I'm interested in how nonnative speakers of English learn to participate and to write and have found John Holland's model of complex systems easy to apply metaphorically to classroom learning. So, I'll first cover his model and then focus on the property of flows and the mechanism of building blocks in a former class of mine, showing how 1) students’ networks promoted the flow of knowledge within and across classroom boundaries and 2) their internal models for writing developed through the cross-over of schema building blocks. The two main points are that 1), unsurprisingly, classrooms are far from self-contained entities, even when teacher-directed, and 2) perhaps a little surprisingly, much of learning occurs through the recombination of the known rather than creation de novo.

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Frank Mosca

Hi Fred, this time around I am going to speak about the phenomenon of change and time as it relates to the larger theoretical setting and the clinical setting of people altering their attitudes and behaviors. I hope to bring in some dimensions of complexity/chaos theory as important elements in this picture. More specifically later, best, Frank

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Ivelisse Lazzarini

Ivelisse Lazzarini, OTD, OTR/L,
Creighton University
School of Pharmacy & Health Professions
Dept. of Occupational Therapy
Omaha, NE 68178

Meaning and Perception. It was published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy (20004).

I teach neuroscience and a course called neuro-occupation. Neuro-occupation is a conflate of philosophy, neuroscience and occupation; it is also the quest for understanding how humans through the meaningful occupations form the patterns of brain activity that lead to the habits and rituals of a life time. Well needles to say, I look forward to attending your conference to listen/share with others our meaningful work and occupations.

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Jeffrey Goldstein Adelphia University:

What’s Revolutionary About NDS and/or Complexity Theory?

A couple of months back there was a spirited discussion on the SCTPLS email list concerning a proposed name change for the society, a topic which has shown to pop-up now and then at business meetings and other forums. This discussion touched on the controversial issue as to exactly what it was that SCTPLS and its offshoots were all about. Central to that discussion, I believe, was also the issue of what we have all found to be revolutionary, and therefore, worthwhile about the new ideas emanating from NDS, complexity theory, and the like. Since it is not at all clear to me that we share the same valuations of these various ideas, in this presentation, I would like to facilitate a discussion on these issues, perhaps leading to some kind of collaborative review paper on our discussion.

Fred query: This mention of publication on a topic central to all of us raises the question I have been mulling over, on the possible publication of papers based on our conference. We could use other recent presentations not restricting it to this year’s presentations. How many would be willing to contribute to a volume of our papers?

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Mark Filippi:

Dr. Mark R. Filippi
Behavioral Consultant
The Extended Self Program
1890 Palmer Avenue, Suite 401
Larchmont, NY 10538

Beauty & The Brain - Hidden Dimensions of Well-Being

An interactive discussion of the salutogenic process and it's relationship to the development
of identity at the somatic and interpersonal levels. I'll explain the relevance of coherence to the
"binding frequency" of 40Hz and a low-tech approach to access it in everyday conversation.
I'll have some feedback to share on the use of these principles from my e-mail surveys. I'm
interested in seeing how these resources impact the special-needs families I'll be working with
this winter.
Key Words: Nonlocality, Sentience, Somatic Integration, Recursive Processes, Plasma States

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Jennifer Drury, Sacred Heart College

Linda, Martin, Jennifer 2004

I would like to talk about my very tentative research into the following:

Class Consciousness: Building Community in the High School Classroom

(I will eventually (in my PhD.) explore the effects of fostering community in the high school classroom on student achievement and creating an environment for dialogue and increased collective intelligence.)

It will be very brief. No more than a half an hour.

Here's the link I mentioned on SSI - http://www.lifwynnfoundation.org/marks_bro.html

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Dr. Robert M. Eldridge

Professor, Economics and Finance

Southern Connecticut State University

Fred: I'd like to do a short presentation on something called Gnostic mathematical applications to financial analysis.

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Robin Robertson

I'm not sure what I'll talk about, Fred. Why not just list "Evolution and

Intuition" as an umbrella topic, since I'm digging into such areas these

days.

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Jerry Chandler, WESS (Washington Evolutionary Systems Society)

Logical relations among the sciences: use of commutative diagrams

Tentatively, recent work on scientific symbol systems (Leibniz, Peirce, Cantor, Whitehead, and the meaning of chemical symbols) would be my topic of greatest interest to participants at the Winter ChaoConference. My views have become increasing radical with respect to the logical relations among the sciences and your friends would likely be interested in these alternative approaches to relations (commutative diagrams?) among meanings.

