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Engaging with Questions of Higher Ordercognitive vigilance required for higher degrees of twistedness- / - This paper refers to three annexes: Twistedness in Psycho-social Systems: challenge to logic, morality, leadership and personal development (2004); DNA Supercoiling as a Pattern for Understanding Psycho-social Twistedness (2004); Functional complementarity of higher order questions (2004). Introduction IntroductionThis is an exploration of how significance is associated with being what is metaphorically described as "straight" (or droit in French) as opposed to being "bent", "twisted" or "warped" -- notably as in "going straight". Following the French, this may well be interpreted as "right-thinking". Specifically it is concerned with how higher degrees of "twistedness" are encountered in social interaction and in arguments in support of certain strategies. Is it reasonable to expect a straight anwer to a straight question under such circumstances? What might be the nature of questions and answers of higher order? The aim in this exploration is to recognize how twistedness works and the conditions under which its complexity is of "positive", as opposed to "negative", significance. This argument aims to clarify the nature of more complex forms of understanding that may appear "twisted" to others and may, or may not, indeed be usefully associated with "richer" or "higher" forms of cognitive insight --whether exemplified by "holiness" or "perversion". The argument relates to structural insights summarized in a separate paper (Strategic Opportunities of the Twice Born: reflections on systemic camouflage of mass deception, 2004). The approach here is through two lines of exploration. The first is through the extensive work on the phenomena of coiling and knottedness that are fundamental to magnetic, bio *** and specifically to DNA replication. The latter is related to the preoccupations of biosemiotics. In this connection, it is also appropriate to note here the importance of various forms of "coiling" in the symbolism of different cultures, whether the caduceus, the ourobouros, or more generally the coiled snake and its "satanic" associations dating back to Adam and Eve. The ambiguity of serpentine associations is illustrated by the symbolic status of Moses's Snake: "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life" (John 3:1-16 ). The second approach is through a review of current investigations into the taxonomy of questions and the insights of work of Arthur Young (The Geometry of Meaning, 1978; The Reflexive Universe, ***) as a template for interrelating higher order questions beyond conventional taxonomies.. Helicity or twistedness as a fundamental pattern in natureAs noted below helicity plays a fundamental role at all levels of the organization of matter, whether in the organization of galactic nebula, solar dynamics, dynamics of plasma in nuclear fusion technology, capillary structure (notably in the case of disease), as well as in the very structure and dynamics of DNA in biological cells. The purpose of presenting information here on helicity -- from a seemingly unrelated variety of fields -- is to provide clues for the subsequent discussion of the possible psychological implications of helicity, twistedness and knottedness. Cosmology and solar dynamics: As noted by L. H. Ford (Twisted scalar and spinor strings in Minkowski spacetime, 1980) with respect to the organization of spacetime, twisted field configurations in Minkowski spacetime are normally associated with a nonsimply connected space. however, it is shown that it is also possible to construct such configurations in a simply connected space. According to C. R. DeVore (A quantitative accounting of the magnetic helicity released in solar eruptive events. 2000), the helicity, or twistedness, of magnetic fields appears to be a key component of explosive activity on the Sun, manifesting itself in both eruptive prominences and delta sunspot flares. Simulations show the buildup of helicity in the solar corona due to the nonuniform rotation of the Sun, in amounts consistent with those observed to depart in the form of magnetic clouds imbedded in the solar wind. Electromagnetic fields: Research in space physics, astronomy and astrophysics over the last decade, increasingly reveals the significance of magnetic fields in these areas. These are induced by the motion of ionized matter, known as plasma, which is present in various forms nearly everywhere in the universe. The properties are described by the fluid theory called magnetohydrodynamics that is basic to research on nuclear fusion. As noted in Topological Structure of Electromagnetic Fields in Conducting Fluids:
Magnetic helicity is a function of the vector potential and the magnetic field. It measures the topological linkage of magnetic fluxes. It also manifests itself in the twistedness and knottedness of flux tubes. Through such helicity the linkage of a flux tube with all other flux tubes is preserved when the tubes are filled with infinitely conducting plasma. As noted by J H Hammer (Theoretical aspects of magnetic helicity, 1985):
