From: Matthew Poot (mattpoot@hotmail.com)
Date: Sun Mar 21 2004 - 20:14:09 GMT
Hello everyone,
In my previous post on diversity, I wanted to introduce certain ideas I have
concerning the judgement of people, and basically the decision making
'process' vaguely..
These Ideas being, in summary: The more open one is to the unknown, new,
strange, --->Dynamic, the propensity to rely on static repertoire (history
of experience) diminishes. I feel this is important, because the more one
relies on static repertoire for guidance (either conciously, or
subconciously), the more one will increase his/her/it's propensity towards
dependency on the static. I will use an analogy to explain this/these.
Dont take this analogy as concrete, because I could write an infinite amount
of possibilities (hypothesese)
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There is a cross-country skiier. This skiier goes to a large park nearest
their area of residence to go skiing. Let us say that this park is so large,
that its boundaries are unknown to the skiier. The first time they strap on
their skiis, and begin to venture into the park, there are no tracks from
other cross country skiiers. So, the skiier goes on, making a new trail,
moving on a path that is not set physically, but which it's only direction
is unspecified. The skiier chooses to go here or there, based upon various
values of Quality . Once the skiier is satisfied with the distance they
have crossed, they have two choices, which are based upon their tendencies
developed by previous experience (static-repertoire):
1: They can go back on the same route that they originally travelled. This
seems to be a suitable solution, because it is much easier to ski on tracks
already made, because it decreases the friction, therefor making it less
physically and mentally demanding . This is known as the "easy" choice.
There is nothing inherently worse or better with this?
2:They can circle around, and continue to forge a new path, which takes them
back to the point of origin. This choice leads to the most variety in
physical and mental demands, due to the fact that they have to travel
through untrodden snow. This is known as the "hard" choice. There is
nothing inherently worse, or better with this ?
Now, there are effectors which can change the choices made by the skiier.
These are: What wax has the skiier used? Is it the most suitable for
travelling through "fresh" snow, or snow that is compact due to previous
use. Is it suitable for wet or dry snow, or is it an all-purpose wax? Are
their ski's best fitted to them? How warmly are they dressed?
The next time the skiier goes skiing, they again have the choice between #1
and #2. This choice is there, as long as they continue to ski.
However, if they choose #1 here are some possible results:
They make this choice, because the more you travel on the same path, the
more easily you glide upon the surface (due to reduction of friction), and
the faster (going fast is a thrill, I'll have to admit) you can go.
If they do this once or twice, they may ask "hmm... what will happen if I
change my wax from waxAP(all-puropse) to WaxEZ-Glide, I wonder what the
difference will be?"
This question is a direct result of Dynamic-Quality, and Static Quality
interacting with one another. This is known as Coherence.
If they choose then to use the EZ-Glide, and find that it really makes them
glide effortlessly across the path, then they will no doubt gain a lot of
satisfaction from this. This initial satisfaction develops a bond between
the person, and that path. They can/will begin to look at it, as their path
(not in the form of possesion, but rather with the attitude that "I made
this path, before anyone". They will in turn, enjoy travelling this path,
and remembering various experiences they have had while travelling it. They
have the special 'bond' with the path, and sort of 'like' it.
Now, when they keep travelling this path, and certain events which happen
and are completely out of control. Let us say, that they are travelling one
day, **near the end of their path, and they hear a tree fall in the forest,
and they are curious about it. They decide to see what exactly has
happened. So, they break out of they;re own path to head towards the origin
of the sound. On the way there, they find that since it is difficult going
through the snow (Due to the selection of wax being EZ-Glide).
**= If they made a new path near the origin, (root of the path) then they
would be able to travel to the new area more easily. This is a direct
analogy to Pirsigs idea of drifting laterally. Expanding thought from the
root, instead of branching out. It opens up more possiblities, while
leaving others open for branching, while branching is limited.
They keep going towards it. Here is where they again use the relationship
of DQ(treefalling, inquisitiveness) with SQ(Skiing experience) --->
COHERENCE.
As they keep going, farther, and farther (no specific distance specified
here)focusing on finding the tree, they see a huge tree that has fallen.
They go close to it, and look at it, around it. Then once they become more
familiar with it, and they're attention wanes, they look at where they are.
Suddenly they find that they are in a beatiful area, with all sorts of new
biological life (trees, plants, animals). The aesthetic response is strong.
They notice it's getting dark, so they head back, thinking of what they have
found.
The next time they go skiing they don't have the time to go all the way to
the end, and can't go back to the fallen tree.
The next time they go skiing and they do have time, they are still using the
EZ-Glide, because they have already made a path. However, when they reach
the spot where the path is supposed to be, it is mostly covered with
wind-blown snow. Depending upon their physical state, they either choose to
keep going, or to head to the tree. They're phsical status is determined by
their Static Repertoire (If they have travelled mostly on the same path,
they are less physically fit ).
Depending upon the static-repertoire, they choose to forget about the path,
because they are not as fit to travel it (ah....I don't feel like doing it
today--sort of thing)
But.....BUT, this does NOT mean that they will forever choose the "easy"
path. They might get 'sick of it' and then change the wax they use, and
venture out.
This depends upon COHERENCE.
I 'believe' that the type of skiis they use also have a great deal of impact
on their decisions.
Type of Skiis ---> is a direct analogy for...how can I say
it.....Intelligence? But it goes way beyond what any word such as
'intelligence' can possibly begin to describe.
They can , based on they're skiis, be able to do more things. If they have
better (more intelligent) skiis , then they can "go to more places". This
is not to say that they can only have 1 set of skiis they're whole life.
They can change them.
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As you can see, DIVERSITY is throughout this whole analogy. Diversity is
very important. It is similar to the Dynamic.
Also, you can see how COHERENCE is?
DQ===>Coherence<=====SQ
Anyways, I don't have time to finish this up, or to edit what I have
written.
Comments are appreciated.
Matthew Poot
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