteen Great Circles on a Sphere (Tentative adaptation of Alexander's 15 transformations to the psychosocial realm, 2010). 

With respect to any recognition of distinctive "planes", and their challenge to comprehension, consideration can be given to representing their relationship as mutually orthogonal, as in separate exercises (Mutually orthogonal Abrahamic symbols from the perspective of projective geometry, 2017; Mandelbrot sets rendered in a mutually orthogonal configuration of 3 complex planes, 2019).

Higher derivatives of time? Especially intriguing with respect to any understanding of degrees or levels of meta-communication is the possibility of insight corresponding to physical phenomena potentially to recognized in relation to T -4, T --5, or "greater", as discussed separately in terms of Clues to distinguishing "degrees of intensity" in the light of Young's articulation (Cognitive Implication of Globality via Temporal Inversion: embodying the future through higher derivatives of time, 2018).

Higher derivatives (as suggested by the following extension) are necessarily a challenge to what can be unambiguously named, explained and experienced. The terms in the scientific literature necessarily emerge from an (unfortunate) technocratic bias, typically disinclined to explore any experiential implications -- despite a degree of recognition that planes may well be piloted "by the seat of the pants". With respect to the rate of change of acceleration, Young notes:

But what name and what meaning can we give to this? The name given by aeronautical engineers is jerk, probably because when acceleration is changed by automatic control, it does so in an all-or-nothing fashion which results in a jerk. But in the general case, as in human control, it need not be a jerk... a change in acceleration is what we mean by control... (pp. 15-16) [emphasis added]

This confusion is evident in the discussion below with respect jolt, jerk, jounce and snap. Thus some authors treat jolt, jerk and jounce as synonymous, and corresponding to L/T3. Jounce may more commonly be understood as the rate of change of jerk (L/T4). Crackle is assertively recognized as the fifth derivative (L/T5), with pop as the sixth derivative (L/T6).

Psychosocial implications? The lack of clarity is especially relevant to the confusion in any psychosocial systemic analogue. Young's insight that, under human control, a jerk need not be a jerk, is fundamental to the argument which follows -- as with the implications in jargon usage of the term. It is however possible that traditional Eastern disciplines of meditation, may have recognized and named these quite otherwise.

Forms of meta-communication potentially associated with higher derivatives of time
as identified by little known jargon terms in physics and engineering
T-4 L/T4Â --- [Jounce] ML/T4 ML2/T4
T-5 L/T5Â --- [Snap?] ML/T5 ML2//T5
T-6 L/T6Â --- [Crackle?] ML/T6 ML2//T6
T-7 L/T7 --- [Pop?] ML/T7 ML2//T7
T-8 L/T8 --- [Lock?] ML/T8 ML2//T8
T-9 L/T9Â --- [Drop?] ML/T9 ML2//T9

Of relevance to degrees of meta-communication are the earlier discussions of these seemingly obscure physical distinctions:

How indeed is a "flash of insight" to be associated with a meta-communication framework and the possibilities of collective "meeting magic"?

Memetic code and/or Mnemonic code? Familiarity with the genetic code, and related insight with regard to memetics, has inspired some consideration of the possibility of a memetic code -- to be organized in some manner yet to be highlighted (M. Pitkänen, Could one find a geometric realization for genetic and memetic codes? 30 March 2013; Dynamic Societies: Innovation is a Bug in Memetic Code, World Creation Society, 3 April 2020; Jim Ritchie-Dunham, The Memetic Code of an Agreements Field, 15 August 2016; Paul Kordis, The Memetic Code and Genetic Survival, Caristas Consciousness Center).

Of related interest with respect to discourse is the role of a mnemonic code in a society exposed to increasing erosion of collective memory and historical amnesia (Societal Learning and the Erosion of Collective Memory, 1980). As clarified in a particular case by Martin H. Weik (Mnemonic Code, Computer Science and Communications Dictionary):

A code that can be remembered comparatively easily and that aids its user in recalling the information it represents... Mnemonic codes are widely used in computer programming and communications system operations to specify instructions. The systems can be designed to be responsive to arbitrary sets of symbols, but the mnemonic codes are used to help the programmers and operators remember the codes that represent the instructions and commands...

It could be argued that traditional patterns like the zodiac have proven to be of considerable mnemonic value by associating memes with its elements to form memetic patterns. By contrast, Chinese culture notably offers the 8-fold BaGua pattern. That pattern of memes has been extended to form that of the 64-fold Yi Jing -- potentially calling for its recognition as a mnemonic code. Speculatively it might then be asked how Young's 12-fold Rosetta pattern, as a mnemonic code, might be related to the Chinese pattern -- assuming a degree of universality to any mnemonic code (as for the genetic code).

The genetic code is based on 4-fold nucleotide triplets or codons. Correspondences of their 64-fold pattern with the elements of the Yi Jing have been extrensively discussed (Proof of concept: use of drilled truncated cube as a mapping framework for 64 elements, 2015). One approach to a reconciliation of the 8-fold BaGua with Young's 12-fold pattern is to consider only those 8 functions which include "mass", "distance" and "time" together -- excluding the four which do not include "mass". It can then be asked how Young's 8 could be encoded otherwise for mnemonic purposes -- using the binary line coding characteristic of the BaGua.

One clue to such mnemonic reconciliation is through the classic elements (earth,  air, fire, water) which feature as metaphors in both the zodiac pattern (as noted above) and in the BaGua. In the latter they are however associated with the 5-fold WuXing. Of particular value to the relevance to dialogue and discourse is the 64-fold adaptation of the Yi Jing commentary to dialogue (Interrelationships between 64 Complementary Approaches to Dialogue, 2007) -- and the manner in which it might be reconciled with that of Young (Typology of 12 complementary dialogue modes essential to sustainable dialogue, 1998).

With respect to the envisaged renewed focus on the 17 SDGs, of potential relevance is the manner in which these patterns merit consideration in terms of the UN Summit of the Future planned for 2024 -- in the light of the UN Secretary-General's vision for the future of global cooperation in the form of a report titled Our Common Agenda (2021). This builds on the 12 commitments contained in the Declaration on the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. The aspiration to "commonality" could be understood as implying the recognition of some form of universal memetic/mnemonic code.

[Parts: First | Prev | All] [Links: To-K | Refs ]

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

For further updates on this site, subscribe here