The “edge of chaos” is a phrase I first heard during a reading of Michael Crichton’s sequel to Jurassic Park (The Lost World). A scientist in the book speaks of extinction, the natural phenomenon of dying out, and the factors pertaining to it.
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Here are two paragraphs from that book as recited by the scientist. (From page 4 of the 1995 hardback copy of Michael Crichton's The Lost World, published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.)
Of the self-organizing behaviors, two are of particular interest to the study of evolution. One is adaptation. We see it everywhere. Corporations adapt to the marketplace, brain cells adapt to signal traffic, the immune system adapts to infection, animals adapt to their food supply. We have come to think that the ability to adapt is characteristic of complex systems---and may be one reason why evolution seems to lead toward more complex organisms.
But even more important seems to be the way complex systems seem to strike a balance between the need for order and the imperative to change. Complex systems seem to locate themselves at a place we call "the edge of chaos." We imagine the edge of chaos as a place where there is enough innovation to keep a living system vibrant, and enough stability to keep it from collapsing into anarchy. It is a zone of conflict and upheaval, where the old and new are constantly at war. Finding the balance point must be a delicate matter---if a living system drifts too close, it risks falling over into incoherence and dissolution; but if the system moves too far away from the edge, it becomes rigid, frozen, totalitarian. Both conditions lead to extinction. Too much change is as destructive as too little. Only at the edge of chaos can complex systems flourish.
I think that is one of the most interesting things I have ever read, because it talks not just about extinction, but also about creative balance within our lives as well as in our society. If we have too much stimulation, we're overwhelmed. We cannot cope or get a handle on things. Yet, if we have too little, we stagnate. I think being "happy" is a good thing, generally, but not to the extent that it distracts us from continuing to strive, to grow, to evolve, not if it makes us oblivious or uncaring. And if we structure our lives too carefully, we can stifle that very serendipity which is the spice of life.
The balance is like surfing, staying right ahead of the crest of a wave. If you fall behind the wave, you lose the forward energy and are becalmed. If you get too far out in front of it, you lose momentum and it crashes over your head, smashing you in the surf. The skill (and the CHALLENGE!) is in being at just the right point relative to the energy.
Now we are in the early days of the public beta for DK4. The same day the beta posted I read comments from (valued) Kossacks who felt the degree of change offered by DK4 might just be a step too far for them. We see departures on a semi-regular basis. The amount of dissension on the site is beyond their capacity, the amount of toxicity is, the anger is ... there are a thousand nuances to the explanations. dKos has lost its way, has lost its sense of purpose, has lost its consistency with its declared purpose, its tolerance of those whose contributions don’t directly advance its purpose. dKos has become too fixated on its purpose, too intolerant of topics that don't serve the 'cause.'
Because of (fill in the blank), dKos is ‘falling over into incoherence and dissolution.’
Or because of (fill in the blank) dKos is in the process of becoming ‘rigid, frozen, totalitarian.’
In the view of those holding the opinions, the current condition is dKos on the path to extinction, or political irrelevance.
In many cases you can read a microcosm of the perspective in response to individual comments, even. There are aspects of truth in a given comment, but it doesn’t go far enough. Or the aspects of truth are there, but they go way too far.
Let’s face it. EVERYONE. No exceptions. Has. A. Spectrum. Of. Truth. And. Insight. On every issue, and every subject. And no two spectrums of any two individuals overlap precisely.
One of my favorite Kossacks uses a sig line a quotation from Bernice Johnson Reagon, which says: "If you're in a coalition and you're comfortable, you know it's not a broad enough coalition."
Does it say great things about us when we are super rigid about our relative spectrums? When we are super hostile to those whose spectrums diverge markedly from our own? I ask, but I don’t have a definitive answer. Things can be outside my spectrum. The tax compromise is, for me, an example. I can describe it using a baseball metaphor.
In baseball, the third base coach is on the edge of chaos. Third base coaches have to make decisions on possibly sending runners to try to score if, in their judgment, they think the runner can beat a throw from the outfield. In the eyes of top baseball minds, a third base coach who NEVER gets a runner thrown out just isn't that good. If no runners are ever thrown out, with that guy coaching, then his coaching decisions are wimpy, TOO conservative. They know the team could have scored more runs than they did because the coach wouldn't send the runner when the runner only MIGHT have scored, rather than being certain to score. Runs are considered to have been "left on the table." Not a good thing. Of course, a coach who gets too many runners thrown out takes too many risks, and is not a good coach, either.
As politically engaged citizens, we want our Democratic representatives on every level to find a balance at the edge of chaos that is our political world. While we may WANT them to always succeed, some defeats (at least in the short term) may be better than a comparable victory would be, if it gives too much away. For my money, giving tax breaks to the rich to pass a bill is going WAY too far. Our third base coach isn't sending the runner if there is a possibility he might not score. In this case, in my view, making a more liberal - indeed a more MORAL - decision about this bill would be much better, even if the bill was defeated. The compromise was too great, outside my personal spectrum. Now, if I felt the president had FOUGHT against tax cuts for the super wealthy, and compromised after doing the hard, dirty work of politics, my opinion might be different. Or it might have been better to let the tax cuts expire for everyone. After all, as they noted on the West Wing (Season 3, Episode 9. On the Day Before), Republican Oliver Wendell Holmes was the one who said: “ Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.”
