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(Binary) Digital Transformation

We are certainly living now in the age of digital information. Computers, cameras, mobile phones, and already established entertainment media such as TV and radio are increasingly reaping the benefits of using information that is encoded in binary digital form (i.e. using the two digits 1 and 0). And potentially all information can be encoded in this binary manner!

However I have long felt that this explosion in information capability that we are now witnessing is likely to give way to significant problems with respect to personal and social development.

Put simply the binary system (for encoding information) is based on analytic interpretation that corresponds with just one logical system. Here opposite polarities in experience are clearly separated leading to the making unambiguous either/or distinctions e.g. subjective or objective, whole or part, true or false etc.

There are two great processes that continually interact in all development i.e. differentiation and integration and ultimately this system corresponds solely to the former aspect. Therefore when issues pertaining to the need for holistic integration with respect to knowledge arise from this system, they are ignored leading to basic reductionism.

So as it stands, if uncorrected, continual rapid development with respect to digital information is likely to lead to considerable fragmentation in experience.

What seemingly is entirely missed is that the digital encoding system has two related aspects. One of these - as we have seen - is geared to processing information (in a quantitative analytic manner). However the latter unrecognised aspect relates to the equally important issue of processing transformation (in a qualitative holistic fashion).

In the context of my holistic mathematical approach to development, I was able to see at a comparatively early stage of my deliberations that all possible stages of human development could be fruitfully encoded in a binary digital fashion. However in this context the binary digits 1 and 0 possess a holistic qualitative meaning.

It is fascinating how conventionally in mathematics a line (drawn in vertical fashion) is used to represent what we refer to as one (1). Also a circle - with very small modification - is used to refer to zero (0).

So the holistic qualitative aspect of the binary digital system is that transformation processes (physical and psychological) can be potentially encoded using both the linear (1) and circular (0) logical systems.
And in my holistic mathematical approach to the stages of human development, I have found that all possible stages that can unfold on the spectrum can be fruitfully encoded in terms of a unique configuration of the linear (1) and circular (0) logical systems.

Basically in earliest development these two systems (relating to conscious and unconscious respectively) are at a very embryonic stage and greatly entangled with each other. The first great task then in development is the successful differentiation of the individual ego (relating to the linear system).

Then what are referred to as the middle stages lead to the rapid specialisation of this form of understanding which is the established basis of conventional scientific and mathematical interpretation.


However in the major spiritual traditions further contemplative type stages have long been recognised. Here the second (circular) both/and logical system unfolds based on holistic recognition of the complementarity - and ultimate spiritual identity - of the polar opposites that condition all phenomenal experience.

In my own approach to the full spectrum of possible development this constitutes the third major band (following the lower and middle stages) of development. Then, admittedly for a very small minority, this too - like the linear - can undergo extensive specialisation and consolidation in a 4th band.

I now have three further bands on my spectrum - comprising what I refer to as radial development - where both the linear and circular systems that have already attained separate specialised development can now be increasingly used in conjunction with each other. Not surprisingly this represents potentially both the most productive and creative expression of human development.

Just as the two original digits in conventional mathematics 1 and 0 give way to many other digits (e.g. the prime and natural numbers), likewise this is true in a holistic sense. For example I have stated that in earliest development both the linear (1) and circular (0) systems are entirely confused with each other (before meaningful differentiation or integration can take place). The starting process of both differentiation and integration leads to the onset of primitive development which is the holistic qualitative equivalent to prime numbers (in conventional mathematical terms).

So my main concern for many years now has been to more precisely trace in holistic mathematical fashion, the dynamics by which this prime development arises. Remarkably this has led me deeply into formulating a corresponding holistic interpretation of the famed Riemann Hypothesis with the startling conclusion that the Hypothesis actually relates to a fundamental relationship as between both twin analytic and holistic aspects of interpretation. In other words the Riemann Hypothesis has no solution in conventional mathematical terms. Indeed it cannot be even be properly understood in a conventional mathematical sense!


However this is carrying us far afield at this stage.


My main intent here is to simply stress that the the binary digital system has two twin aspects that are quantitatively analytic and qualitatively holistic with respect to each other.

The first aspect is designed for the encoding of information; however the second aspect is properly designed for the encoding of all transformation (processes).

The present dramatic changes brought about in large part through the explosion of information in our society will require corresponding social and personal transformation to be properly accommodated. Thus there is an urgent need to recognise now this important latter aspect.

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