Goethe's problem
I have a solution for one of Goethe's problems, 195 years after the publication of his book, Theory of Colours. It is sign language! Read on.
"We never sufficiently reflect that a language, strictly speaking, can only be symbolical and figurative, that it can never express things directly, but only, as it were, reflectedly. This is especially the case in speaking of qualities which are only imperfectly presented to observation, which might rather be called powers than objects, and which are ever in movement throughout nature. They are not to be arrested, and yet we find it necessary to describe them; hence we look for all kinds of formulae in order, figuratively at least, to define them.
"Metaphysical formulae have breadth as well as depth, but on this very account they require a corresponding import; the danger here is vagueness. mathematical expressions may in many cases be vey conveniently and happily employed, but there is always an inflexibility in them, and we presently feel their inadequacy; for even in elementary cases we are very soon conscious of an incommensurable idea; they are besides, only intelligble to those who are especially conversant in the sciences to which much formulae are appropriated. The terms of the science of mechanics are more adderessed to the ordinary mind, but they are ordinary in other senses, and always have something unpolished; they destroy the inward life to offer from without an insufficient subsitute for it. [personal note: this must refer to the aether, which Newtonian dynamics say don't exist. ha-ha, some sense of humor here, "without an insufficient subsitute "-jcl] The formulae of the corpscular theories are nearly allied to the last; [Newtonian particles deny the existence of the aether -jcl] through them the mutable becomes rigid, description and expression uncouth: while, again, moral terms, which undoubtedly can express nicer relations, have the effect of mere symbols in the end, and are in danger of being lost in a play of wit.
"If, however, a writer could use all these modes of description and expression with perfect command, and thus give forth the result of his observations on the phenomena of nature in a diversified language; if he could preserve himself from predilections, stil embodying a lively meaning in as animated an expression, we might look for much instruction communicated in the most agreeable of forms.
"Yet, how difficult it is to avoid subsituting the sign for the thing; how difficult to keep the essential quality wtill living before us, and not to kill it with the word. With all this, we are exposed in modern times to a still greater danger by adopting expressions and terminologies from all branches of knowledge and science to embody our views of simple nature. Astronomy, cosmology, geology, natural history, nay religion and mysticism, are called in our aid; and how often do we not find a general idea and an elementary state rather hidden and obscured than elucidated and brought nearer to us by the employment of terms, the application of which is strictly specific and secondary. We are quite aware of the necessity which led to the introduction and general adoption of such a language, we also know that it has become in a certain sense indispensable; but it is only a moderate, unpretending recourse to it, with an internal conviction of its fitness, that can recommend it. " -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Know what: I could express what Goethe so eloquently said in words just as eloquently in ASL, in much fewer words, saving energy! And be understood. As soon as we are able to detect sign language movements via brain waves, we will be the first telepathic people! Add that with transcranial magnetic simulation, with neurosuppressors (to suppress involuntary signing while brain download of sign language images via TMS), we can literally mentally send images of knowledge. This is the key to enlightenment.
With the first successful use of prosthetic limbs manipulated solely by brain waves, what I have been saying would happen is now reality. LITERALLY. If I am hooked up to that computer, I would be moving a fake arm, hand and fingers! Combine that with sign language recognition, the possibilities this brings up is overwhelming. I wonder what would happen if we rebroadcast these brain waves into another person's brain? Probalby need identical twins for initial experiments.
"We never sufficiently reflect that a language, strictly speaking, can only be symbolical and figurative, that it can never express things directly, but only, as it were, reflectedly. This is especially the case in speaking of qualities which are only imperfectly presented to observation, which might rather be called powers than objects, and which are ever in movement throughout nature. They are not to be arrested, and yet we find it necessary to describe them; hence we look for all kinds of formulae in order, figuratively at least, to define them.
"Metaphysical formulae have breadth as well as depth, but on this very account they require a corresponding import; the danger here is vagueness. mathematical expressions may in many cases be vey conveniently and happily employed, but there is always an inflexibility in them, and we presently feel their inadequacy; for even in elementary cases we are very soon conscious of an incommensurable idea; they are besides, only intelligble to those who are especially conversant in the sciences to which much formulae are appropriated. The terms of the science of mechanics are more adderessed to the ordinary mind, but they are ordinary in other senses, and always have something unpolished; they destroy the inward life to offer from without an insufficient subsitute for it. [personal note: this must refer to the aether, which Newtonian dynamics say don't exist. ha-ha, some sense of humor here, "without an insufficient subsitute "-jcl] The formulae of the corpscular theories are nearly allied to the last; [Newtonian particles deny the existence of the aether -jcl] through them the mutable becomes rigid, description and expression uncouth: while, again, moral terms, which undoubtedly can express nicer relations, have the effect of mere symbols in the end, and are in danger of being lost in a play of wit.
"If, however, a writer could use all these modes of description and expression with perfect command, and thus give forth the result of his observations on the phenomena of nature in a diversified language; if he could preserve himself from predilections, stil embodying a lively meaning in as animated an expression, we might look for much instruction communicated in the most agreeable of forms.
"Yet, how difficult it is to avoid subsituting the sign for the thing; how difficult to keep the essential quality wtill living before us, and not to kill it with the word. With all this, we are exposed in modern times to a still greater danger by adopting expressions and terminologies from all branches of knowledge and science to embody our views of simple nature. Astronomy, cosmology, geology, natural history, nay religion and mysticism, are called in our aid; and how often do we not find a general idea and an elementary state rather hidden and obscured than elucidated and brought nearer to us by the employment of terms, the application of which is strictly specific and secondary. We are quite aware of the necessity which led to the introduction and general adoption of such a language, we also know that it has become in a certain sense indispensable; but it is only a moderate, unpretending recourse to it, with an internal conviction of its fitness, that can recommend it. " -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Know what: I could express what Goethe so eloquently said in words just as eloquently in ASL, in much fewer words, saving energy! And be understood. As soon as we are able to detect sign language movements via brain waves, we will be the first telepathic people! Add that with transcranial magnetic simulation, with neurosuppressors (to suppress involuntary signing while brain download of sign language images via TMS), we can literally mentally send images of knowledge. This is the key to enlightenment.
With the first successful use of prosthetic limbs manipulated solely by brain waves, what I have been saying would happen is now reality. LITERALLY. If I am hooked up to that computer, I would be moving a fake arm, hand and fingers! Combine that with sign language recognition, the possibilities this brings up is overwhelming. I wonder what would happen if we rebroadcast these brain waves into another person's brain? Probalby need identical twins for initial experiments.
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