tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739713151901293558.post4919105417441908379..comments2024-01-31T16:23:51.283-07:00Comments on Keye Commentary: Picture Puzzles and Future ImagesJames Keyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11059210373687674369noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739713151901293558.post-21875478361843458532013-12-07T14:13:54.873-07:002013-12-07T14:13:54.873-07:00Kirby, (if I may – my old school southern upbringi...Kirby, (if I may – my old school southern upbringing tends to go first to Mr.)<br /><br />I understand your objection. One of the reasons for so baldly stating such a seemingly rigid position was to create it in the reader; not a trick, but a device: I do believe it. Let me explain: Quantum mechanical uncertainty generates the near absolute certainty of Newtonian mechanics in a way analogous to how the statistical nature of genetics, behaviors and capacities generates useful behavioral and historical generalizations for evolution, species’ behaviors and even human behaviors. This is further analogous to our ability to make quite accurate predictions about climate, accurate means and standard deviations for various measures, while not being able to predict daily weather beyond fairly broad outlines.<br /><br />From a political point of view, if I can get the polity to focus on the conditions of uncertainty, then the actually clearer certainties can be ignored to my immediate advantage. To say this in terms of the metaphor in the essay: the statistical uncertainties are just another piece of the puzzle. I was careful to say “one final dynamic image.” I am primarily a biologist and my model for a completed puzzle is a homeostatic entity: all the parts are in constant change around very rigid parameters, integrations and relationships; in other words the living state (or ecological state or universal order) is allowed by the integrations of all the puzzle pieces. I certainly agree that human action must be part of the puzzle’s form, but the range of its form is far from unlimited; there is basically one way to be sane (agree with Reality) and a near infinite number of ways to be crazy! Nothing lasts very long that doesn’t fit its pieces together.<br /><br />I deeply appreciate being pushed to think through the ideas that I post – many of which could use more thought. Your responses have been gratifying in that being understood by another human being seems to be one of our needs. Thanks for satisfying mine.<br />James Keyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11059210373687674369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4739713151901293558.post-71908353302754974452013-12-07T13:06:54.123-07:002013-12-07T13:06:54.123-07:00I respect and appreciate your arguments here. Lots...I respect and appreciate your arguments here. Lots to think about. My one, strong disagreement is with your view that there is some single, correct, final formulation that all the pieces will form. As I live and grow, my sense is that truth is less clear and solid a thing as I once thought. It brings to my mind that conundrum of physics that occurs when trying to fix the location of a subatomic particle. How the very act of observation becomes a factor. So with things human, social and cultural, I suspect. What we desire, aim for, value, etc. and where we are, in terms of our own development and growth, is part of what determines the final shape of the puzzle.<br />I think your essay deserves a closer reading and a finer analysis than I've been able to give it. But I prefer making this not-quite-thought-out reply, than to make none. (FYI, I've found your last several posts interesting and very deserving of commentary as well. But for lack of time, focus, energy...)Kirby Obsidianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02914450223538699453noreply@blogger.com