Hantao Ji. Helicity, Reconnection, and Dynamo. 1999 [text]
Mark Richard Dennis. Topological Singularities in Wave Fields. 2001 [text]
Bellan Plasma Group of the California Institute of Technology [abstract]
Meterology: Cyclones, twisters and willy-willies: The largest type of thunderstorm on the planet is known as the supercell. All supercells have an overall rotating structure that contributes heavily to the development of tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons. They are formed from violently roating giant whirlwinds of air and dense cloud spiraling at over 120 km/hr around a central 'eye' of extreme low pressure. In the United States tornadoes are referred to as twisters and in Australia as willy-willies. They have been termed "the greatest perversion of nature". In the northern hemisphere, hurricane winds circulate around the center in a counter-clockwise fashion. Geometry and topology: Fundamental to all the above domains in which helicity plays a vital role, is the connection to the branch of mathematics known as topology. The equations describing a simple helix, a coiled-coil and a coiled-coiled-coil, are all of the same essential form. As noted by Vanessa Robins (Computational Topology at Multiple Resolutions: Foundations and Applications to Fractals and Dynamics, 2000):
It is in this context that particular torsion coefficients are identified to measure the twistedness of the space in order to provide such qualitiative information. It is topology that has been able to clarify the nature of helicity and the contraints on twisting and knotting operations that occur in each of the domains. As noted by Jason Cantarella, et al (Influence of Geometry and Topology on Helicity):
Topology has also explored more complex forms of helicity and supercoiling that are not currently identified with any physical phenomena. Knottedness: The theory of knots is a major area of topology. The genus of a knot is an expression of the degree of “knottedness” of a curve. In geometric topology, genus is the number of holes of a surface. Usually this means the maximum number of disjoint circles that can be drawn on the surface such that the complement is connected. [text] Higher dimensional spaces: knottings inside n-dimensional space have been described by Greg Friedman (Spinning constructions for higher dimensional knots, 2003):
Capillary vessels: The nailfold (the skin overlapping the fingernail at its base) is used in certain forms of medical diagnosis. Certain diseases cause permanent changes to the shapes and densities of nailfold capillaries and therefore nailfold capillaroscopy is important as a tool for diagnosing and monitoring these diseases. For example, B F Jones, et al (A proposed taxonomy for nailfold capillaries based on their morphology) propose a taxonomy for nailfold capillaries that cover six descriptive classes: cuticulis, open, tortuous, crossed, bushy and bizarre. The authors note that earlier studies found that mentally ill patients, and particularly those suffering from schizophrenia, differed from healthy controls in having a decreased number of capillaries and an increased number of bizarre shapes. A standard had been proposed for capillary structure based on their length, thickness (on a scale of 3), twistedness (4 scales) and plexus (5 scales), although rare structures (described as bi-lobed or triple-lobed and stunted) were excluded at that time . Biological DNA: DNA is a double stranded molecule composed of two polarized strands which run in opposite directions and wind around a central axis. As the double-stranded circular DNA twists around each other they form supercoils -- the axis of the double helix may itself be coiled up in the form of a helix.. This supercoiled DNA contrasts with relaxed DNA. These phenomena will be explored in greater detail below. The DNA's coiled structure expresses a clear magnetic imprint. Replication occurs at radio frequencies, although little is known about DNA's electromeganetic activities. Psycho-social twistednessIn a separate document (Twistedness in Psycho-social Systems: challenge to logic, morality, leadership and personal development, 2004) a review is provided of indicative web resources descriptive of "twistedness" in psycho-social systems. The document is organized as follows:
Possible isomorphism between "natural" and "psycho-social" twistednessThe question is whether the undifferentiated sense of "twistedness" experienced in people, groups and psycho-systems in general can be explored through the topological frameworks that are valued in providing understanding of the natural systems indicated above. Such a more orderly approach to twistedness might well offer insights that would make it possible to distinguish:
There are several indications of the possibility of such isomorphism. These are consistent with the theory of general systems, notably the work on living systems theory of James Grier Miller (Living Systems, 1978). John Fudjack (Saving Face: An Answer to the Puzzle Presented in 'Losing Face'. The Enneagram and the MBTI, 2000) points to the possibility of a vital link between the operations of DNA and those of consciousness, by reference to the puzzle of an Escher painting:
