FUTURLOGICS a system of prospective thinking:
by james n. hall COPYRIGHT © 1983 BY JAMES NORMAN HALL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatever without express written permission of the publisher ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Printed in the United States of America SELF TEACHING PUBLICATIONS WEST JORDAN, UTAH 84084 USA Previous Next Table of Contents of FUTURLOGICS
Chapter IX PARADIGM FUTURE |
THE PARADIGM FUTURE AND THE MODEL MODE Knowledge of the future seems to be instinctive. None of us are completely void of any knowledge of the future. We may not know details, but the general notion of its existence is well accepted. All of us have a degree of prescience. Even if this prescience is vague and general, it points our mind to look forward. From this vague knowledge we can shape and see the future as if it were a mode. The future we see through our "instinctive" knowledge is the paradigm future. The paradigm future is our estimation of the future from the non-specific form of intuition. It is also the sense of the future we have gained through using the other modes. The historical mode, the observational mode, the imaginary mode, the assumptive mode, and the creative mode all give us a certain degree of prescience, enabling us to relate to the future. The accumulation of data gained through the modes gives us a sense that we can use to determine future events. Using what we already know of the future to determine more is the essence of the prospective cycle which generates the mode producing the paradigm future. MODEL OR MODAL The prospective approach to the future is both a modal and a model. In the divided futures we have analyzed it stands as very important. It is a mode because we use partial knowledge to obtain further knowledge of the future; it is a model because of the success of achieving some knowledge of the future gives us an ideal to pattern further approaches. Because this mode is at the same time also a model, it has special importance to Futurlogics. The prospective cycle can be a mode if we realize that most persons divide the future into the short range and the long range. If we use only short-range future facts to determine long-range future events and conditions, then the modal properties of distortion are possible. Also, if we take the long-range facts to determine short-range events and conditions, then the modal characteristics are again evident. In order to prevent our knowledge of the future from becoming a mode, we have to let the future naturally piece itself together. Being over-zealous with a little knowledge and attempting to squeeze this knowledge into a comprehensive foreknowledge in the beginning changes the model properties of the prospective cycle from a model to a mode. If we have a good knowledge of the future--nearly a foreknowledge in definition and specification of dates and events--then the modal effect is minimized and the model aspect is maximized. In simpler words, the more we know of the future, the more we can know. Conversely, the less we know, the less we can know. Ignorance breeds confusion. THE SUBCONSCIOUS AND THE PROSPECTIVE MODE To a Californian, New York is real but cannot be directly experienced. If he doubts that New York exists, he need only visit the state and see for himself its actuality. For the most part we accept the maps and reports of those who have been there. We have learned to prove parts of the future we know by waiting for some aspect of it to test its actuality. After a few such tests we find it is expensive and unnecessary to test all the things we know of the future, so we accept them as we would a map of New York state. The whole map of the earth is accepted by random sample test of some part of the earth to see if it is in compliance with the map. It is not necessary to go to every part of the planet to see if the entire map is correct. After we gain a confidence level, we are assured the entire map is true. The prospective mode of approaching the future is also this kind of confidence build-up. The confidence tests we use will give us the trust we need to learn of the future from the known parts of the future. We say that the sun will rise tomorrow. We learn to accept this without question. Prolonged thought to prove that the sun will rise can cause doubt, and even a flash of fear. We learn to laugh at such fears and say everybody "knows" the sun will rise tomorrow. This is seen as unnecessary worry. Because of this, most of what we know of the future remains at the subconscious level of thought. Simply, the usual logic we use to prove things generally does not work and always causes trouble and anxiety when we deal with the future. Dealing with present realities, we find the work fine and tend to give us a sense of certainty. However, only our subconscious mind can handle the seeming "unrealness" of futurity. Things learned through prospective cycles are self-evident and intuitively obvious. They must be seen by a non-objective method. Again, this is where the model of Futurlogics and DMP can be seen in the prospective approach to the future. We know that eventually the sun will burn out and the earth will freeze. But to use this knowledge as a basis of action is not practical because of the billions of years between now and that event. By that time man will have found another planet and sun to take its place. If our knowledge of the future directly applies to the present and we can relate to it, it is a model. If, however, we try to work out everyday-problems and events from a remote future, the modal effect is present. Foreknowledge should put us into harmony with reality, not cause discordance. The Bible states, "take no thought for the morrow . . . the morrow will take thought for itself." We must not concern ourselves with things beyond that which we can relate to, unless the object is pure research of the future. The saying that "a little knowledge is dangerous" is true here. Vague notions of the future, even though true, are sometimes worse than no knowledge at all if we over react to them. The amount or quality of the knowledge of the future decides whether it is mode or model. If the foreknowledge is extensive and action sure and positive, then the paradigm future is a harmonious model. But without meaningful behavior the prospective cycle is a mode. Finally, when Futurlogics is learned, the paradigm future becomes a model. All foreknowledge begins as subconscious prescience. Indeed by definition FOREKNOWLEDGE is conscious knowledge of the future and prescience is the subconscious inklings of foreknowledge. In the Paradigm Future if we use foreknowledge to further study the future it is a model approach, or if the vague subconscious prescience is used as a source it becomes a mode of approach. SUMMARY AND FUTURLOGICS Perhaps other ideas can be made into divisions of the future, and then into modes; but what we have studied will be of general application and can serve in a broad discussion of the future and how we deal with our beliefs concerning it. To briefly summarize the divisions and the modes, we make some concise definitions for purposes of reference: absolute future is that described in the parameters of the retrospective thought and linear extension of the past; natural future is the future described in the parameters of sensory observation where personal objectivity is strictly observed; imaginary future is all that man imagines the future to be; artificial future is the internal future generated by the subconscious levels