Imagine a three dimensional construction of (intelligent) knowledge
elements, a kind of little machines.
The structure of this machinery is determined by the communication
channels between the elements (remember that an information being "grasps"
elements of the environment by intensifying the communication with these
elements). Useful communication channels reduce the difference between the
communicating element. This reduction of difference results in an
attraction. When an information being does not fit (pain experience), it
will increase its insulation between the contradicting elements. This
causes a repulsion. The complex play of attraction and repulsion between
the elements determines a three dimensional structure. The communication
channels determine the bindings. In fact this image corresponds completely
with molecular structures. This is not surprising because molecules are
such thought centers (although most of them not so developed as humans
beings), stable organizations of atoms, bindings between atoms are
communication channels.
22.5 Structures.
In the model described above, the (internal) context of the structure is
determined by the structure itself. Indeed, we must see this structure as
something very dynamic, parts are added, other parts split off the main
structure etc.
Because parts of the structure can split off and go their own way (as for
any organization), the context of a thought center is not necessary one
structure but is always a set of structures floating around (imagine the
structures as weight-less or floating structures in a liquid). The
simultaneous existence of several of these contexts corresponds with the
simultaneous existence of several fields of coherent thoughts inside one
organism. At any moment, there is one of these context structures
(coherent thought fields) which has control over the thought center
(current context). We can imagine the current context as one of these
floating constructions which is attached to a fixed point in the thought
center (not very accurate but useful image). This fixed attaching point is
called the subject hook.
22.6 Contact with the outside world.
The current context attached to the subject hook has control over the
thought center. The external behavior of the thought center (at this
instant) will correspond with the nature of this context.
By this communication channel, the current context is mapped upon elements
in the external world.
22.7 Energy.
The thought center is an organism (information being) which has of course
to gain its daily bread (energy). The structure of the current context
attached to the context hook receives most of the energy (or the loss of
energy in case of pain).
22.8 Context switching.
Imagine that the external condition suddenly change, the mapping of the
current context upon the external world (thought the subject hook) does
not fit any longer. This lack of coherence makes the current context repel
from the subject hook (floats away) to avoid complete destruction.
The context structure who just insulated itself from the external world attempt as soon as possible to find an explanation (change in internal structure) for the external change. The goal is to become synchronized with the external world to be attracted again by the subject hook and become the current context.
When the change of the external context is profound, the current context cannot be adapted and drifts further away from the subject hook. All other context structures in the thought center are permanently attempting to become in synchronization with the subject hook. This is possible although they are at a save distance (less intense communication) from the subject hook (similar to the current context after retracting itself from the subject hook). When one of the other contexts becomes synchronized with the external world, it gains control over the thought center and becomes current context.
It is clear that the previous context can regain control when the external
context is switched back to the original one.
22.9 Internal attraction and repulsion.
We have seen that the external context switching causes a repulsion and
attraction of different context structures.
Because these context structures are representations of external
relations, some external changes cause a change in the relations inside
the current context structure. By this, external changes can cause the
repulsion of parts of the internal structure or the attraction of new
elements to complete the current context structure. These changes are
completely analog to the context switching described above but they take
place at a more internal level inside the context structure.
22.10 Open endings.
When an external changes causes internal tensions in the model, parts of
the context structure can break off and leave open endings. Abstract
knowledge elements attempt to synchronize themselves with these open
endings. When they succeed, they become attracted by the open endings and
can enjoy the energy when participating in the internal dialog of the
context structure.
22.11 Construction of complex models.
Imagine a context structure as a model of the environment mapped on the
environment (current context). As far changes in the environment can be
anticipated or at least explained by the current model, the model can
maintain its position (having control) and its structure (no internal
tensions).
Suppose the model is faulty but it has not yet experienced it because it has not yet been in the right circumstances to experience the error. When the environment changes to the state where the error in the model shows up. The error causes internal tensions in the construction. The origin of the error is not always very clear but the general area of the problem is this area which corresponds with the unexpected experience. In this area, insulation between the elements increases and by this, the elements in this area become more detached from the context. From outside, this is experienced by an open ending and many abstract (universal) elements are hurrying themselves to fill in the places by this modifying the model in a way which fits at least with the current context.
The model modified by this includes too many details (the new abstract
elements have grasped anything in the open area and by this memorized the
entire situation of the problem). New changes in the environment (or
internal flow of thoughts) will shake off most of these new elements quite
soon leaving only those which can adapt themselves in all the known
situations (abstract model obtained by removing details).
22.12 Human thought centers.
The described image of thought centers is quite general.
Some thought centers (as in non biological molecules) are much simpler and
changes are difficult and cumbersome.
Thought centers in humans have more experience embedded at lower level.
This allows the elements to have a much clearer awareness of what is going
on. This is particular important when an error is detected in the model
(context). A broad awareness of the elements allows by means of internal
communication to determine quite accurately what abstract point in the
context is responsible for the error. This allows smaller and much more
subtle corrections. This difference of awareness allows human beings to
acquire the language ability with an ease which is very different from
even the most advanced animals.
22.13 Communication of complex models.
Human language makes intensive use of the capabilities of modifying
context structures as described above. It is a sequence of the creation of
smaller structures, rejecting them and make a new construction which will
attract the just rejected structure by its own. This happens at several
levels. For example, a word causes a context structure which is
immediately rejected. The next word is a new structure which can attract
the previous word. By this, a chain is formed. However, the chain is
constructed as such that there are several open endings at its side. These
open endings are fitting exactly some parts left open in previous
sentences or some parts that will be left open in one of the coming
sentences. By this very complex structures can be communicated in a
sequential way.
22.14 Similarity with biological molecules.
The sequential way of transmitting complex information structures of
language seems to me similar to the way the structures of complex
biological molecules and larger structures are encoded in our heredity
information. I can imagine that these tricks used by our language are an
externalization of ways of communication used since long time at this
level. Only in human beings, it is integrated sufficiently deep to be
externalize up to the level of communication between bodies. In animals,
the externalization of this mechanism might have been blocked at the level
of communication between cells.
22.15 Decay of context structures.
When a context structure or a part of it is not longer able to synchronize
its internal state with the main context, it repels from this structure.
Such detached structures do not fall apart right away. The possibility to
maintain their structure depends on the amount of energy gained when in
contact with the main context. Some parts of the structure may have been
used already before and have become stronger.
When the internal structure of a detached part cannot longer be maintained, at first the weakest bonds will break and the structure will fall apart in several smaller structures. The decay of each of these structures goes on and finally these structures will fall apart also.
However, when a part of a decaying structure can be used again in the
current context, it can join the current context as a whole and by this
regain energy and extend its lifetime.
This makes universal structures live forever (as long the thought center
lives).
22.16 Memory.
Short term memory is based upon the existence of the context structure
itself (not fallen apart yet). Several contexts can exist simultaneously.
This allows to switch between subjects. The survival of structures which
are reused several times is the base for long term memory.
Remark that a larger structure which has just been falling apart can easily be reconstructed because the required parts are all still around.