....As for other big picture views overlooking the nervous system the one example I know of that sort of does so are "Neural Nets", which are algorithms based on the nervous system applied to other things.... On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 6:28 AM JOHN TORDAY <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Gregg, thanks for your feedback. I would like to think that a rational > understanding of where we stand in the Cosmos would mitigate against all of > the fear-based things that we are experiencing, like Climate Change and > whether we have enough 'friends' on Facebook, but as a clinical > psychologist you know only too well that fear 'trumps' logic. I have long > been fascinated by the fine difference between stress as a motivator for > learning vs 'fight or flight'. The irony is that it is a strong, cohesive > social system that allows us to learn instead of flee, which is what we're > discussing, right? What I am driving at is that I see a pressing need to > reinstate reason as a valid mode of thinking instead of sound bites and > reactions. Just sayin'.....I look forward to seeing what you guys hammer > out and how you disseminate it. > > In this context, I have had an interesting interaction with a couple of > Profs at University of Liverpool interested in new ways of engaging their > students. One of them who is responsible for revamping the curriculum to > make it more relevant has been exposing me to a cybernetics guy name of > Stafford Beer who developed a way of designing businesses based on organic > principles. Turns out his theory is pretty much the same as the way I've > spun evolutionary biology interacting with the environment on a 'unit' > level. The other Prof is a physicist who has devised an entirely new > mathematics, so I'm hoping he can express both me and Beer digitally..... > Peace, John > > > > > On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 5:59 AM Henriques, Gregg - henriqgx < > [log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> Thanks for sharing this, John. I was not aware of the Journal of Big >> History until you shared with me that article a little while back. It is >> helpful to see and it seems that it would make sense to attempt to get an >> article on the ToK in that journal. As I have mentioned in a few of my >> writings >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.psychologytoday.com_us_blog_theory-2Dknowledge_201611_three-2Dcheers-2Dbig-2Dhistory&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=S-zmxb2525g27dbE-6aUIqhp3E8CXEm90Q--nuRqsV8&s=k7tlCCUFEueiZxqo4UsaGaDIhSBFx6wgsaTBbL3Y0pI&e=> >> and recent submissions, I see much overlap and connection with the Big >> History Movement and the ToK. [One important area of difference is that >> they do not include the mental order of nature, but rather jump from “big >> life” into early human ancestors. Interestingly, other big picture views >> overlook the nervous system >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__en.wikipedia.org_wiki_The-5FMajor-5FTransitions-5Fin-5FEvolution&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=S-zmxb2525g27dbE-6aUIqhp3E8CXEm90Q--nuRqsV8&s=IrF7em5uL-3yeBPIbcgsiP7HbZkFgthOQracPFdMrb0&e=>.] >> >> >> >> Regardless, you and I agree that we need better ways of connecting the >> silos and seeing the big picture. >> >> >> Thanks, >> Gregg >> >> >> >> *From:* tree of knowledge system discussion < >> [log in to unmask]> *On Behalf Of *JOHN TORDAY >> *Sent:* Saturday, March 30, 2019 2:12 PM >> *To:* [log in to unmask] >> *Subject:* Re: Age of Clarity >> >> >> >> Dear ToK Society, I applaud the effort of the ToK Executive Committee to >> try and devise a means of rectifying the immense confusion generated by the >> WWW, for lack of a better way to express the problem. Starting with the >> conflating of information and knowledge as if they are one and the same, >> and (perhaps) ending with the way that computer technology feeds into our >> already over the top narcissism, somehow there has to be a way to reassert >> relavent values into the processes of thought and action. I know that I am >> not a social scientist, but I am a member of society, so I have a deep >> concern for the direction that we as a species are (inadvertently) >> divesting ourselves of our past and tossing a Hail Mary pass. In my own >> small way I have joined forces with the Big History movement fostered by >> David Christian, a historian from Australia who teaches world history >> starting with the Big Bang. I have attached a paper to be publlshed in The >> Big History Journal (in press) merging of evolutionary biology and history >> as a way of 'appreciating' how we are connected through such big picture >> concepts as a continuum, not as silos of disconnected thoughts. As >> academicians we have a responsibility to do