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The Substance of ‘WE’, Polytopia
Project: Polytopia
Project: Polytopia
"Onto what surface shall a theory of aesthetics and consciousness be mapped?"
Gregory Bateson
From the Gaia hypothesis to Diderot (and D’Alembert) Encyclopedism, from John of Salisbury superorganism (in policraticus) to Herbert Spencer and Paul Otlet human and machine synergy, from Valentin Turchin cybernetic visions and metasystem transitions to Theillard de Chardin noosphere and finally Kevin Kelly and Howard Bloom as well as Peter Russell global brain, it seems that whomsoever seeks a vision that is beyond yit’s* own lunch break must at a certain point reflect upon a global something.
I mention all these giants of thought and intellect, as I feel compelled to reply with an essay of my own views, concerning the last entries in this cross time/space polylogue* on the global brain/mind, both by KK (see KK- the superorganism) and Nova Spivack (see here).
Let me start by saying that though I agree with both KK and NS that a superorganism is arising, there is a variation on the theme that I would like to point at and maybe even hazard to predict. I believe that a number of superorganisms are arising simultaneously, which as a general notion explains why I understand the next step in human evolution to be one of a Polytopia.
Some issues first, concerning evolution intelligence and consciousness. Evolution, as a principle operating on the universal scene, I see as a Rhizomatic process. Allow me a moment to explain; I am now thinking in terms of Rhizomatic dynamics, a term I have coined to describe a state of affairs that has multiple and simultaneous explorations paths, working in tandem in different dimensions and creating a dynamically emergent system for which a direction can be perceived only on the very large scale.
Why is this important concerning the arising of the global mind?, because just as I do not believe that we have a structured and coherent ‘one’ self so I do not think that the emerging superorganism is (will be) one, but many.
(Image caption: METROPOLIS OF TRAJECTORIES,Francesca Iovino, Sciatto Produzie)
Much as I admire the coherency of the one brain, one mind, one self view/model, (local or global) I believe it is fundamentally erroneous. Life has an inherent tendency to multiply in forms and fashions, embodiments and structures, and yet our Victorian sense of elegance desires an underlying principle of unity that will merge ‘all’ this multiplicity into one elegant formula, description and explanation.
We are not the first ones to desire a unifying principle/s that will explain all that we see and perceive in a cogent and easy to understand (and thus replicate and use for predicting) manner, however we are for the first time in human history of thought sitting at exactly the cross road point of emergence. Being so close to the singularity and being as capable as we have become, we are in a unique position of observation and participation. Due to a number of factors, that are being explored as we speak, the transitional system situation we are currently in is open for transformation.
It is open for transformation, primarily because we have at our disposal the capacity to metamorphose our Neolithic brain/mind into a post human brain/mind. In other words the transitional system situation is open because we have finally at our disposal not only the possibility to change that which we see but to change fundamentally that, which sees (our minds).
(Image caption: rhizomatic seating system Sugar Seville made for the dorkbot sessions)
A Polytopian perception I therefore propose to be a perception of multiplicity, a dynamic conscious awareness to the flow of events, which does not seek to impose yit’s views on the events themselves but seeks to merge with the process of arising (of the global brain/mind).
Given this conceptual understanding I therefore propose that we allow for the possibility that that which is emerging is a multidimensional phase space of possible intelligences, some of which will coalesce into a probable reality (from which some will become actual).
Yes, superorganisms are arising, some of them will be equivalent to flock intelligence, some will be hybrids, some will be organic and some will be hardware/software based, some will be of a robotic nature, some will be biological enhanced systems, and some we cannot even imagine at present, that is what the singularity is all about. Allowing for all of these, is the evolutionary imperative of a conscious aware system that realizes that the “good” is neither a given, nor is it fixed. There are many solutions to many problems in many dimensions, that is the beauty of life, that it does not necessitate “one” solution for “one” problem. As the Rhizomatic view purports and possibly implies, a singularity might result in a superior super intelligence, it might just as well (and in my view probably will) result in multiple super intelligences extending human possibilities to all directions simultaneously.