Cheers, Jerry

Abstract update:

Organic Mathematics or, "What is the matter with Matter?"

The objective of this talk is to introduce briefly the logic of a new mathematical system of matter, a proto mathematical system.

A brief analysis of the history of number theory shows the founding role of arithmetic operations in both mathematics and physics. Arithmetic operations are the common basis for both systems of calculation and systems of measurement. Both computation and measurement are said to be founded in the abstract logic of Boolean algebra and set theory.

Organic Mathematics is founded on the natural reference list of the atomic numbers of the chemical elements. Chemical particles are represented either as proto units or as proto numbers or as proto species. The logical terms of organic mathematics operate by forming dependencies between proto unit terms and proto number terms to create proto species terms (proto systems). The unit terms operate to unite parts into wholes. The dependencies created by organic operations conserve the proto terms as components of networks of merelogic relations. (The Greek concept of polygonal numbers serves as a metaphor for constructing of organic relations.) Compositions of proto species and proto systems grow by forming new relations among the terms.

The relations among organic terms are not for “all time and place.” Local circumstances contribute to the creation and dissolution of organic identities.

While mechanical mathematics is a generic coding system founded on mechanical calculations, organic mathematics is a specific coding system founded on organic calculations for preserving the species of proto numbers and proto units. Natural examples of structure preserving species include organics, organisms and organizations.

For simple natural systems, commutative diagrams relate the alphabetic, the mathematic and the organic symbol systems. The roots of the three symbol systems generate a coherent view of proto systems. Each commutative diagram creates correspondences representing name, matter, number and observations. The harmony of logical terms from natural, mathematical and organic languages allows the unambiguous usage of proto species and integer numbers in various scientific theories (such as chemical thermodynamics, genetics and clinical medicine.)

Fred (12/16/03):

Do you think the conference participants would enjoy reflecting on these images of man's imagination in preparation for the imagining of our internal worlds?

Cheers, Jerry

The Best of Hubble (Astronomy, Photography) —

<http://wires.news.com.au/special/mm/030811-hubble.htm>http://wires.news.com.au/special/mm/030811-hubble.htm
This is a slide show complete with audio.

Fred (12/20/03):

I found the images humbling. A source of perspective.

Jerry

[Editor’s note. A couple of us have looked at this amazing slide show. They do not have direct relevance to Jerry’s talk, but they fit the ideas of creativity, archetype, emergence, that pervades our conference, and certainly strikes at our awe and wonder of the universe.

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Tobi Zausner

Tobi, Irina, Bill, Jeff 2004 in Jeff’s forest

Chaos and the Dark Night of the Soul: The Role of Stress in Self-evolution

Who among us has never had a bad day? or a bad moment? or even a hard year? But difficult times can create a state of internal chaos capable of opening us up to new possibilities and to the profound changes in our lives necessary for self-actualization. This paper will examine the dynamics of change through the chaos of stress by looking at its manifestation in art from cultures around the world dating from antiquity to the present day. We will examine the Jungian archetype of transformation and refer to the philosophy of the great Spanish mystic, St. John of the Cross. For him, the Dark Night of the Soul is a time for reunion with the Divine, or psychologically, our highest nature within. Through visual art we will see how the inner self, emerges as the outer self falls away through the non-linear experience of self-transformation. We will also see how the cross-cultural symbolism of this experience has a fractal nature that makes it archetypal to the human condition.

Images can be seen at: http://www.tobizausner.com/

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Judith Nagib

Art and Existentialism in the Panopticon^1,2

I have put some thought and effort into setting up an art program in the women's prison where I am employed as a psychologist and have enjoyed the support of my peers and supervisors, some of whom are artists themselves, in this endeavor. My idea has been to introduce painting and drawing as a meaningful, transformative experience rather than simply as an exercise for patients-inmates to 'kill time' (of which they have so much on their hands). As an artist myself I am convinced of the transcendent function of painting (and to a lesser extent, drawing), and I believe that there is hardly a place or a population in greater need of transformation and transcendence than prisons and inmates, especially those who have been diagnosed with a mental illness. My presentation will describe the theory of transformative art, and provide some examples of the process as I have observed it in incarcerated individuals."

¹Fred’s footnote 1:
For those not familiar with Foulcault’s writing about the functions of prisons (Discipline and Punish), the “Panopticon” comes from one of Jeremy Bentham’s concepts of political and judicial reform. It was a conception for a prison called the “Panopticon” where the ability to see any of the prisoners led to prisoners controlling their own behavior. The prison’s omniscience is likened to the Christian god’s infinite knowledge, Freud’s superego, and surveillance by computer and electronic communications in contemporary society. For Foucault, crime and prisons are maintained in society as an excuse for a police force to extend the idea to surveillance of the whole population. Yes, George Orwell, 1984 and USA, post 9/11 (and pre 9/11 and 1984).