In this connection, Fudjack notes Hofstadter's example of the "looping back between informational levels' that takes place in DNA", before adding his own: "bilateral ribbons supercoiled into mobius strips". Such reflections assist reflection of the possibility of parallelism in the organization of the personality and the universe. Fudjack is exploring the addition of a third axis to the two that are basic to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) [more]. Another example is provided from an anthropological perspective by Lee Drummond (American Dreamtime: A Cultural Analysis of Popular Movies, and Their Implications for a Science of Humanity: A Theory of Culture as Semiospace. 1996):
Andrew McComb Kimbrough (The Sound of Meaning: Theories of Voice in Twentieth-Century Thought and Performance, 2002)
In another example, Thien-Thi Nguyen (Hyper-rationalism, 1998-1999) relates the degree of rationalism to twistedness understood in terms of a "2nd derivative" as a self-reflexive process of control (reminiscent of Hoftadter's preoccupation above and anticipating the discussion below of the work of Arthur Young):
He sees the "2nd derivative" as a "meta-view". This raises the question of how many degrees of self-reflexiveness merit consideration. But prudently he usefully notes:
DNA supercoiling as a pattern for understanding psycho-social twistednessThe insights above regarding "twistedness" reflect an intuitive "global" comprehension of complexity which calls for deeper and more detailed understanding how twistedness works and why it may be vitally important in some psycho-social processes -- as well as being highly problematic in others. Part of the difficulty in approaching this matter is that "twistedness" is in most cases used unthinkingly as a pejorative term to characterize a pattern which is felt to inhibit right-thinking and clarity. The argument here is that, given its importance at every scale in nature, from the organization of nebula to the organization of the human cell, there is a case for distinguishing various forms of twistedness and understanding their function. This could be especially valuable to reconciling apparently irreconcilable understandings in society. A review of twistedness in DNA is provided in an annex to this paper (see DNA Supercoiling as a Pattern for Understanding Psycho-social Twistedness, 2004). This is used as a basis for the discussion below. The annex has the following components:
Understanding of how DNA works has been much enriched by concepts from topology -- as a branch of mathematics that deals with structural properties that are unchanged by deformations such as stretching and bending. This use of mathematics is especially important because there is no experimental way to observe the dynamics of enzymatic action directly, notably with respect to knotting and coiling of DNA (see De Witt Sumners. Lifting the Curtain: Using Topology to Probe the Hidden Action of Enzymes, 1995; Xiaoyan R. Bao, et al. Behavior of Complex Knots in Single DNA Molecules, 2003). Potential significance of DNA coiling for reframing psycho-social twistednessThe merit of focusing on the nature and function of twisting in DNA is that it provides a rich natural template. It offers a sense of the degree of complexity that it may be required to master in order to comprehend how twistedness "works" in practice. It might also be argued that, as a process active in every human body and inherent to human life, humans may well have some kind of profound intuitive understanding of how it works and the "rightness" of such working -- however "twisted". Some of the very explicit dynamics of this process may also offer patterns for understanding how the inhibiting effects of "twistedness" may be addressed when they are perceived to be a constraint on human development. Conceptual links, associations and perversions: There is a case for considering how human identity might be described in terms of a structure isomorphic with DNA. Argument have already been made for a degree of equivalence between "genes" and "memes" -- but perhaps not to the point of clarifying their respective roles in mainting human invariance and identity (see Francis Heylighen. Structure of Memes, 1994) [more | more]. It could be worth exploring how semaqntic links are made and broken, whether within the individual psyche or within a group. Such processes could be related to some form of replication -- notably the form of transzcription associated with traditional "word-of-mouth" transmission of secret knowledge. On the other hand there is a recognition of "perverted" links, notably associated with sexual innuendo and double entendre, as perceived by those on the straight and narrow. Creativity and innovations: Since DNA replication may be understood as fundamental to cell replication and growth, there is case for consdering how an analogue might model human creativity and innovation. How do new ideas emerge to nourish the psyche? Could this be understood in terms of zipping and unzipping? Susan Blackmore (The Meme Machine,1999) explores the question of "dismantling meme-complexes" and "watching a meme unzipping other memes" (see Waking from the Meme