Terence McKenna discusses his TimeWave hypothesis and the concept of novelty. He explores the effectiveness of the I Ching as an oracle and reflects on the measurement of habit and novelty. The podcast also delves into the origins and mathematical order of the I Ching, as well as objections and controversies surrounding the TimeWave theory.
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Quick takeaways
The TimeWave hypothesis is a mathematical model based on the I Ching that predicts major shifts in human civilization and the universe's ascent into change.
The Watkins Objection challenged the mathematical formulation of the TimeWave, but a corrected version, known as the CTw, was developed and found to be more congruent with historical data.
The TimeWave theory suggests that the universe is moving towards an explosion of novelty, leading to the emergence of a new ontological reality and the climax of physics in three-dimensional space-time.
Deep dives
The Novelty Wave and the Evolution of Time
The podcast episode explores the concept of the novelty wave and how it relates to the evolution of time. The presenter describes how the wave represents the ebb and flow of habit and novelty throughout history, with periods of high novelty corresponding to major shifts and advancements in human civilization. The wave is visualized as a graph depicting the rise and fall of habit and novelty over billions of years, with a focus on the last 22,000 years. The presenter also discusses the mathematical formulation of the wave and its potential implications for predicting future changes and events.
The Role of the I Ching and the Mayan Calendar
The presenter explains that the mathematical formulation of the novelty wave was inspired by the I Ching, an ancient Chinese oracle, and how it relates to the concept of change. The I Ching, with its 64 hexagrams, is seen as a database of knowledge about temporal variables encoded in a complex notation system. The connection to the Mayan calendar is also mentioned, as both systems predict a significant event occurring around December 21, 2012. The presenter acknowledges that this convergence may complicate the theory and invite skepticism, but emphasizes the potential for these ancient systems to offer insights into the nature of time and future events.
The Primes Controversy and the Watkins Objection
The presenter recounts a mathematical controversy known as the Watkins Objection, which arose when mathematician Matthew Watkins discovered what he believed to be an error in the mathematical formulation of the novelty wave. The objection centered around the construction of the wave and the presence of prime numbers in the days-to-end value. The presenter acknowledges the challenge of defending the theory from a mathematical standpoint, as it requires a deep understanding of complex mathematical notation. The resolution of the controversy is left uncertain, with the presenter grappling with the implications of a potential error in the theory.
Implications for Predicting Future Changes
The podcast episode concludes by highlighting the potential of the novelty wave theory in predicting future changes and events. The presenter notes that the wave provides a map of future time based on patterns observed throughout history. By properly scaling the wave against different phenomena, such as the evolutionary record or astrophysical events, it may offer insights and predictions about future developments. However, the presenter emphasizes the need for caution and further research, especially in light of the Watkins Objection and the ongoing debate surrounding the mathematical foundation of the theory.
Corrected time wave and professional mathematician
After working quietly with a professional mathematician, a tiny mistake in Terrence's time wave hypothesis was discovered. The wave that Terrence had shown for years was found to be wrong by about three percent. However, this mistake did not invalidate the overall theory. The corrected time wave, called the CTw, was developed and found to be even more congruent with historical data. The professional mathematician's work solidified the formalism of the wave, making it a more robust and explicit mathematical object. The new time wave suggested that the universe is even more novel than previously thought, starting closer to zero and intensifying as time progresses.
The end of time and the eminence of the Eschaton
Terrence's hypothesis stated that the universe is moving toward an asymptotic explosion of novelty, which means that there will be more change in a single day than in thousands of years. He described the end of time as a period of immense novelty, where the universe can no longer contain the increasing complexity. This novelty will push into another dimension, leading to the emergence of a new ontological reality. Terrence believed that humanity is being called forth by this process, with the eminence of the Eschaton permeating the 20th century. He saw evidence of this transformative process in the increasing rate of change and felt that it was leading to the climax of physics in three-dimensional space-time.
Guest speaker: Terence McKenna
PROGRAM NOTES:
Today we get to hear Terence McKenna's lecture about his TimeWave hypothesis (it never became a true theory). This 1997 talk was given less than three years before Terence's death and thus represents some of his latest thinking about this topic. He defines the TimeWave as a mathematical model of how the world works, as based upon the I Ching. Also, he clearly states that where the end point is set determines all of the other data points fall. However, in true Terence McKenna fashion he points out that even if he was 0.001% off, that gave him a range of 60,000 years in which his prediction would still be valid. He then goes on to discuss his correction to the Watkins objection that was discussed in podcast 472.
[NOTE: All quotations are by Terence McKenna.]
“We are involved in the most accelerated, asymptotic ascent into change, so far as we can tell, that the cosmos has ever known.”
“In the one sample we know of, biology has proven itself to be four times as enduring as the stars themselves.”
“I won't defend it [the TimeWave] though. I've decided to get a life after 2012 no matter what happens.”
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