Martin,
Time is a measure and effect, like temperature. Rate versus degree. It's just that our mental function is sequential, that the idea of a dimension would seem to transcend the actual dynamics(thermo) driving it. Expansion and consolidation. Ups and downs. Would a plant conceive of existence as linear, or cyclical? For what purpose would it process the dynamics of its reality linearly, rather than the energy expanding its cell structure out, then coalescing into each ring?
While we obsess over the order and organization of sequence.
Free will is a bit of an oxymoron, as the premise of will is to affect and without cause there is no effect.
The question is whether events are pre-determined, but the act of determination can only occur as the present. The future is simply not fully computed.
One might argue that as all input exists in the prior state, the result would be inevitable, but that assumes there is some larger framework in which this information/energy exists, but framing is inherently finite. The models break down over infinities and disappear at zero. Everything in-between is relational.
If we include all the information from the territory onto the map, any signal would be lost back into the noise.
As well as that information arrives at every point, from all directions, at the speed of light, so this presumed omniscient omniscience would have to transcend the speed of light as well.
The problem goes to the subjectivity of knowledge. Between monotheism and math, there is a cultural assumption of knowledge as universal and objective, rather than emergent and subjective.
The Catholic "all-knowing absolute."
Yet the universal is the elemental, so the absolute would be the essence from which reality rises, not an ideal from which it falls.
If we try to incorporate too many frames, points of view, eyes, the effect is whiteout, not greater clarity.
Not to mention clashes between the different frames. Sort of like two peoples applying different maps and storylines to the same space. Like the Middle East.
Now things can seem pretty predictable, given the inertia of the various forces at work.
So if one wants to affect the trajectory of these events, it's not so much a joining in with the crowds, but finding those pressure points in the cracks, that will have cascading effects.
Given we are reaching point where many of the traditional models, beliefs, assumptions, schools, etc. are breaking down, it does offer an opportunity to step outside the various boxes, ruts, religions, etc. Primarily, I would argue, simply to understand how they all do function, than simply find another rut to get stuck in.
That we need a variety of such tools in the mental toolbox and the ability to make new ones when necessary.
Generals lead armies, specialist is one rank above private.
Nodes and networks.
The scabs are starting to peel away, the underlaying flesh has to begin to know how to heal.
