XV: Value-in-Circulation:
How Do We Make a Difference in Our Passage through the World with Others?*

0.    Introduction

	We have here two questions to consider, namely, “can we make a real difference?” and, if we were to think that is possible, “how do we go about making a real difference (if that were our intention?)?” (1)

	Of course we all can make a difference, indeed, by merely being here in either an active or passive sense we must make some difference, leave a trace in our wake, leave a mark. But, what is meant by ‘real change’ is ‘our making our mark upon the world’ and in such a fashion that ‘considerably adds to the benefit of our fellow travellers’. So, how do we ‘leave our make?’ and ‘make our mark benefit others?’ (2)

	In this short monograph I would like to discuss how making our mark (for the benefit of others is a possibility) by invoking an understanding of chaos theory. Let me explain. In a previous paper (in this series on value-in-circulation) I have discussed the distinction between mere redirection and sheer re-direction (with an important hyphen). The former is merely ‘the direction things are heading as a consequence of past decisions’, whereas, re-direction involves ‘a new sense of direction from a more immediate act of deliberation in the form of a decisively different type of decision with a differing set of consequences as a result’. Now, what I am trying to say here is this – if we were to head only in the ‘same direction’, where the normal course of our lives appears to be heading, few of us would make much of a difference to a betterment of the lives of other. Even if a few of us were to donate half of our wages-in-hand to a variety of charities, things overall would remain much the same. However, if everyone were to do the same considerable change could be brought about, but, even that possibility need not eventuate if everything were left to take the same directions as before, i.e., mere redirection. On the other hand, in chaos theory, small incremental changes can through chaotic bifurcation produce and re-produce vastly different outcomes. Outcomes considerably different from the value invested in a series of a few incremental micro-shifts of intentional redirection. As a result consequential values realized in such chaotic re-self-organization are productive/re-productive of a novel sense of direction, i.e., re-direction. The value of such a re-directed sense of intentionality must also be radically different from prior processes of a mere inertial-like sense of redirection. Hopefully realizing a much more positive sense of value, or, at least, not relatively impinging on previous patterns of value-formation. With chaos theory in mind let us, therefore, re-formulate our second question along the following lines; “how might chaotic-like processes be utilized to advantageously benefit others?” (3)

	Let me briefly discuss this topic under five headings: theoretical basis, pre-conditions, conditions, post-conditions, and, evaluation of benefit.(4)

*Link to latest version of paper on my Homestead Homepage Site (circulation15.rtf).
www.homestead.com/noelshomepage/noelshomepage3.html 
1.	Theoretical Basis (in Chaos Theory)

Sometimes small incremental shifts in intentional behaviour can initiate changes vastly out of all proportion to those mere inputs. Welcome to chaos theory. You buy a five dollars lottery ticket, or, better, someone else buys one for you and it wins the jackpot built up over recent months. A small insignificant difference can now make for a vastly different sense of change. Of course one could leave the lottery ticket at the bottom of the drawer and just ignore it as too much change. Or, one could give it all away. Hopefully, in such a manner that truly benefits others! (5)

An observation to be made here is this, namely, that most physics is chaotically driven and does not operate in accordance with deterministic linear equations. Up until recently, physicists have generally overlooked this more important dimension on how reality actually operates. The oversight of a chaotic dimension is something we should also take note of. (6)

	The moral here is this. If we were to decide to benefit others it would more likely be better to do this on a chaotically productive basis. Given the necessary pre-conditions, then small incremental changes could induce much greater degrees of change, hopefully, of a vastly beneficial nature. (7)

	To put this style of program into practice we would need to address four issues in particular. What pre-conditions need to be put into play in order to create a potentially chaotic state of re-self-organization? What incremental triggering inputs need to be added (or subtracted) (how, when and where) in order to induce a state of chaotic re-self-organization? What degree of change is possible? How should we evaluate this possible surplus of existential value realized in such a re-directed state of transformation in terms of its benefit to others? (8)

	Answer these four questions in a positive light and you will find yourself with a program for the project of an advantageous re-direction in value-formation. Just what might this entail? (9)