something about the chaotic way >> in which society has been disrupted by computerization. It's only a tool, >> not a life style dammit! >> >> >> >> Sincerely, >> >> >> >> John Torday >> >> Professor of Pediatrics >> >> Obstetrics and Gynecology >> >> Evolutionary Medicine >> >> UCLA >> >> >> >> On Mon, Mar 25, 2019 at 6:00 AM Henriques, Gregg - henriqgx < >> [log in to unmask]> wrote: >> >> Dear TOK Society Members, >> >> >> >> I am pleased to share with you a blog the TOK Executive Committee >> (i.e., Edward Kroger, Joe Michalski, Steve Quackenbush, Waldemar Schmidt >> and myself) published this morning, titled *Toward an Age of Clarity*: >> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.psychologytoday.com_us_blog_theory-2Dknowledge_201903_toward-2Dthe-2Dage-2Dclarity&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=S-zmxb2525g27dbE-6aUIqhp3E8CXEm90Q--nuRqsV8&s=xZjqKdSf0c88YmMPZMxNbSS8ulo7pMITBbTndMFZahA&e= >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.psychologytoday.com_us_blog_theory-2Dknowledge_201903_toward-2Dthe-2Dage-2Dclarity&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=tJMdUCNzZ3qT_wi5rStsBf4HfPOQz7hVmVOWgHu1hnU&s=0h4gqXGiB7xEXz8XB6fZqRhBweFtSxp-0mgTqAqDBkU&e=> >> >> >> >> Please check it out and share as broadly as possible. We think this is an >> important message to disseminate and get people talking about. Here is the >> “preface”: >> >> >> >> *In an ideologically-fractured culture, it is all-too-easy to lose sight >> of our common humanity. While there are many reasons for our collective >> failure to achieve consensus in the spheres of ethics and politics >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.psychologytoday.com_us_basics_politics&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=tJMdUCNzZ3qT_wi5rStsBf4HfPOQz7hVmVOWgHu1hnU&s=35d4M-8qHQrQbB51CiSv49yuDGNXaGT3CmufsupgldI&e=>, >> we believe that our current spiritual >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.psychologytoday.com_us_basics_spirituality&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=tJMdUCNzZ3qT_wi5rStsBf4HfPOQz7hVmVOWgHu1hnU&s=_zllZfSHTFqI2uZAnurRnWyEH60zmw5ipdVUusvjyxM&e=> >> malaise reflects, at least in part, a breakdown in our very capacity to >> share wisdom >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.psychologytoday.com_us_basics_wisdom&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=tJMdUCNzZ3qT_wi5rStsBf4HfPOQz7hVmVOWgHu1hnU&s=etzD1YN0V1JWn4hNPBOiJelqHgzXtIKCJ4H6HJ8gnvc&e=>. As >> such, we believe it is important to find ways to communicate that free us >> from unnecessary confusions and allow bridges to be built between refined >> knowledge systems and fundamental common-sense propositions. In short, if >> our society is to move from confusion to clarity, wisdom must be >> consolidated and shared in a way that fosters understanding and collective >> well-being. * >> >> >> >> Would love to hear reactions or thoughts or hopes if people have them. >> >> >> Best, >> >> Gregg >> >> >> >> ___________________________________________ >> >> Gregg Henriques, Ph.D. >> Professor >> Department of Graduate Psychology >> 216 Johnston Hall >> MSC 7401 >> James Madison University >> Harrisonburg, VA 22807 >> (540) 568-7857 (phone) >> (540) 568-4747 (fax) >> >> >> *Be that which enhances dignity and well-being with integrity.* >> >> Check out my Theory of Knowledge blog at Psychology Today at: >> >> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.psychologytoday.com_blog_theory-2Dknowledge&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=S-zmxb2525g27dbE-6aUIqhp3E8CXEm90Q--nuRqsV8&s=0ppWV3M7sr_AhtumsmPBXxjhyJuxRnme9Z5gtMGU-Oc&e= >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.psychologytoday.com_blog_theory-2Dknowledge&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=tJMdUCNzZ3qT_wi5rStsBf4HfPOQz7hVmVOWgHu1hnU&s=Q00Amy4oB2mSWJTlBSPeNbgt9JPfaxjy_28B6Ow6Vas&e=> >> >> >> >> ############################ >> >> To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: >> mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the >> following link: >> http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1 >> >> ############################ >> >> To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: >> mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the >> following link: >> http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1 >> ############################ >> >> To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: >> mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the >> following link: >> http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1 >> > ############################ To unsubscribe from the TOK-SOCIETY-L list: write to: mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the following link: http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TOK-SOCIETY-L&A=1