tangential free association
Tangential free association, in which pairs of concepts neither to close together nor too far apart in meaning are adjoined in an imaginative synthesis evoking highly kinetic contextual impact, can be considered a movement akin to conceptual adjacency or perhaps, more acccurately, some intuitive combination of hierarchical taxonomic association and conceptual adjacency. In such movement, it may be that ideation somewhat free from potential pitfalls of a logic solely driven by utility can develop. This adjacency can move horizontally, or make diagonal or even multi-dimensional leaps of reasoning and association. We remember, however, that there are overarching vertical and horizontal principles in this conceptual linking, even when making tangential leaps. It may be that the geometrical intricacies of planetary and cosmic life allow for many such concept-to-concept associations. However, it is also true that longevity of planetary corporeality depends on a relationship with gravity and the Earth that mimics truly vertical pathways. In any event, hypertext can accomodate tangential linking of concepts and the implied development of ideation through both conceptual adjacency and hierarchical nesting, balanced as suits the craft and purposes of the architect.

Consider organizational schemes, as a category. As analysis including many potentials of ordered relationship, we enjoy a global synthesis, a more general inclusiveness. While at first this formulation may seem too broad to be useful, remember that we are seeking syndetic truth that will actually bind diverse currents of thought, various examples of understanding idea sets - all with an eye to helping establish a foundation for fruitful development of hypertext theory. We may need considerable and vast range of conceptualization for valid syndetics even as we define our purposes. Infinity is all too easy a word to utter. To fathom, though, does it not often reveal that which we thought mountain top as plateau, when mists have cleared?

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard L. Mariconda, M.L.S.
rlm@processtruing.org
September 19, 2008
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional