The Rundown: In video 4.5, I discuss the most important number regarding TSOD. This core data video outlines the incredible power of the number two through various applications in nature. I also apply the "most important number" to the common definition of decency.
Supplemental Information:
As an aid to the concepts described in video 4.5, I figured it would be good to give you a few more applications to help solidify the inescapable nature of the number two.
From a sensory angle: Human pitch perception is logarithmic with respect to fundamental frequency: the perceived distance between the pitches "A220" and "A440" is the same as the perceived distance between the pitches "A440" and "A880."
Music often contains harmony. In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches, or chords.[1]
The term harmony derives from the Greek ἁρμονία (harmonía), meaning "joint, agreement, concord",[4] from the verb ἁρμόζω (harmozo), "to fit together, to join".[5]
--From [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitch_(music)]
The joint, or concord, between two pitches or chords creates a unique effect known as a harmonic.
In words: Let's examine some words that, though alone they signify a single concept, the concept is inexorably connected to "2". We begin with a word that can be used to describe the state of the universe: flux.
flux[fluhks]
-noun
3. continuous change, passage, or movement: His political vews are in a state of flux.
--[From http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flux]
Change requires an origin and a destination. Movement (between the 2 referenced points in time) is ascribed to be the opposite (alternate side) of stillness.
trans-
1. a prefix occurring in loandwords from Latin (transcend; transfix); on this model, used with the meanings "across," "beyond," "through," "changing throroughly," "transverse," in combination with elements of any origin: transisthmian; trans-Siberian; transempirical; transvalue.
--[From http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/trans]
Anything travelling means a start and an endpoint in the 4th dimension, indicating two points, and in many cases two spatial positions.
In order for us to understand decency, we're going to have to know the opposite. How about some terms for decency, then? What opposites do they have? As you read the list, think about the definition. You can look the definitions up or you can use your own knowledge of the words to formulate their definition.
- Decent/Indecent
- Nice/Mean
- Kind/Unkind
- Fair/Unfair
- Courteous/Disrespectful
- Considerate/Inconsiderate
- Peaceful/Belligerent
- Amicable/Unfriendly
Some of these terms could be separated from decency, and some may not apply to decency according to you, the viewer. That is acceptable. For some people, it may not apply to be considerate in order to be decent. These people are entitled to their views, even though they may contrast with popular beliefs.
When one thinks about the terms of decency (provided above or on your own), it should be noted that when you contrast them with the opposites, the subjective definition of the inherent "size" or "dimensions" of decency is taking place. When we observe this in ourselves, it can help us give ourself a clearer perspective on what it is that we find decent in reality. It can also give us a bird's eye view, so to speak, of the changes we might make to ourselves morally. For example: If for some reason we thought that helping a lady pick up the spilled contents of her purse was wrong, then knowing what is decent can help us define why we think it was wrong. If we found that we were acting out of line of our own terms of decency, we could easily then shift the focus by addressing the problem using structured terms, rather than raw feeling. It would be the difference between knocking down a building with a wrecking ball, or calculated explosive charges. Both bring down the building, it just depends on how you like to do things.
We can even find out things about ourselves which we didn't know existed by observing our definitions of moral terms. Bringing to light the way we perceive decency can structure the thoughts, much like asking for a status report. If we don't get a clear answer from ourselves, we could use that information to understand that we need a clearer definition. If we did get a clear answer, however, we could discover that some highlighted action was out of line with our moral understanding. These self discoveries can be both shocking and liberating... sometimes at the same time.
I hope this helps you understand the permeating nature of this incredible number. Find other dualities and test this concept for yourself!
-C. Thomas (Author, Proprietor)
-Edited by S. Walsh
External links:
Watch this on YouTube (Part 2, Part 3).
Watch this on Metacafe (Part 2, Part 3).
Watch this on Dailymotion (Part 2, Part 3).
Watch this on MySpace Video (Part 2, Part 3).
Watch this on Yahoo Video (Part 2, Part 3).
