Tyson Yunkaporta’s “Sand Talk” – Alan Hudson’s notes (edited)

While interventions are possible from within these [complex] dynamic systems, they cannot be controlled from the outside. Systems are heterarchical – composed of equal parts interacting together. Imposing a hierarchical model of top-down control can only destroy them. Healthy interventions can only be made by free agents within a complex system – agents referred to in chaos theory as ‘strange attractors’. (p.94)

Sustainability agents have a few simple operating guidelines, or network protocols, or rules if you like – connect, diversify, interact and adapt. (p.98)

Diversity is not about tolerating difference or treating others equally and without prejudice. The diversification principle compels you to maintain your individual difference, particularly from other agents who are similar to you. This prevents you from clustering into narcissistic flash mobs. You must also seek out and interact with a wide variety of agents who are completely dissimilar to you. Finally you must interact with other systems beyond your own, keeping your system open and therefore sustainable. (pp.98-9)

Connectedness balances the excesses of individualism in the diversity principle. The first step in connectedness is forming pairs (like kinship pairs) with multiple other agenda who also pair with others. The next step is creating or expanding networks of these connections. The final step is making sure these networks are interacting with the networks of other agents, both within your system and in others. (p.99)

Interaction is the principle that provides the energy and spirit of communication to power the system. This principle facilitates the flow of living knowledge. For this, you must be transferring knowledge (and energy and resources) rather than trying to store it individually, with as many other agents as possible. (p.99)

Adpatation is the most important protocol of an agent in a sustainable system. You must allow yourself to be transformed through your interactions with other agents and the knowledge that passes through you from them. This knowledge and energy will flow through the entire system in feedback loops and you must be prepared to change so that those feedback loops are not blocked. (pp.99-100)

In our world nothing can be known or even exist unless it is in relation to other things. Most importantly, those things that are connected are less important than the forces of connection between them. We exist to form these relationships, which make up the energy that holds creation together. When knowledge is patterned within these forces of connection it is sustainable over deep time. (p.169)

Physical/bodily prompts on the second knuckles of each finger for the 4 rules/protocols (pp.271-2)

Connectedness

Forming pairs with other agents who form pairs

Creating and expanding the network of these connections

Make sure these networks are interacting with other networks, and systems

Diversity

Maintain difference from agents that are similar to you

Interact with agents that are different from you

Interact with other systems beyond your own

Interaction

Continuously transferring knowledge, energy and resources, rather than storing/hoarding

Adaptation

Allow yourself to be transformed

So that you don’t block the flow of feedback

And be open to taking on the role of strange attractor and facilitator of chain reactions of creative events within the system

Complementing 5 ways of being, on top row of knuckles (pp.269-70)

learning through close observation and demonstration

passing on knowledge with a helping hand and then stepping back

passing on knowledge in verbal activities like yarning

memorising through deep listening

thinking, reflecting and understanding

Respect, Connect, Reflect, Direct as being the appropriate order for engagement. Don’t start with Direct. (p.274)

Alan’s brief review of Sand Talk, from October 2022, here.