An Open Mind, 064

Alternatively, from the scientific perspective, algorithms relate to eternity, and measurements relate to time. An algorithm or a process is eternal because it repeats, like a planet rotating around the sun. Some algorithms have limits. Yet, in general and in context, an algorithm can be repeated as often as needed. Thus algorithms are eternal. And like the end-limits of a tangent curve, the eternal repetition of an algorithm might have no relevance to problems at hand.

A measurement is static, because once the measurement is taken, the measurement exists as either an independent or dependent entity. For most measurements, there is an associated time. The associated time is either the time the measurement was made, the time that was measured, or, as in the geological and astrophysical cases, the age of the material or object being measured. Making a measurement sets one or all of these times, providing a temporal context or framework for future measurements.

For both the scientific perspective and the religious perspective, pre-historical events relate to the eternal, or events which can not be accurately measured. The definition chosen for prehistory for “An Open Mind” is pre-alphabet based writing. This approach also groups pre-historical events with algorithms, with heaven, and with religion. Historical events, or those recorded by writing words relate to time, or to events which were recorded and thus measured. This approach groups historical events with measurements, and time with science. It is true scientists can measure the time cave paintings were drawn, and thus these drawings cross both worlds, given this definition of pre-history. This classification fits the author’s perception of the axes of the science-religion matrix.

As a corollary to the above concept, legends, or those cultural events happening outside the written record, are part of a culture’s eternal, or unmeasured, heritage. These intangible parts of a culture tend to be dynamic and changing. Slow changes occur among in the verbal legends of the Australian Aborigines, the American Indians, or even the ancient House of Israel, each of whom used songs and rhymes and chants to pass on their legends. These legends permeate each culture, including the modern urban myths and even rap music.

The complement to legends are the writings, a Book of Remembrance (as mentioned in Malachi 3:16)^2.29 , or other forms of the written record of a culture. These writings relate to time, or measurable events. So what happens when the legends and the verbal traditions are written down or recorded? They become quantifiable, and something which can be studied by scientists. In fact, recording the oral histories is one of the first steps anthropologists take when studying a new primitive culture.

timedex

infinite grid

-064-