The Point of Abstraction

Wonder | Align Thought | Disfamiliar

Perception Begins in Abstraction

A Playground for Mind to Trace Constellations

Opportunity for Wonder

Somewhere Along the Way, Patterns are Recognized

Distinctions Decided

Familiarity Grows

Reoccurring Shapes, Implications, Consistent Result of Interaction

Is this truly known?

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Everything is inherently abstract, but this definition changes with familiarity and decisions of distinction. Lines drawn, recognition grows over shapes, concepts engrained. As interactions with particular, reoccurring forms become predictable, the comfort of knowing sets in, discouraging exploration.

And so, the knowing goes along, leaving contemplations closed so we can move forward. After all, we’d never get anywhere by perpetually hesitating to decide what to make of anything. Manifestation demands action and decision. At some point, it’s wiser to choose the best assumption rather than wait for absolute certainty which may never come. But it’s also wise to continuously acknowledge that it is an assumption that is being acted upon—Keep sight of what is known to be unknown, allowing space for readjustment with new information.

Confidence is seductive. The sense of certainty forms a barrier against the discomfort of uncertainty. It feels reassuring to have an answer, even when it’s wrong… and the anxious lost ones flock to such a person like a light amidst an infinite dark expanse.

However, confidence strides swiftly, blurring alternate possibility. Too much certainty comes with rigidity—strict lines which the rest of life does not quite follow. Clutching too tight in desperation strangles to death. Allow space to match the spontaneity of life’s wiggles and the known unknown.

Misalignment between what is known and what actually is, meets hinderance. Isn’t it clear to see by the fumes of frustration? From reality not matching expectation? There are certainly some inaccurate assumptions being acted upon — False Knowing.

Neither extreme is absolute. There is always a delicate balance and a flow to master, according to what is needed from moment to moment. Generalization is the extent of novice comprehension. The peak is an orchestration of all values with intuitive navigation of nuance — a perpetual dance in fluctuation.

Thus, it’s valuable to balance the “know it all” behavior with the presence of unfamiliar instances. Undeniable unknowns are a canvas for wonder, tempting the crafting of meaning — to visit the reality of nonsense and develop constellations. Whatever you make of it is valid. A question with countless answers.

The nature of interaction with any perceivable instance is shaped heavily by the perceiver. Unfamiliar abstraction may just as well be deemed nonsense—If I wish to collapse the contemplation and discard wonder, that’s perfectly valid. Reality will not contest this decision, but the resultant experience will certainly differ. A foreign language is gibberish to someone who does not understand it. Just as any problem becomes simplistic with familiarity of the dynamics forming it.

Alas, it appears that everything is a mirror.

This is what I love about showing people abstractions and listening to their interpretations. Others’ views are always different from the intent I created with and what I see in it. People tend to ask if their interpretation is right and I say “sure”. Whatever you see through it is precisely the point.

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No single perception is absolute. Everything can never be observed at once, though at times it may feel like much is processed — moments of profound clarity, reaching wide, somewhere close. Perspectives are unique, distinct by all that is absent. Rotate —  experience information in different ways. Views grow stale and stagnant. The scope is always narrow, compared to all that is. Most of reality is always missing from view…