As taxes have gone down, our society seems to have become ever more UNCIVILIZED. Coincidence? I think not. Maybe higher taxes are precisely the way we need to go! (At least, eventually. ;) )
In any case, for me, DK4 doesn’t come remotely close to being outside my spectrum. It is change, to be sure. Too much? Too little? Time will tell. But change we need. Absolutely. And the new site doesn’t approach the threshold of chasing me away. I’m 57 years old, and I applaud and embrace the edge of chaos! My hope is that you will all stay with us, too, even if our coalition (and our venue) sometimes becomes uncomfortable. No matter what DK4 looks like now, it will change. I am certain of it. ;) As will our society. And we’ll all play a role in that.
Special congratulations tonight for all of those who fought so hard for fairness and equal opportunity for our gay and lesbian siblings willing to serve in our armed forces. I know it has been an unconscionably long road, with most of the journey way too far away from our spectrums on the edge of chaos. But I followed the votes today with tears in my eyes. And now I’m ready to push the edge on many of the remaining injustices in our world.
On to tonight's comments!
From Angie in WA State:
Maybe the best top comments nomination that I've sent in all year is this comment by CJnyc, in this diary by Michael Moore.
From sardonyx:
On the DK4 beta site, teacherken was wondering how many people will see his diary since it's only being published on the beta site. In my opinion, Susan Gardner's comment is well worth the trip to betaland.
From rexymeteorite:
Got a top comment for ya!
You wanna see a moving and vivid comment? Bill O rights has the goods.
From Benintn:
In a diary from Barbara Morrill about the Senate's vote repealing DADT, this (comment by jarhead5536)was the clearest, most succinct explanation of why the vote matters.
From ItsSimpleSimon:
I mean, would anybody be really surprised if peterborocanuck is actually right in predicting this outcome?
From the diary by Benintn - John McCain says you need to stop celebrating.
From BentLiberal:
pico shows a level head in responding to the diary - Told You So.
My picks:
I picked this comment from BlogVirgin because it was thought-provoking, not because I agreed with it. See what you think!
In one of last night's rescued diaries, Tildor wrote about historical changes in conservatism.
Otherday wrote a nice analysis of the background of DADT repeal.
When the subject is racism, do we 'project?' undercovercalico asks.
Top Mojo, excluding the tip jars and usual high mojo comments:
1 We're thinking along the same lines by Dallasdoc - 252
2 Dumping as in he no longer feels obliged by LaFeminista - 117
3 I elected this President by FiredUpInCA - 106
4 Obama was fighting for it right up to the end by Kitty - 101
5 Then we agree by Dallasdoc - 95
6 Wiki is also a scathing indictment of our MSM by realwischeese - 94
7 I expected Clinton by Dallasdoc - 88
8 to echo a commenter by mallyroyal - 86
9 Polk County, GA... by HeyMikey - 84
10 Congrats by SRCestavani - 80
11 Speaking for this progressive ... by legalchic - 77
12 What a Terrific Friend You've Been, Sara by JekyllnHyde - 77
13 Heh by Dallasdoc - 75
14 Rachel is consistently the most intelligent, the by Wildthumb - 75
15 Baucus and Nelson aren't exactly surprises by Brainwrap - 74
16 The Impossible Dream by JekyllnHyde - 72
17 That's the worst thing you could say about him by Dallasdoc - 70
18 Obama didn't blow it by Dallasdoc - 70
19 Without Joe Lieberman's leadership, this would by hcc in VA - 69
20 I couldn't disagree by Mebby - 66
21 This breaks my heart. by blue jersey mom - 65
22 It is much more stable if repealed ly law. by Sophie Amrain - 64
23 I don't think she dislikes Obama. by fou - 64
24 Hi Tom. Classy diary! by Sophie Amrain - 60
25 Thanks Tom. I share the sadness by Deoliver47 - 60
26 Thanks mally. by TomP - 59
27 Congratulations are in order, Senator... by markthshark- 59
28 I have no words. by jarhead5536 - 58
29 Impressive work on this diary by blueoasis - 57
30 Thank you Sara R by jethrock - 57
Top Mojo, everything included (of 19960 comments in the past 24 hours)!
1 Tips for Equality Victories by Clarknt67 - 384
2 Tip Jar by TomP - 383
3 Tip Jar We stand alone unless by LaFeminista - 375
4 Tip Jar by Eclectablog - 344
5 Tip Jar by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand - 312
6 Tip Jar by Michael Moore - 307
7 Pick up the phones by Deoliver47 - 272
8 We're thinking along the same lines by Dallasdoc - 252
9 Tip Jar by Sara R - 238
10 Tip Jar by Adept2u - 158
11 Tip Jar by hepshiba - 155
12 Dumping as in he no longer feels obliged by LaFeminista - 117
13 Tip Jar by The Gimp - 114
14 I elected this President by FiredUpInCA - 106
15 Tip Jar by danps - 104
16 Obama was fighting for it right up to the end by Kitty - 101
17 Tip Jar by JRandomPoster - 96
18 Tip Jar by KelleyRN2 - 95
19 Then we agree by Dallasdoc - 95
20 Wiki is also a scathing indictment of our MSM by realwischeese - 94
21 A report from a local TV station on dashcam video by Lefty Coaster - 91
22 I expected Clinton by Dallasdoc - 88
23 to echo a commenter by mallyroyal - 86
24 Thank you President Obama. Without you, this by joemcginnissjr - 85
25 Polk County, GA... by HeyMikey - 84
26 Congrats by SRCestavani - 80
27 Tip Jar by Vyan - 80
28 Tip Jar by davidseth - 79
29 Speaking for this progressive ... by legalchic - 77
30 What a Terrific Friend You've Been, Sara by JekyllnHyde - 77
Thank you for visiting tonight.