Dear Joubin,

You wrote:

I am certainly glad that we have cleared that misunderstanding.
Though I respectfully maintain my objection to the use of neologisms,
which I believe to be *counter productive*.

Timothy -> I really don't know of a better term for synergy.

I found the following in Merriam-Webster's Colligiate Dictionary:

Main Entry: syn.er.gy
Pronunciation: 'si-n&r-jE
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin synergia, from Greek synergos working together
Date: 1660
Inflected Form(s): plural -gies
1 : SYNERGISM; broadly : combined action or operation
2 : a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements (as resources or efforts)

As for the terms energy-binding, space-binding, and time-binding originated by Korzybski, these are new scientific terms created to operationally define a process being described. Scientific innovation is often only the creation of such *new* terms.

However that said, I certainly do agree that neogisms for the sake of newness is usually not helpful.

It reminds me of a story...

I liked your story from the work of Maw'lawna Jalal'adin. And, will take a look at the teachings of the Andalusian Sufi master, Ibn Arabi [1].,

Regarding the lack of nations which acknowledge diversity in unity, I
do agree that it is quite rare indeed, but perhaps you may wish to
read the New Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation [2].

I took a look. Thanks for the link. They seem an enlighted people.

OK.  Now that we have cleared up the miscommunication, and wishing to
return the dialogue to the topic at hand, I again pose to you this
question:

What has contributed to the demise of the family in the West?

I think that the answer to this question could easily become the topic for a book and a rather large one at that. But with that said I will make a few comments?

1) Again, I would say that our Western committment to Neutrality with its strong belief in individual independence has played a big role here.

2) Neutrality is only possible for human groups if there is unlimited resources. And with our belief in unlimited resources, we have squandered the fossil fuel inheritance of our planet in a little over a hundred years. Fortunately, we will only get to squander this planet reserve once, then reality will force us to again work together if we wish to survive.

Has telecommunication technology played a role in this demise?

Yes and no. As the proponents of guns argue, people kill people, guns are just tools with no good or bad to them. I think I would disagree, but there is some merit in their point. Communication technology so far in our human history has simply served the prevaling values.

When those values were Adversary, then communication technology served those wielding physical power over others. When those values are Neutral, then communication technology serves those selling products to others. Certainly this has been the major use and focus of television, movies, and even the internet so far.

However, if our values become Synergic, then communication technology can powerful serve those humans seeking to work together. Seeking to solve their problems together, seeking to earn their livings together, seeking to survive together.

If yes, was this an intended, or unintended, consequence of
deployment of certain communication technologies?

Well those seeking physical power certainly intend to use technology to gain that power. And, those seeking money certainly intend to use technology to gain their money. I guess the big question is: Do those seeking synergic relationship intend to use this technology to better work together? I am hopeful that the answer is yes...

And is there a lesson here for us and the deployment of these
advanced communication systems?

I hope our examination of the past will help us see the lessons and begin using this new technology to make our world work for all of humanity.
 

Bound through Synergy,

Timothy

 

Joulin's Refs:

[1]: Muhammad ibn 'Ali ibn al-Arabi at-Ta'i al-Andalusi (b. August 7,
1165 AD ;)

<http://www.ibnarabisociety.org/IbnArabi.html>
 

[2]: New Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation (adopted
through public referendum April 14, 1999).  In context of these
discussions, Article 13 of this constitution is directly noteworthy,
though I believe the bottom-up, federated, social order articulated
is also worth consideration and relevant.

<http://www.swissemb.org/legal/html/constitution.html>