²Fred’s footnote 2:

Model 1; Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as a dynamical system.

dπ/dt = a*π – b*π*ρ*

dρ/dt = c*π*ρ + d*ρ*ς – e*ρ

dς/dt = f*ρ*ς + g*ς*σ – h*ς

dσ/dt = i*ς*σ + j*σ*τ – k*σ

dτ/dt = k*τ – m*σ*τ

This is a simple set of simultaneous ordinary differential equations where π, ρ, ς, σ, τ are variables representing the levels of physiological needs, safety needs, social needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization respectively. The appropriate choice of the constants, a-m, give the relative strength of influence of each level on the adjacent ones in the hierarchy. These interactions can be competitive or synergistic. Each level interacts only with the adjacent ones in the hierarchy in this model. This model is a 5D version of the Lotka-Volterra Prey Predator Model.

Fred Abraham, 12/23/2004,

for Judith Nagib’s Model & Imagery of the Existential Panopticon

1/1/2005 Judith response:

I see the creation of art in prison as a way for the inmate/patient to survive the panopticon. The mindset of an artist at the pre-expression stage of a work of art is not observable or controllable. That's why the support by prison administrators for "free" art in their facilities (not crayons and coloring books) is tepid at best. They would not be inclined to support an activity which is not fully controllable by them.

The permission-givers are suspicious about it, realizing consciously or unconsciously, that freedom is inherent in self-directed artistic expression. That undermines the whole purpose of the panopticon, i.e., to control them by acquiring information about all aspects of inmates/patients by observing them. Controlling as simple an environment as possible, one with the fewest variables on a very basic level, is the goal. The anticipated state of being in the inmates is learned helplessness, complete dependency on the controllers/observers, and rote obedience to commands and rules. Deviations from the desired responses are answered with rebuke, ridicule, harassment, intimidation, sensory deprivation and other forms of psychological and physical pressure.

What intrigues me about the existentialist aspect of all of this, is that the panopticon provides, unintentionally, an environment where higher needs can be contemplated (since ψ the prison is satisfying the basics). While the goal of the panopticians is learned helplessness, why does that have to be the exclusive outcome? Should it ultimately matter where or who provides the basic needs? Whether it happens from living in a monastery in the desert or being sent to a prison, are we not then free to contemplate the higher Maslowian needs—such as self-actualization and the existential questions of meaninglessness, freedom, isolation and ultimate death? Art is one vehicle of expression of these ultimate concerns and human struggles. To answer your thought, that is how art, existentialism and the panopticon relate.

Regarding how the Prey-Predator model and your algebraic formula of Maslow applies:

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems that the basic survival needs correspond to the "predator" part of the model, and the higher order needs of self-expression and existentialist purpose correspond to the "prey" part.

As the power of the "predator" infringes (i.e., basic living needs diminish, in other words) on the "prey", i.e., artistic-existentialist expression is limited as a principle of self-organization. Put another way, the purpose of the panopticians for satisfying the basic human needs of inmates/patients is to infantilize them so that they learn to be helpless and dependent on their captors, thus controllable; it is NOT to provide a venue for existentialist transcendence (in this case, through the creation of art).

Does this make sense?

Fred’s response:

This is a case where a casual modeling attempt has prompted more realistic improvements. Judith suggests a role for the panopticon (which could be broken down into several variables, but for now we will leave it as a single variable, ψ), which was not included in model 1. It could be included as special functions of the constants in the equation of Model 1, but if allowed to vary itself by interaction with the variables included there, it should have its own differential equation, and appear in at least one of the other equations. Judith proposes to have it interact with π, physiological needs, but I think one could make a case for its interacting with all the Maslow variables, thus I propose adding ψ in a term for each existing equation. Thus a Model 2 could be something like:

Model 2: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs butts heads with the Panopticon.

dπ/dt = a*π + b*π*ρ* + w*π*ψ

dρ/dt = c*π*ρ + d*ρ*ς + e*ρ + x*ρ* ψ

dς/dt = f*ρ*ς + g*ς*σ + h*ς + y*ς*ψ

dσ/dt = i*ς*σ + j*σ*τ + k*σ + z*σ*ψ

dτ/dt = k*τ + m*σ*τ + x*τ* ψ

d ψ/dt = n* ψ + p*π*ψ + q*ρ*ψ + r*ς*ψ + s*σ*ψ + t*τ*ψ

This model is written with only + signs, leaving the negative signs to proper choice of the constants (Latin letters; variables are Greek).
The nonlinear interactions are all simple cross products, one added to each of the Maslow variables; five added to the Panopticon variable (last equation).
This is close to the simplest model one could propose, though choosing constants of 0 can make many simplifications. Which just shows to go you that models can fast become fairly complex, here with 6 variables, and 24 constants, not a great ratio, but you ought to be able to make it do most anything if you can read the results.

