It is very easy to criticize our culture and the constraints it places upon us but this criticism belies the systems of feedback in which we participate. Why have we not evolved into an ethical, inclusive and compassionate civilization? What holds us back? Are we unable to escape the binds of the current downward causation the mechanical systems of perception that constitute our understandings - into which we were thrown at birth?

All stable systems place constraints upon their components. Stable systems too provide benefits for their components. This is downwards causation. Similarly components affect the system by their presence and by their interaction with other components. This is upwards causation.

However, like an induced field, downwards causation and upwards causation merge into an independent systemic phenomenon called feedback. The component changes the system, which changes the component, which changes the system until a balanced state, a stable system level, is reached where the oscillations take on the form of a steady cycle. This steady cycle of feedback acts like a current flowing though the system and along with other feedback cycles, holds the system in place.

These dynamics are evident in the natural world around us and require only observation. They may be seen in the bio-geological cyclic systems that govern our Earth's climate, the Carbon, Nitrogen, Water and Sulfur cycles, the Gulf Stream seawater and temperature cycles and the cycles of Oxygen and rainfall. And they may be seen in the cyclic patterns of behavior, both physical and mental/emotional that we as humans consistently engage in.

One feedback system that serves to hold humans back from evolving is our capacity to wound ourselves internally and to attribute the wounds to the actions of others.

And as part of this capacity comes the ability to act upon the feelings associated with those wounds as if the actions were

a) related in any way to the feelings and
b) still occurring

Actions that are taken in this way trigger other actions that keep the components (humans) fully occupied by these feedback systems. The downward causation of systems of resentment, grudge and victimization and anger hold the components rigidly in place. Outer, "satellite" activities form in response to the pressures these systems place on the core, changing its form and outward appearance. People become "twisted".

Systems of non-wellness arise, those of illness, enmity and war.

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