Some Additional Comments on the Nature and Rectification 
Of the Phenomenon of Proliferation 

	An open forum was held on 11.6.06 discussing this phenomenon of proliferation. In the light of this discussion, and some further reflections on this topic, I would like to add the following comments:

1.	As noted in the last paragraph (P.6) of An Urgent Postscript proliferation in itself is neither good nor bad. So how do we define an act of proliferation, or a series of acts of proliferation, as either positive or negative? Possibly one way to do this is to erect a context of determination and then determine the surplus of value that is derived from that act or series of acts within those terms of reference. In this act of reflection, whether conducted retrospectively, prospectively or in real time contemporaneously, what is hopefully found is a state of positive proliferation, namely, an excess of value considerably greater than the total of inputs needed to establish that state in question. Just as I have argued for a charitable interpretation of systematic presentations, through the existential fact that there is an emergence of value, in the formation of a systematic totality, greater than the summation of its inputs, so too should we not be surprised that acts of proliferation could all well have a state of current value in excess of the summation of their inputs. In such a light there would be no forms of negative proliferational value. E.g., the proliferation of nuclear weaponry could be considered as potentially disastrous for this planet. Yet, we could also argue that as long as they are not utilized their creation actually adds to the GNP of that country that manufactured them. Unless terms of reference are non-emergently scoped negative forms of proliferational value would therefore be impossible to discover. Thus, to determine forms of proliferation value that could be considered to be relatively negative in orientation we need to re-consider this formation of evaluation along the following lines. First, the determination of positive value is realized when the formation of value in that act or series of acts is recognized as realizing a considerably greater degree of relative value, i.e., a degree of value greatly in excess of the mere value of its mere inputs and their mere emergent summation. Furthermore, this relativity needs to be considered in an open-ended frame of reference in so far as to determine the possibility of greater degrees of possible and achievable value formation in that type of context. By such means we can then realize the probable comparative existential value of that form an/or instance of proliferation. Remember though, through proliferation and the trade of the same, today a vast segment of the world’s current population has been able to extricate itself from a state of poverty that otherwise would have perpetuated itself!

2.	That proliferative acts in summation can actually create newly emergence consequences that cannot be reductively and appropriately traced back to any one act or segment of a proliferational process. An example here is the recognition that the contextual ethos of advertisements on an individual case by case basis might be above board yet the net result of their collective dissemination might well be considered to be considerably negative in its consequences, etc. Therefore, proliferational states should also be evaluated from a collective and emergent point of view in order to properly determine the relative positivity or negativity of the same! Evaluation also needs to be determined on a long-term basis rather than in a frame of reference that is located in a short period of time. In this regard we should not be, e.g., ‘future-eaters’ wherein we benefit at the expense of future generations, etc.

3.	In the last paragraph (P.6) of An Urgent Postscript I stated: “unchecked proliferation is a waste of resources whether that be money, time and/or capital in some other form, etc. However, and let us be clear on this topic, all forms of directly instigated hyper-proliferation are always unfavourable for both the person and the community and will always come with a price to pay greater that immediacy of a more apparent price tag…!” It has been pointed out to me that hyper-economies could also have a comic, self-ironic, auto-critical aspect to their existences? Of course hyper-inflation, e.g., when it occurs, is not a pleasant economic state of affairs to have to endure, so, this potentially positive type of qualification would need to be properly ascertained on a situational by situational basis, etc.

4.	The phenomenon of collecting also seems to be a proliferational type of enterprise although it could also be argued that its effects need not directly promote the creation of further production if the items collected are no longer manufactured. Collecting could be considered an act that is a type of counter-proliferation in that light. Of course, the phenomenon of collecting is a feature that drives the contemporaneous art market since artists have to sell their production in some form or other and this aspect is promoted by the promotion of this phenomenon of collecting. Furthermore, the collecting of antiquities and antiques, and their promotion, can also drive the proliferation of the manufacture of fakes and/or reproductions, promote the illegal acts of archaeological recovery, collection, re-appropriation, etc. However, the psychology behind collecting might well have much in common with the psychology behind excessive forms of proliferation (wherein positive forms of proliferation can through excessive production and/or appropriation can enter negative territory).

5.	In the light of the last comment, a rectification of negative acts of proliferation and hyper-proliferation, and the rectification of negatification of positive forms of proliferation/hyper-proliferation would need to take into account, I believe, e.g., a deep understanding of the nature of obsession and other allied forms of negative psychological states/states that subject themselves to negatification through excessive and/or deficiency of performance, etc., should be undertaken! Essentially, it would appear, that circuit breakers of various forms would need to be adopted along with various forms of positive reinforcement to re-channel various needs and drives, etc., towards forms of behaviour with a relatively positive complexion. Relaxation, as pointed out, would be one such circuit breaker. The phenomenon of downsizing would also be a life-style that would support this type of re-direction, etc. Obviously, this is an important area that needs much further research. Suggestions of various possible topics, etc., in this field would be welcomed. 

         Noël Tointon, Sydney, 12.6.06.