2.    Pre-Conditional Basis

	How do we know we are developing a program heading towards a chaotic sense of re-direction? One method would be to run simulations and note if small incremental shifts in input actually create vastly different, apparent, consequential points of conclusion. This process operates in weather forecasting (in order to quickly ascertain if a weather system is chaotic and, therefore, relatively unpredictable. If slight alterations in inputs into that weather simulation are productive/re-productive of quite considerable differences in the manner of its processes then it is obvious we are not dealing with deadly dull linear equations but with more exciting chaotic elements that cannot be so easily determined, if at all [except through functions of probability], certainly cannot be determined in a linear fashion). (10)

	So, the trick would be to develop a pre-conditional situation where small additional investments would then be productive/re-productive of considerable degrees of value, hopefully, of a beneficial nature. (11)
3.    Conditional Basis

	One would need to be perceptive enough to realize in what fashion one could create/re-create this more productive type of ‘space’. Then, one would need to know what additional investments would need to be made in the form of a trigger to establish this potentially beneficial excess of value-output. (12)

	How is such a ‘space’ to be recognized? The keyword here is ‘recognition’. We would need to muster a vast array of information, tune into local knowledge, discover prior indications and incidences of a chaotic terrain, determine possible ‘points’ of transformation along with their potential triggers, and, realize an intuitive perception of the existential nature that that excess of value would or should have since it would be counter-productive, and dangerous, to instigate a chaotic transformation that impinges upon the general overall degree of benefit already present in that situational sphere of operation. All in all, some considerable degree of vision would be called for. However, we are saved from a state of complete blindness in this regard by virtue of an inevitable foreshadowing and tracing out of such a transformation prior to those points of effective transformation. In this we need to hermeneutically anticipate such points and moments of transformational transitioning. And the signs will be there for us to see that, e.g., through previous processes of transformational success or failure; the latter ‘transitions’ not being effectively conducted and have themselves aborted so to speak for a variety of reasons. Those reasons, when and where they can be determined, need to be ascertained and programs re-written in the light of such important inputs. Such inputs overlaying and re-configuring processes of a more redirectional nature. By establishing such insight, both theoretically and practically, and establishing the necessary trigger phenomena, would then allow us to enter and re-direct a conditional phase of increased value production through the advent of the ensuing existential excess, hopefully, of a beneficial nature. (13)

4.    Post-Conditional Basis

	In ‘letting the genie out of the bottle’ so to speak we must hopefully ensure that such re-valuation that ensues from such an induced process of chaotic transformation will be positively productive of the type of benefit that would or should be desired, and, whose re-evaluation is appreciated through critical processes of reflection. However, chaotic ‘phenomena’ are ‘chaotic’ phenomena and not necessarily productive of desirable forms of value. Days of rain can weaken a dam wall. A gust of wind might be all that were needed to finally break it! Careful monitoring might get people out of harm’s way. Positive value can flow from situations of negative value when properly interpreted and treated. The moral here is this – beneficial frames of reference must be in place and in play for beneficial value to be produced in such a fashion as to existentially augment the lives of others! Unintended consequences can also intervene and, hopefully, such adverse ‘side effect’ can also be anticipated. Generally, but not always, good intentions are productive/re-productive (and thence re-directive) of good intentional results since such genres of experience have already been pre-negotiated to such an effect. Our intuitive recognition also needs to be cognizant of such prior patterns of inter-subjective behaviour, observing the conditions and limitations imposed upon the same. Then, with our homework carefully done, one can only hope to be lucky on and for the behalf of others. (14)

	With the advent of an induced chaotic re-direction of state and its ensuing differences in value-formation, one can only hope that such processes of re-direction were existentially beneficial? How does one appreciate and re-evaluate this differential in value-formation? (15)

5.    Evaluation

	In the same manner one was able to evaluate the pre-conditional basis of this transformation, a differential evaluation is arrived at through noting overall difference/s in resultant value-formation. As I have noted, in this series of papers, value is spontaneously produced/re-produced and ‘appears to circulate’ in an economy of value. In effect, though, this ‘circulation’ is more pre-conditional in orientation since it is in and through and beyond these pre-conditional points, etc., (in their recycling, re-circulating, etc.) that value is able to appear to circulate in any conditional (phenomenal-phenomenological) sense. This ‘transcendental illusion’ being assisted by the differential in value-formation arrived at as a consequence of such non-chaotic redirection/chaotic re-direction. Be that beneficial and/or non-beneficial in orientation. Such processes normally possess a complexity of benefit/non-benefit by virtue of their chaotic complexion and the accompaniment of unintended consequences although the latter need not normally co-occur with the former, giving the anticipator of such events the possibility for their amelioration or neutralization, etc. (16)

