Resolving Duality

A fundamental 'cross-platform' concept in life is duality, the idea of the existence of opposites. A convenient way of representing this is a piece of string, each end being the opposite of the other, so good/evil, rational/irrational etc. This method then neatly suggests the existence of all in-between states in a spectrum. To fully extend the idea, consider each parameter to occupy one dimension in n-dimensional phase space, and you may 'plot' the position of any individual in that space (only, of course, as a hypothetical exercise).

Traditionally, the resolution has been to speak of, for want of a more precise phrase, a 'divine viewpoint' from which all dualities apparent from our 'mortal viewpoint' vanish. Now this has the feeling of a woolly get-out clause to me, so I needed a way to picture it. Cue return to the string model: the string is naturally pictured as occupying a single dimension, i.e. it's straight. Introduce a second dimension and the opposite ends may be bent round to touch each other - what were perceived in one dimension as being maximally separated may appear adjacent from a higher-dimensional viewpoint. Yet within the single dimension of the string, a hypothetical 1D observer would notice no difference.

Duality is resolved! I feel, though, that I'll have more to say on the subject soon...

So why a blog?

I have my own website, a raft of other interests and very little in the way of spare time, yet here I am plunging into the confused and murky waters of blogging. Why? Well, given that the waters are thus, it makes the whole thing rather interesting. Fluid. It hasn't yet calcified into dull expectation. I like the fact that blogs run from web-savvy schoolkids talking drivel to well-researched and argued political commentary. But this, I hope, will be a little different from the majority. I've never run with the pack, always burning my own tracks through life. Yes, there'll be random musings and links to something interesting (always with some personal comment), but the view will perhaps take in the scene from an unusual vantage, an angle previously unexplored.

A fresh project taps hitherto undreamed wellsprings of creativity, so I'll strap myself in for this ride (I love mixing metaphors!) and see where it goes - should be a good'un! Ah well, time to mix me a cocktail (4 p.m. IS respectable, isn't it?) and start cooking: Indian tonight, so much to do...