Such state/s of affairs I have dubbed ‘topos’ (places), and will refer to states of the one-mind/global brain. Different kinds of intelligence using different substrates, demanding different conditions to emerge and become apparent, are as an ensemble called a Polytopia.
From a different perspective we may now answer Bateson's question quoted above:" "Onto what surface shall a theory of aesthetics and consciousness be mapped?" the answer to my mind is simple: we shall map our consciousness as presence and our aesthetics as existence onto the dynamic rhizomatics of an interconnected multiplicity of intelligences, the Polytopia.
Some possible new definitions for Polytopia :
Polytopia is a term designating the emergent surface of relevance for both minds and machines to exist within and upon.
A polytopia implies the supreme value of multiplicity and the relevancy of hyperconnectivity.
A polytopia allows for infinite personal sovereignty closely coupled and intimately hyperconnected with all consciously aware entities both embracing and merging with a collective intelligence.
Following Deleuze, it is my view therefore that consciousness and intelligence actualizes via differentiation in states (topos). Said differentiation of states is what brought about the culture we currently inhabit and will propel us towards the next step of human evolution, the multiple global brain, composed of minds and machines, intimately hyperconnected in a fully coherent and free manifestation, a polytopia.
"Deleuze posits that we may think of reality not in terms of an opposition between the possible and the real, but rather between the virtual and the actual. The distinction is that possible things do not have any sort of existence, they are empty signs, leaving the real as a realm of solid objects, akin to that of classical physics. The virtual, by contrast, persists as a sort of enfolded order of potentiality, from which things actualize by differentiating themselves. "
Paul Harris
The Substance of 'WE' is a polytopia, a rhizomatic dynamic system that connects any topos to any other topos, not necessarily linking nodes of the same nature, nor joining organisms necessarily relying on the same substrate for their intelligence and consciousness.
notes:
# YIT = you+ I+ it (not my invention but still need to find the reference)
# Polylogue = The term polylogue applies to hyperconnectivity in the same sense that conversation applies to connectivity
# For a more complex view of Rhizomathics see this
Gregory Bateson
From the Gaia hypothesis to Diderot (and D’Alembert) Encyclopedism, from John of Salisbury superorganism (in policraticus) to Herbert Spencer and Paul Otlet human and machine synergy, from Valentin Turchin cybernetic visions and metasystem transitions to Theillard de Chardin noosphere and finally Kevin Kelly and Howard Bloom as well as Peter Russell global brain, it seems that whomsoever seeks a vision that is beyond yit’s* own lunch break must at a certain point reflect upon a global something.
I mention all these giants of thought and intellect, as I feel compelled to reply with an essay of my own views, concerning the last entries in this cross time/space polylogue* on the global brain/mind, both by KK (see KK- the superorganism) and Nova Spivack (see here).
Let me start by saying that though I agree with both KK and NS that a superorganism is arising, there is a variation on the theme that I would like to point at and maybe even hazard to predict. I believe that a number of superorganisms are arising simultaneously, which as a general notion explains why I understand the next step in human evolution to be one of a Polytopia.
Some issues first, concerning evolution intelligence and consciousness. Evolution, as a principle operating on the universal scene, I see as a Rhizomatic process. Allow me a moment to explain; I am now thinking in terms of Rhizomatic dynamics, a term I have coined to describe a state of affairs that has multiple and simultaneous explorations paths, working in tandem in different dimensions and creating a dynamically emergent system for which a direction can be perceived only on the very large scale.
Why is this important concerning the arising of the global mind?, because just as I do not believe that we have a structured and coherent ‘one’ self so I do not think that the emerging superorganism is (will be) one, but many.
(Image caption: METROPOLIS OF TRAJECTORIES,Francesca Iovino, Sciatto Produzie)
Much as I admire the coherency of the one brain, one mind, one self view/model, (local or global) I believe it is fundamentally erroneous. Life has an inherent tendency to multiply in forms and fashions, embodiments and structures, and yet our Victorian sense of elegance desires an underlying principle of unity that will merge ‘all’ this multiplicity into one elegant formula, description and explanation.