6.    Provisional Conclusions

	What significant and important provisional conclusions should we arrive at in our reflections in this monograph? (17)

	Careful considerations, intuitive recognitions, skilful manipulation of situations, cautious forms of speculative visualization might all be instrumental in creating/re-creating processes of chaotic change instrumental in the existential augmentation of the lives of others. A process not without risks, but, for all that, with greater benefits for the lives of others if diligently orchestrated. Indeed, an imperative given that everyday processes of a merely redirective nature are more than likely not going to be able to adequately produce/reproduce this degree of augmentation. (18)

	In all of this a ‘critical mass’ needs to be put in play by noting its pre-tracing in earlier forms of failure or relative non-effectiveness. Then, through such investments necessary to establish such a critical pre-conditional basis, certain minor additional investments need only be skillfully deployed in order to induce a successful transformational re-configuration of the social environment in such a manner that delivers this desired degree and manner of existential augmentation. Such has been done before and such can be done again. In periods of revolution such changes are more often adverse, therefore, hopefully, such skilful inaugurations of existential value-formation are less dramatic, more effective, more permanent and more beneficial overall. A matter of getting people on side, ensuring the right number of right people are ‘enlisted’, ensuing that the necessary pre-conditions and trigger phenomena are effective, and, the conditional changes of state and the post-conditional consequences are beneficial and are neither too dramatic nor too disruptive of our lives as we pass through this World-of-Life together with-each-other, before-each-other!! (19)

							    Noël Tointon, Sydney, 7.7.09.

A Series of Points for Presentation

1.	Can we make a difference, a real difference?
2.	History is redolent with examples where the right people at the right time have made a considerable difference.
3.	The next question, therefore, is how do we make a real difference and benefit the lives of others?
4.	Processes of redirection, doing the same things again, will most likely not be of much use to us in this type of project, however, processes of appropriately orientated innovative re-direction might be of a better assistance to us? 
5.	In this regard I would like to introduce a system of concepts that might be of use, a series of concepts associated with chaos theory: where, at points of bifurcation, a small incremental input is capable of inducing chaotic changes of state in relatively radical transformations of re-self-organization and consequential re-direction. 
6.	Intentionality is a perfect exemplar and arena for this type of chaotic event.
7.	I think we can harness this chaotic approach through supplying necessary, strategic, pre-conditional inputs and the crucial application of critical inputs that then orchestrate chaotic changes in state with radically different consequences.
8.	In order to see out existential augmentation a considerable degree of discrimination is called for in order to establish beneficially re-directed processes of change. 
9.	How can such quality control be inaugurated given the chaotic nature of such transformations?
10.	By appealing to genres of experience already pre-negotiated in that regard.
11.	How are we to establish such pre-condititional situations where beneficial changes can be orchestrated with minimal inputs?
12.	Through simulations chaotic-criticality can be simulated (by noting that when small differentially different inputs produce radically different consequences we have located potential points of chaotic bifurcation).
13.	By examining similar historical events and processes that failed and/or succeeded in that same regard, and, intuitively recognizing situations demonstrating the requisite pre-conditional inputs for such desired transformational-transitions.
14.	How do evaluate such potential states of transition and how do we evaluate actual transformed states of transition? By careful transcendental reflection!
15.	Revolutions are such events of transformation, but, by their very chaotic complexion and their intensity of unfolding, they are often adverse to the existential augmentation of the lives of others, therefore, considerations of time, space, manner and intensity, etc., need to be carefully considered in the pre-orchestration and orchestration of such chaotic phenomena.
16.	Hopefully, unintended consequences can also be appropriately anticipated, ameliorated, mediated and/or neutralized, and, we can suitably adjust our programs for future processes of existential augmentation. (20)