Revision as of 15:33, 15 November 2010

Introduction

Over time, we are becoming less and less interested in established symbolism, classical revivalism, or other ancient reconstructions. Science, religion, and philosophy have been racing for a good description of the world we live in. We live in a dynamic world of changes and complexity; few symbols are able to capture that.

To that end we propose the Fractal. It is a relatively new concept, coined by Benoît Mandelbrot in 1975: "Many important ... patterns of Nature are either irregular or fragmented to such an extreme degree that ... classical geometry ... is hardly of any help in describing their form. ... I hope to show that it is possible in many cases to remedy this absence of geometric representation by using a family of shapes I propose to call fractals..." (Mandelbrot, 1977)

At a glance, an image of a fractal set is very complex. One can see a general shape with rough edges. If we zoom in to examine these mysterious borders, we discover new shapes within them, new truths and nuances that were hidden to us at the lower levels of magnification. And these truths, upon inspection, are similarly muddy and complex. But they are familiar to us! They carry a structural-similarity to their parent shape.

The Fractal is one of the only symbols which does not seek to reduce the universe's complexity. Though complexity, many things are hidden from us. But the universe is ultimately knowable because it is recursive, self-descriptive, it features recurring patterns through which we can know both the large and the small.

This is the first teaching of the Fractal Cult.

The universe is infinitely complex, but recursive.

This is why your biological systems are a pretty good description of our society. (Your circulatory system, for example, has a lot in common with both the transportation system and the economy.)

You, Einstein, and Jeffery Dahmer have basically the same problems.

This is why it makes sense to talk about organizations with the same language we use to describe individuals.

The trials you face in day to day life are a synechdoche of the greater spiritual trials you will face during your life.

This is why you can see the truth in clouds.

Imagery

Image:

You are the cult leader, your fingers and toes are your followers. They must do rituals every day to support the Leader.

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7051/cram.gif

http://i.imgur.com/UtRpR.png

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/6817/fractalcultasabovesobel.png

http://www.smbc-comics.com/comics/20101101.gif

http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=27138.msg961818#msg961818

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4332275232_4bc74dd4b0_o.jpg

The Five Points

These are the five teachings of the Fractal Cult. Meditate upon each one.

http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=27138.msg958175#msg958175

First Teaching

• "The universe is a fractal."
• Image: the Mandelbrot set.
• The universe is infinitely complex, but graspable because it contains recurring patterns.

Second Teaching

• "As above, so below."
• Image: the tree of life, the Sierpinski triangle, the golden spiral.
• Structural similarities appear regardless of scale. The big picture can be observed in small things and vice versa.

Third Teaching

• Image: the fern, the leaf.
• Patterns occur multiple times at a the same scale. But each iteration is unique.

Fourth Teaching

• Image: the coastline, the Koch curve.
• The closer your observe something, the more complex it becomes. There are no simple answers.

Fifth Teaching

• Recursion
• Image: the dragon curve.
• Patterns repeat over time because they are reiterations of existing patterns.

Methodology

Methodology: Fractal Meditation

Transferrence: http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=27138.msg958172#msg958172

The hierarchy:

a) the world b) global politics c) local politics d) individuals e) the self

relationships exist between higher and lower levels or organization:

Vocab terms: Iteration. Tessellation. Homology.

homomorphism: http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=27138.msg958710#msg958710

Quotes

The dance along the artery,
the circulation of the lymph,
are figured in the drift of stars.
--T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Auguries_of_Innocence

redwood trees: http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_preston_on_the_giant_trees.html