We are not the first ones to desire a unifying principle/s that will explain all that we see and perceive in a cogent and easy to understand (and thus replicate and use for predicting) manner, however we are for the first time in human history of thought sitting at exactly the cross road point of emergence. Being so close to the singularity and being as capable as we have become, we are in a unique position of observation and participation. Due to a number of factors, that are being explored as we speak, the transitional system situation we are currently in is open for transformation.
It is open for transformation, primarily because we have at our disposal the capacity to metamorphose our Neolithic brain/mind into a post human brain/mind. In other words the transitional system situation is open because we have finally at our disposal not only the possibility to change that which we see but to change fundamentally that, which sees (our minds).
(Image caption: rhizomatic seating system Sugar Seville made for the dorkbot sessions)
A Polytopian perception I therefore propose to be a perception of multiplicity, a dynamic conscious awareness to the flow of events, which does not seek to impose yit’s views on the events themselves but seeks to merge with the process of arising (of the global brain/mind).
Given this conceptual understanding I therefore propose that we allow for the possibility that that which is emerging is a multidimensional phase space of possible intelligences, some of which will coalesce into a probable reality (from which some will become actual).
Yes, superorganisms are arising, some of them will be equivalent to flock intelligence, some will be hybrids, some will be organic and some will be hardware/software based, some will be of a robotic nature, some will be biological enhanced systems, and some we cannot even imagine at present, that is what the singularity is all about. Allowing for all of these, is the evolutionary imperative of a conscious aware system that realizes that the “good” is neither a given, nor is it fixed. There are many solutions to many problems in many dimensions, that is the beauty of life, that it does not necessitate “one” solution for “one” problem. As the Rhizomatic view purports and possibly implies, a singularity might result in a superior super intelligence, it might just as well (and in my view probably will) result in multiple super intelligences extending human possibilities to all directions simultaneously.
Such state/s of affairs I have dubbed ‘topos’ (places), and will refer to states of the one-mind/global brain. Different kinds of intelligence using different substrates, demanding different conditions to emerge and become apparent, are as an ensemble called a Polytopia.
From a different perspective we may now answer Bateson's question quoted above:" "Onto what surface shall a theory of aesthetics and consciousness be mapped?" the answer to my mind is simple: we shall map our consciousness as presence and our aesthetics as existence onto the dynamic rhizomatics of an interconnected multiplicity of intelligences, the Polytopia.
Some possible new definitions for Polytopia :
Polytopia is a term designating the emergent surface of relevance for both minds and machines to exist within and upon.
A polytopia implies the supreme value of multiplicity and the relevancy of hyperconnectivity.
A polytopia allows for infinite personal sovereignty closely coupled and intimately hyperconnected with all consciously aware entities both embracing and merging with a collective intelligence.
Following Deleuze, it is my view therefore that consciousness and intelligence actualizes via differentiation in states (topos). Said differentiation of states is what brought about the culture we currently inhabit and will propel us towards the next step of human evolution, the multiple global brain, composed of minds and machines, intimately hyperconnected in a fully coherent and free manifestation, a polytopia.
"Deleuze posits that we may think of reality not in terms of an opposition between the possible and the real, but rather between the virtual and the actual. The distinction is that possible things do not have any sort of existence, they are empty signs, leaving the real as a realm of solid objects, akin to that of classical physics. The virtual, by contrast, persists as a sort of enfolded order of potentiality, from which things actualize by differentiating themselves. "
Paul Harris
The Substance of 'WE' is a polytopia, a rhizomatic dynamic system that connects any topos to any other topos, not necessarily linking nodes of the same nature, nor joining organisms necessarily relying on the same substrate for their intelligence and consciousness.
notes:
# YIT = you+ I+ it (not my invention but still need to find the reference)
# Polylogue = The term polylogue applies to hyperconnectivity in the same sense that conversation applies to connectivity
# For a more complex view of Rhizomathics see this
Sat, Nov 1, 2008 Permanent link
Categories: polytopia, superorganism, collective intelligence,Rhizomatics
Sent to project: Polytopia
Categories: polytopia, superorganism, collective intelligence,Rhizomatics
Sent to project: Polytopia
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