20 March 2003

Interconnected is thinking about knots How do knots form in things, without you trying? Random perturbation results in a move towards a stable configuration. What is it about the construction of the system and its environment that makes this possible, and probable? The science of knots will be important some day. We'll want to design in - or out - spontaneous knotting. Like power laws happen in city size and earthquakes and newspapers, what sort of systems encourage them? We'd direct Matt Webb's attention to the Ashley Book of Knots, the bible on (un)tying them ("You can not claim to have a serious interest in knots and ropework if you do not have a copy of 'Ashley' on your book shelf", says A Reader on Amazon.co.uk), and Knots, R.D.Laing's playful, poetic, but dark excavation of what is going on in human relationships. Should fit in nicely with his ubicomp and social network interests... They are playing a game. They are playing at not playing a game. If I show them I see they are, I shall break the rules and they will punish me. I must play their game, of not seeing I see the game. [Knots, 1] 1:09:32 AM     comments