Dream, 1996) -- which she uses as part of a meditative technique for "unzipping" (revealing) the illusory quality of the self or sense of self. Blackmore asserts: "Just as the design of our bodies can be understood only in terms of natural selection, so the design of our minds can be understood only in terms of memetic selection." [more] Degrees of corruption: For those "going straight" it is one thing to speak of a twisted or corrupted mind (or morality), and another to provide formal expression for it. How might degrees of twistedness then be distinguished ? How "bent" or "warped" can a person be -- or a group? How is a mind, perceived as twisted and corrupt, to be distinguished from one that is more complex without necessarily being corrupt? Presumably true corruption is to be associated with particular forms of knottedness -- of a type that does not permit the untying or unzipping necessary for healthy replication? But, whilst "simplicity" of a certain quality may be highly valued, how is the creative twistedness of some innovations and innovators -- such as Leonardo da Vinci (left-handed, homosexual, use of mirror writing, etc) -- to be distinguished from corruption? Or is it the corrupt nature of their twistedness which somehow catalyzes the creativity that emerges paradoxically from it? Organization of memory: It is curious that the mind typically receives information sequentially -- notably in the case of text and eye movemet in general. A comparison might be made with the topologically challenge of packing more than a metre of sequential information into a nanometre cell. There is an absolutely essential need for a system of folding and packing, and "organization" of some kind, that might be compared to supercoiling To achieve this the link configuration must be minimally modified -- giving rise to twisting and writhing. Activating memories -- to achieve meme expression (currently of concern in the USA in relation to the memetic threat of terrorism)-- may be associated with a process resembling zipping and unzipping. On the other hand it is understandable that pathology of memory and processes of the psyche may be associated with knots that cannot be unravelled -- as recognized by Ronald Laing (Knots, 1970) and in the "engrams" which the auditing process of scientology claims to "clear". Packing into a "globe": The topological dilemma of fitting DNA into a cell might perhaps be compared with:
Perception of "evil": Fundamentalists of different persuasions claim to be skilled in identifying "evil" and the "coils" of the "serpent". There is a case for honouring their perception of "coils" as a perception of levels of what amounts to complex supercoiling. This coiling may indeed threaten those on the "straight and narrow" with unforeseen change. Framed in this way the question then becomes how to distinguish fruitful from unfruitful change -- a challenge dating back to the Garden of Eden. But is coiling necessarily associated with evil -- especially if supercoiling is such an intrinsic feature at the cellular level? DNA can only be "straightened out" by "denaturing" it -- transforming it into a form that is biologically inactive, and impossible within the confiences of the human cell. Biological cell as the "Garden of Eden"It is worth reflecting on the degree to which creation myths, or the dynamics of the Garden of Eden, map metaphorically on to the organization and dynamics of a generic biological cell:
It is curious that the idyllic, paradisical Garden of Eden might be so intimately close -- ever present and active -- in reality, rather than so distant and "lost" as suggested by mythical accounts. Its dimensionality in spacetime does not appear to have been considered, or the manner in which the human being embodies it and is engendered by it - despite numerous web references associating "DNA" with the "Garden of Eden". (for example: Jeremy Narby. The Cosmic Serpent : DNA and the Origins of Knowledge, 1999) Helical organization of knowledgeAttempts have been made at various times to provide a helical organization of knowledge. One example was a particular model of the periodic table of chemical elements. Helical boring has long been of importance to ballistics, just as twist has been essential to strength of ropes and cables. Modern technology, notably in relation to electronics, has led to the discovery of products requring helical organization:
The fundamental status of the helical structure of DNA has given further legitimacy to attempts to organize insight in a helical manner: Helical pathway in therapy: J O Prochaska and J C Norcross (Stages of Change. Psychotherapy, 38, 443- 448). have produced a model of stages of change model (see Figure 3-4), which is a helical structure representing phases of change, repeatedly connected over a temporal course. Inspired by that model, Stephen Christopher Shaw (The Client's Helical Path: a grounded theory of unsuccessful therapy esxperiences, 2003) has articulated a model from interviews with clients who have had unsuccessful therapy experiences (and provided a powerful visual representation, his Fig 4-1). The model interrelates:
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