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 Bob Porter (abstract: philosophy and practice of science)

Bob Porter, Clinical and Consulting Psychologist, Tampa, Florida; Clinical Psychologist and Outpatient Therapist, Directions for Mental Health, Clearwater, Florida; Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of New Orleans.

rjporter@mindspring.com, www.mindspring.com/~rjporter

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Bill Sulis

Archetypal Dynamics: The Reality Game

I will present the basic dynamical underpinnings of archetypal dynamics, focusing on the combinatorial game aspects, its connections to modal logic.

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Irina Trofimova

Theory of Random Graphical Dynamical Systems

Some recent results on the graph theoretic structure of the connection graphs of a simple random graphical dynamical system model. These extend earlier results on the connectivity phase transition and exploring in more detail the structure of these connections.

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Karen Vander Ven Professor, Applied Developmental Psychology, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh

The Developmental Life Span Theory of Erik Erikson:
A linear or non-linear dynamical systems model?

Karen Vander Ven, Ph.D.,

The developmental life span theory of the famous psychoanalyst /developmental psychologist Erik Erikson has occasionally been criticized for being a linear, sequential "stage" theory. Is it really ? This presentation will give a synopsis of Eriksonian life span theory (based on an ongoing analysis of his works). Following will be a brief review of current dynamical systems thinking, including that now being applied in developmental theories. This will serve as a lens for viewing Eriksonian theory in a non-linear dynamical systems framework. Findings will be presented to show where, if at all, non-linear dynamical systems concepts are reflected in Erikson's work.

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George J. Muhs University of Bridgeport

Since this group tends to be more metaphoric, I decided to delve back into my old life in the film industry. My topic would be on:
"The Nonlinear Drivers of the Creative Process: Tales from the Trenches of Motion Picture Special Visual Effects"

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Linda Dennard ETHOS Department of Government, University College Cork,Cork, Republic of Ireland, l.dennard@ucc.ie


Linda	With daughter in Cork Feb 2004

Music and non-symbolic space: The discomfort of the Public

Max Weber wrote about the ‘rationalisation’ of music in the same vein as he wrote about the bureaucratisation of organisations – the habits of consumership and administrative practice becoming iron boundaries around ideas and processes so that what survived were the habits and their offspring and not much else. Some of the dilemma in discussing music as a force in the formation of civic culture is this concern for rationalisation – a syncopated rhythm emerging between a political idea and a piece of music in the manner that Hitler used Wagner. The dilemma might be addressed by reconsidering the nature of musical ‘space.’ The paper suggests that music is more than a product for consumption, technical analysis, or ideological cheerleading, but rather an attractor basin for diversity. The dynamic qualities of this musical space suggest a disposition for political leadership in which the arts may yet play a role in the creation of sustainable civic culture, one that accepts the discomfort of emerging relationships that exist only coincidentally with political ideas.

A fred comment: This is a great ideal, but I would submit that nurturing individuality and diversity in music is as difficult as fostering these qualities in other areas of culture, and that it is a struggle to have the forces for individuality prevail over those of conformity, or a for achievement of a mid-dimensional balance between them prevail. I think that Linda’s program is an admirable one in trying to achieve such a goal. Obviously this struggle has to occur over all cultural facets, as none are independent of the others.

Hi Fred,

Finally had time to read your comment on my abstract. Thank you. I will try not to feel dismissed by it—because that is not what you meant to do. Bless you. But I probably should respond. In teaching bureaucrats all these years, I have become used to the 'real world argument' as a limit on what can be discussed practically and have come to say to them that what we choose to adapt to sets the limits of our thought and our actions. All circumstances are ideal, in that there are always more unopened doors than we can count in the complexity of any given moment, however imperfect that moment may be - so we are constrained only insofar as we are unwilling to make a leap, do an about face, dance with the enemy, or at least recognize the complexity. ETHOS will never solve the problems of society in any classical, direct/reformist manner (it is indeed discouraging to think about who we would have to control to do that, and frankly there are just some folks I would rather not adapt to) but perhaps we can generate other patterns of relationship (from life as it is rather than from our models of it) that produce new possibilities for an emerging future that is different from the past—choosing not to settle for what spoils we can negotiate after the dust settles on our battle with evil.

