The Primacy of Fractal Interdependence

I've come to the conclusion that the primacy underlying everything in the world, including consciousness and matter, isn't "stuff", but relationships. A fundamentally relational reality. I am not the first to come to this conclusion.

Although I do not think that the word "relationships" encapsulates the idea in any sufficient way, it shall suffice for now. A better word might be "angles" or "corners" or "edges", but I find those too geometric.

The intent of this essay is to build up a series of reasoning steps, through simple observation, that have led me to this conclusion, then to talk about the implications and power this realization holds.

Introduction

Our quest to understand the nature of reality often focuses on tangible "things" - objects we can see, touch, and measure. However, a deeper examination reveals a profound truth: the fundamental basis of everything in our world is relationships, not objects or substances. This essay explores this concept, starting from simple observations and building towards a understanding of our universe that challenges the conventional perceptions and opens up new possibilities for how we interact with the world around us.... once you see it.

The Primacy of Relationships in Architecture

Consider this: four walls stacked on top of each other don't make a room. While the walls are crucial and define 99% of the space in volume, it's the corners that have primacy. A basic room is defined not by its walls alone, but by the relationships between these walls - the corners where they meet, where floor joins wall, where ceiling intersects with wall. These relationships between planes give the room its shape, character, and functionality.

Architects understand this intuitively. They don't just design walls; they craft relationships between spaces. The flow from one room to another, the interplay of light and shadow, the balance between open areas and enclosed ones - all these are about relationships. Skilled architects manipulate these relationships to create experiences, evoke emotions, and shape behavior. It's not the individual elements, but how they relate to each other that truly defines a space.

This concept extends beyond buildings. In urban planning, individual structures don't make a city; the relationships between them do - streets, plazas, the interplay of private and public spaces. These relationships determine how we move through the city, how we interact, how we live.

Relationships as the Basis of Everything

This principle works everywhere. In biology, complex relationships between cells create life, not individual cells. An organism is a symphony of cellular interactions, hormonal signals, and neural connections.

In ecology, no species exists in isolation. Each is defined by its relationships - predator and prey, symbiotes, competitors. The web of these relationships creates ecosystems, which in turn form the biosphere.

Even in physics, at the most fundamental level, particles exist through their interactions with other particles and fields. The properties we associate with matter - mass, charge, spin - are all about how these entities relate to each other and to the fabric of spacetime.

The Illusion of "Stuff"

This brings us to a radical idea: "stuff" itself is an illusion. What we perceive as solid, independent objects are actually complex systems of relationships.

Modern physics supports this view. At the quantum level, particles exist in states of superposition and entanglement, defined more by their relationships than by fixed properties. Even at larger scales, what we think of as a solid object is mostly empty space, held together by electromagnetic relationships between atoms.

Our perception of distinct "things" is a useful approximation for navigating the world, but it's not the fundamental reality. Reality, at its core, is relational.

Fractal Interdependence: Shaping Consciousness and Experience

This relational nature of reality exhibits a fractal-like quality, with patterns of relationships repeating at different scales. I call this "fractal interdependence."

Our consciousness is not just an emergent property of fractal interdependence, but exists purely as a result of this relational reality. Consciousness arises from the intricate web of relationships between neural patterns, sensory inputs, and our environment. New relations - whether they be experiences, impacts, or even meals - change what we are conscious of because contrast leads to awareness, which in turn leads to consciousness.

It's crucial to understand that there is a vast amount we aren't conscious of. Our awareness is selective, focusing on the relationships that create the most significant contrasts or changes in our experiential landscape. Consciousness, therefore, is born of relationship - it's the process by which we become aware of the differences and connections that define our reality.

By recognizing this fundamental nature of consciousness, we gain a powerful lever for shaping our awareness and, by extension, our experience of reality. Just as an architect shapes experience by manipulating spatial relationships, we can shape our inner experience by attending to and modifying the relationships that form our mental and emotional landscape. This understanding opens up new possibilities for personal growth, mindfulness practices, and even therapeutic approaches that focus on reshaping our relational patterns.

Real-World Examples

This relational perspective offers profound insights into how we can consciously shape experiences and emotions:

Architecture: By adjusting the literal angles between planes in a room, we can produce different conscious effects. High ceilings can increase creativity and openness, while lower ceilings may induce feelings of coziness or even slight claustrophobia. The interplay of light and shadow can influence mood, while the presence of natural elements can reduce stress and increase overall well-being.

Disney: The magic of Disney parks is a masterclass in manipulating relationships to create powerful emotional experiences. By carefully orchestrating contrasting experiences - from the thrill of a roller coaster to the calm of a boat ride - Disney creates opportunities for family bonding. These experiences are imprinted more deeply due to the slight dose of adrenaline, creating lasting memories. When they say "the magic" they are referring to this phenomena.

Physiological Responses: The relationships within architectural spaces can even influence our physiology. Certain spatial configurations can increase cortisol (stress hormone) levels (looking at you Seattle Central Library), while others might boost oxytocin (bonding hormone) or increase vagal tone (promoting relaxation). In extreme cases, specific architectural designs could even induce fear or anxiety.

Implications of a Relational Reality

Embracing a relational reality has profound implications:

In science, it drives us to focus more on systems and interactions rather than isolated components. It leads to new approaches in fields like quantum computing, neuroscience, and ecology.

Philosophically, it challenges our notions of self and identity. If we are patterns of relationships rather than fixed entities, it raises profound questions about the nature of self, our interconnectedness, and the idea that "we are all one, like fingers on the hand." This perspective invites us to reconsider our understanding of consciousness and personal responsibility in light of our fundamental relational nature.

Ethically, it underscores our interconnectedness. If everything is relationship, then our actions inevitably affect the whole. This perspective fosters greater empathy and environmental responsibility.

For personal growth, it proves that transformation comes through changing our relationships - to ourselves, to others, to our environment and to deeply held ideologies. Mindfulness practices, for instance, are exercises in observing and adjusting these relationships.

At a societal level, it compels us to reimagine our social structures and problem-solving approaches. Instead of focusing on individual actors, we must concentrate more on the relationships and systems that shape collective behavior.

Conclusion

Embracing a relational reality challenges us to see the world anew. It offers a powerful framework for understanding everything from our innermost thoughts to the cosmos. By recognizing the primacy of relationships, we open ourselves to new possibilities in science, philosophy, and personal growth.

This perspective moves us beyond the illusion of separate, solid "things" and recognizes the dynamic web of relationships that underlies all of existence. In doing so, we find new solutions to our most pressing problems, and discover a deeper, more harmonious way of existing within the intricate dance of relationships that we call reality.

As we continue to explore and refine this concept, we see that the boundaries we once perceived as fixed and immutable are, in fact, fluid and interconnected. This realization revolutionizes not only our scientific understanding but also our approach to personal growth, social organization, and our relationship with the natural world.