Psychosocial implication in circulation: circling the elusive

Transcendent Integrity via Dynamic Configuration of Sub-understandings? (Part #5)

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The challenge addressed by recourse to dynamic representation derives from what might be termed definitional overconfidence and overreach, with premature closure (typically by fiat), in contrast with the fluidity characteristic of divergent interpretations, as discussed separately (Self-reflexivity: Armageddon as the ultimate Battle with Otherness, 2015). It is therefore appropriate to ask whether a "device" such as that above would enable alternative understanding by configuring "around" that to which reference cannot be effectively made, as can be variously explored (Paradoxes of Engaging with the Ultimate in any Guise: living life penultimately, 2012; World Introversion through Paracycling: global potential for living sustainably "outside-inside", 2013 ).

Such a representation might incorporate the features of an argument map to hold the patterns of agreement and disagreement, especially where the latter have a tendency to engender conflict. It might take forms characteristic of empty-centered mandalas, or configurations of polygons or polyhedra, as explored separately (Embodying Global Hegemony through a Sustaining Pattern of Discourse, 2015; Memetic Analogue to the 20 Amino Acids as vital to Psychosocial Life? 2015). There is a degree of charm to recognition of similarities with use of circlets of beads (Designing Cultural Rosaries and Meaning Malas to Sustain Associations within the Pattern that Connects, 2000).

Cognitive fusion: More intriguing is the sense in which any such static map would also be inadequate to the challenges of definition, language and comprehension. Insights as to further possibilities could be derived from the counter-intuitive challenges of the design of a container for plasma in the ITER nuclear fusion reactor. The principal requirement is that the plasma not come in any contact with the walls of the enclosing container -- since any such contact would destroy the container (explosively) and render inoperable the fusion process. This offers a powerful and well-articulated metaphor for the manner whereby understanding of the fundamental struggle for comprehension may need to be contained by definition -- but dissociated from any such definition in an unconventional way in order for meaning to be sustained and "carried".

Currently under construction, the unusual design to enable the fusion process requires a toroidal form within which the plasma circulates, namely the container only works through ensuring a cyclic dynamic of the plasma. The viability of this unconventional design as a source of future energy raises the question as to whether a cognitive analogue is required to endeavour to "contain without containing" what is implied by the struggle for comprehension. The metaphor is explored separately (Enactivating a Cognitive Fusion Reactor: Imaginal Transformation of Energy Resourcing (ITER-8), 2006).

The animation on the left below suggests how a configuration of magnets might prevent the plasma travelling through the torus from coming in contact with the walls of the container -- through alternation of magnetic forces on the plasma. The magnets effectively control the snake-like tendency for the plasma and maintain its circulation around the centre of the toroidal ring. Specific reference to the plasma "snake" metaphor is made in the literature on nuclear fusion. With respect to the solar configurations in the animations above, the gradient of the elusive central "sun" is better suggested in the animation below than in those above, as well as the nature of its extended influence on the "planets".

Animation indicative of "containment without a container"?	Animation indicative of "resolutique contained by problematique"?

This visual metaphor recalls the creative breaktrhough by Nikola Tesla with regard to magnetic field rotation, especially with respect to its potential psychosocial implications, as discussed separately Potential implications of alternation and rotation in psychosocial fields (2014) in a more general context (Reimagining Tesla's Creativity through Technomimicry: psychosocial empowerment by imagining charged conditions otherwise, 2014).

Given the potential of such insights, the animation on the right above makes use of the identification by the Millennium Project of 15 Globsl Challenges for Humanity. These might be understood as constraints which could be used to constrain and focus a global resolutique -- provided attention is given to them through some process of alternation, as previously argued (Policy Alternation for Development, 1984). At its simplest this might involve periodic reallocation of resources to each of the challenges.

Potentially even more intriguing is the sense in which, as a metaphor, the solar system suggests another way of comprehending the necessary dynamic of detachment. Each planet can be understood as a particular definition in concrete conventional terms, each separated from the other but having a dynamic circling relationship to a distant central sun of quite different nature -- both sustaining life and with the potential to dissolve each of them. This image recalls The Pivot of Chuang Tzu.

Wave-particle duality: The issue of the comprehension of subtle complexity therefore seems to require unconventional approaches that constrain the tendency to define and label. The solar system metaphor is indicative in that respect with the physical inaccessibility of the sun. The psychosocial implications can however be speculatively explored (Psychosocial Implication of Without Within: enjoying going solar for oneself, 2013).

Equally valuable is the comprehension of an atom with its circulating electrons, except that their distinctiveness has been called into question by comprehension of atomic orbitals in the light of quantum mechanics. This frames the question of whether there are subtleties of psychosocial "definition" that merit similar consideration, whether on the micro or the macro scale. Rather than a set of circulating definitions (or "models") around an undefinable core, further considerations apply as suggested by current understanding of orbitals.

Thus the orbiting electrons around a nucleus could not be fully described as particles (as might be conventionally defined), but needed to be explained by the wave-particle duality. In this sense, the electrons have the following properties -- with implications for subtler understanding of the relationship between "models" or "world views". As described by Wikipedia:

• Wave-like properties:
  1. The electrons do not orbit the nucleus in the sense of a planet orbiting the sun, but instead exist as standing waves. The lowest possible energy an electron can take is therefore analogous to the fundamental frequency of a wave on a string. Higher energy states are then similar to harmonics of the fundamental frequency.
  2. The electrons are never in a single point location, although the probability of interacting with the electron at a single point can be found from the wave function of the electron.
• Particle-like properties:
  1. There is always an integer number of electrons orbiting the nucleus.
  2. Electrons jump between orbitals in a particle-like fashion. For example, if a single photon strikes the electrons, only a single electron changes states in response to the photon.
  3. The electrons retain particle like-properties such as: each wave state has the same electrical charge as the electron particle. Each wave state has a single discrete spin (spin up or spin down).

Thus, despite the obvious analogy to planets revolving around the Sun, electrons cannot be described simply as solid particles. In addition, atomic orbitals do not closely resemble a planet's elliptical path in ordinary atoms. A more accurate analogy might be that of a large and often oddly shaped "atmosphere" (the electron), distributed around a relatively tiny Sun (the atomic nucleus).

What circulates? Given the continuing conflict arising world-wide from conventional definitions, and the certainty that they are unquestionable, such indications offer a language which reframes the definitional process in ways which honour the subtlety implied by the beliefs they evoke.

It is then useful to ask what can be understood as circulating (according to the fusion reactor metaphor) and how are more profound senses of meaning and identity to be related to a wave-particle duality (Circulation of the Light: essential metaphor of global sustainability? 2010; Being Neither a-Waving Nor a-Parting: cognitive implications of wave-particle duality in the light of science and spirituality, 2013; Being a Waveform of Potential as an Experiential Choice: emergent dynamic qualities of identity and integrity, 2013; Encountering Otherness as a Waveform -- in the light of a wave theory of being, 2013).

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