And that is your classic argument from someone trying desperately to escape dualism by any door available. Thank you for your words of support, Fred.

Looking forward to next week and seeing you and Priscilla.

warmest, L

Hi, your fineself Linda,

You are right. I was not being dismissive, or even critical of the apparent isolation of music from other aspects of culture. Postmodern discourse often focuses on some items of culture that become a window to the whole issue of discourse and emancipation (e.g., Benjamin, Buadrillard, Kristeva, Cixous, Haraway, Wolmark, etc.), and I am well aware that you stand in the midst of that tradition, as you demonstrate here. I was just meaning to highlight that extension of your topic.

Priscilla and I are looking forward to seeing you at the conference and welcoming you to our Vermont hide-away.

With respect and appreciation, fred

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Martin Gardiner

Music as an Agent within Personal, Cultural and Civic Development

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Carlos Torre Yale and Southern Connecticut


Carlos at Snowflake 2004	Kai y Carlos, Puerto Rico, horsing around

The Ecology of Education

Currently, education, like modern society, is at a complex, and somewhat turbulent, turning point with few apparent historical precedents. For example, as a result of almost universal access to the Internet, home and cellular phones, television, radio, newspapers, a continuous bombardment of commercial and political propaganda, and other forms of communication, our students are, for the first time in human history, literally drowning in information. Paradoxically, however, they are starving for wisdom and for guidance of how to discriminate effectively among such an enormous volume of information and of how to organize, make sense of, and apply it in their daily lives. Simultaneously (and as a consequence of this same phenomenon), the level of complexity of social problems and interactions is so high that it is almost impossible to achieve solutions from any single perspective or academic discipline. Clearly, then, most any educational undertaking, nowadays, demands greater collaboration and team-work that is grounded in a full range of diverse interdisciplinary perspectives than ever before.

Educators need to develop a global or “ecological” awareness of education that allows them to perceive complex patrons, inter-connections, and influences among diverse elements of educational problems and their attendant human dynamics so as better realize their roles as educators and better understand the educational environment in which they function. Thus they prepare to handle themselves more effectively in this environment and enhance their efforts to leave it better than they found it.

Analogous to the ecology of nature, an ecological perception of education reconciles philosophy, foundations, linguistics, economics, social policy, psychology, physiology, biology and other life sciences, culture, poetry, story-telling, theater, mythology, and so on. My presentation concentrates on how to do this (as the song by The Guess Who says) “without losing track or coming down a bit too hard.”

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Fred Blueberry Brain Institute, Waterbury Center, VT, USA & Department of Psychology, Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Philippines

 Cyborg

Cyborgs, Cyberspace, Cybersexuality and the
Evolution of Everyday Creativity

Everyday creativity lives at the fractal imbrications of the individual and culture, which are evolving in some very rapid ways. Advances in science and technology drive much of this evolution. Some of these advances are in computer systems (cyberspace); some are in the hybridization of the human body with robotics (cyborgs); and some are in communications, artificial intelligence, cloning, genetic manipulation, stem cell research, pharmaceutical and molecular manipulation, nanotechnology, and so on. This evolution influences the programs of emancipation suggested by postmodern social theory and philosophical hermeneutics. Cybersexuality is a prime example.

This evolution also involves two very fundamental human motivations, those for optimizing knowledge and for optimizing stability. The quests for truth and for stability are at once two sides of the same tapestry, sometimes in competition with each other, and sometimes synergistic, but always interactive, playing in the same attractor. Creativity lies in exploring where and how to weave within these fractal imbrications. And creativity requires instability.

Let us have an unstable discussion concerning some aspects of this evolution.

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update 2/20/05

Blueberry Brain Institute

Dr. Robert M. Eldridge

Judith Nagib

Irina Trofimova

Linda

With daughter in Cork Feb 2004

Music and non-symbolic space: The discomfort of the Public

Martin Gardiner

The Ecology of Education

Fred Blueberry Brain Institute, Waterbury Center, VT, USA & Department of Psychology, Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Philippines

Cyborgs, Cyberspace, Cybersexuality and the Evolution of Everyday Creativity

Cyborgs, Cyberspace, Cybersexuality and the
Evolution of Everyday Creativity