Statements on Disorder

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The Posthuman Manifesto

4. Statements on DisOrder and DisContinuity

4.1. Order and disorder are relative, not absolute, qualities. The proof that order and disorder are relative qualities lies in the fact that they define each other.

4.2. Anything we perceive can be considered to contain different degrees of order and disorder. The perception of order and disorder in something is contingent on the level of resolution from which it is viewed.

4.3. What we perceive as ordered and disordered is often culturally determined. Logicians will assert that there are mathematical ways of defining disorder, entropy and complexity - ways that are independent of Human subjectivity. Whilst these definitions may be useful in certain applications they remain open to relativistic interpretation.

4.4. In Post-Human terms, the apparent distinctions between things are not the result of innate divisions within the structure of the Universe, but a product of:

the way in which the sensual processes in living entities operate.

the variety of ways in which energy is manifested in the universe.

4.5. The ways in which energy manifestations are perceived by an observer can always be described with two simple qualities - continuity and discontinuity. Continuity is non-interruption of space-time. Discontinuity is a rupture in space-time. Both qualities can be discerned in all events depending upon how they are viewed.

4.6. Energy manifestations should not be thought of as intrinsically continuous or discontinuous, that is there are no absolute qualities of energy. Energetic states will appear as either continuous or discontinuous to an observer depending upon their viewing position. The quality of dis|continuity is context sensitive.

4.7. What distinguishes things from each other is the perceived discontinuity which they display. The difference in manifestations of energy between a Philosopher and a chair allows us to distinguish them.

4.8. In Post-Human terms we can see that, whilst there may be no intrinsic divisions between things (since all things are expressions of energy) an organism will perceive differences since energy is manifested in different ways and an organism is sensitive to different levels of energy. These varying manifestations of energy can be perceived as either continuous or discontinuous, these qualities being entirely relative to each other. Things seem to be separated from each other. The existence of order or disorder is, therefore, a function of both the perceptual apparatus and the expression of energy. Order does not exist separately from its perception.

4.9. The level of complexity in a system cannot be defined in objective (that is absolute) terms. Complexity is a function of Human cognition, not an intrinsic property of anything we might look at.

© Robert Pepperell

The Posthuman Manifesto 4. Statements on DisOrder and DisContinuity
4.1. Order and disorder are relative, not absolute, qualities. The proof that order and disorder are relative qualities lies in the fact that they define each other. 4.2. Anything we perceive can be considered to contain different degrees of order and disorder. The perception of order and disorder in something is contingent on the level of resolution from which it is viewed. 4.3. What we perceive as ordered and disordered is often culturally determined. Logicians will assert that there are mathematical ways of defining disorder, entropy and complexity - ways that are independent of Human subjectivity. Whilst these definitions may be useful in certain applications they remain open to relativistic interpretation. 4.4. In Post-Human terms, the apparent distinctions between things are not the result of innate divisions within the structure of the Universe, but a product of: the way in which the sensual processes in living entities operate. the variety of ways in which energy is manifested in the universe. 4.5. The ways in which energy manifestations are perceived by an observer can always be described with two simple qualities - continuity and discontinuity. Continuity is non-interruption of space-time. Discontinuity is a rupture in space-time. Both qualities can be discerned in all events depending upon how they are viewed. 4.6. Energy manifestations should not be thought of as intrinsically continuous or discontinuous, that is there are no absolute qualities of energy. Energetic states will appear as either continuous or discontinuous to an observer depending upon their viewing position. The quality of dis\|continuity is context sensitive. 4.7. What distinguishes things from each other is the perceived discontinuity which they display. The difference in manifestations of energy between a Philosopher and a chair allows us to distinguish them. 4.8. In Post-Human terms we can see that, whilst there may be no intrinsic divisions between things (since all things are expressions of energy) an organism will perceive differences since energy is manifested in different ways and an organism is sensitive to different levels of energy. These varying manifestations of energy can be perceived as either continuous or discontinuous, these qualities being entirely relative to each other. Things seem to be separated from each other. The existence of order or disorder is, therefore, a function of both the perceptual apparatus and the expression of energy. Order does not exist separately from its perception. 4.9. The level of complexity in a system cannot be defined in objective (that is absolute) terms. Complexity is a function of Human cognition, not an intrinsic property of anything we might look at.

	© Robert Pepperell
	© Robert Pepperell