of thought spawned by the forces which cause us to act; synthetic future is described in terms of the mind's extension, the hand--it is the act of creativity; paradigm future is the foreknowledge we have which lacks definition and detail, but which shapes our view of the future. It is precognition. It becomes both a mode and a model. The above divisions become symbols and terms of the parametric descriptions of the future that we have referred to as modes. Modes are the results of cycles--or closed circuit thinking--as in the see-know, the see-believe. Very often when we are exposed to new things we interpret them by language we are familiar with, and we are often misled because of the mechanics of the familiar terms. Futurlogics is the balanced use of the modes which neutralizes the modal distractions as we envision the future. It becomes the DMP contact to the study of the future. It points to truth, which is knowledge of the three phases of the temporal environments--the past, present, and future. Futurlogics is the perfected mode. None of us have a perfect knowledge of how we conceive the future, nor do we have complete foreknowledge. But the "future" we do understand can be improved. DMP is the only "contact" we have with the ulterior realities we call futurity. DMP has been left purposely ambiguous, because the exact nature of this "contact" is not clear until we perfect the system of Futurlogics. Futurlogics will set up such an attitude of mind that full contact with the future through DMP can be achieved. Four stages of growth can be recognized in our orientation to the future. First, innocence; second, proxy future, or "any future is better than no future;" third, futurlogics or prototype future; and fourth, foreknowledge; DMP. The essential point of this is that we don't have a perfect knowledge of the future, or a perfect foreknowledge. So we come up with a proxy future, subject to revision when we discover its limitations. How we revise it is the thrust of this book. Futurlogics is the systematic revision of these proxy futures toward a prototype that will point to the truth, which becomes the final objective--FOREKNOWLEDGE! Traffic signs indicate road conditions and maps guide us through unknown territories. So we must use Futurlogics as a guide to direct us toward our objective. Futurlogics is not the future--it is a means, a guidepost, a map to help us on our way. We must always be conscious of how the parameters of thinking about the future lead us away from DMP contact with future realities. DMP is our most intimate contact with the future and to allow any distraction will result in a distorted view of things to come. The minimum requirement of Futurlogics is to be able to use more than one mode. This freefloating effect of transferring awareness to the mode in which one is operating is necessary to see ahead clearly. Discerning the origin of any idea, notion, or feeling is the key to accurate prediction. Tracing each idea to the mode in which we are thinking will develop this ability. DMP will be the final result. Remember to use only one mode is to have others think for you. DMP is truly thinking for oneself. RELATION TO ACADEMIC WORLD We live surrounded by academic disciplines. All the sciences set forth points and areas concerning the future. If we have been able to detach ourselves from the narrowness of the views that any specific approach to the future might produce, the special patterns of thought to which Futurlogics ascribes enables us to objectively look at these various allusions. Any futurist must be able to detach himself from the present and see from another point in space. This detached, freefloating perspective is necessary to probe the future, and it is the outcome of Futurlogics. If a futurist cannot free himself from his method of obtaining data, the procedures and logics of the methods will inject themselves into the resulting scenario of the future. In order to look at the future from the standpoint of a generalist rather than that of a specialist, an overall attitude must be acquired so all the predictions of the specialized fields of research can fit into the larger scheme of things. In the academic role, the futurist will eventually come in at the end of all the other studies. Since the future is a result of all kinds of causes, the futurist must have the most expansive view of all the disciplines in education. Unbalanced input from the academic system of today from a dominant discipline is catamount to the modal effect that we have been discussing in the distorting effect of the six modes. The psychology and mentality of today's futurist will eventually arrive at the implied meaning of DMP as it has been outlined. Another side note is that each person's personality will necessitate that DMP be the result of intuitive discovery. This has been the thrust of this study and must remain so as long as the techniques and teaching methods of futurism are in their infant stages, before a structured teaching system for studying the futurist psychology can develop. DMP is an intuitive discovery. It cannot be taught, nor can we know the exact nature of DIRECT MIND PERCEPTION or DIRECT MENTAL PROCESS. However, these process or perceptions are a natural and inherent part of all our thinking. We use them all the time, but we are rarely in control of them. Futurlogics offers a way to tap and use the natural abilities of the mind to derive information from the future and our conceptions of it. Although DMP cannot be taught, Futurlogics can, and Futurlogics leads to the discovery of DMP. Futurlogics enables us to alternate from one mode to another freely so that we can approach the future from many perspectives and evade the distortion of a narrow approach. Even though the beginnings are mechanical, when the process is internalized we should find the emergence of DMP. How do we internalize the procedure of Futurlogics? It is by practice and conscious effort that it will eventually become habit and unconscious procedure. It is during these stages that the sense of DMP will be felt and is discernible in our thought process. We must try the different modes and be able to use them all. Also, we must wean ourselves from excessive favoritism of one mode. Resistance upon leaving favorite mode is the biggest obstacle to DMP we will encounter. But it is essential that our thoughts be clear, candid, and impersonal. The future is everything new and not yet colored by prejudicial bias. We must be childlike to look toward the future effectively. It is best to study the modes and thought processes that precipitate their use and adherence in thinking about the future (or any other subject of an abstract nature for that matter). Thorough understanding of the ways people think about the future can help us avoid the pitfalls inherent in undertaking the prediction of the future. Sometimes it is just as good to understand why we have failed as to succeed and not understand why. Futurlogics helps us understand our failures and points us to success. DMP contact with the future is the most positive experience we can have, because it liberates the mind to think as it was meant to. Being able to use the different modes, we can become able to recognize the origin of each idea. When we can trace each idea concerning the future, then any idea that is a product of DMP is recognizable. DMP is itself a discerning ability to trace the source of our ideas. Again, when we first try to investigate the future it is as though we are looking through a kaleidoscope--every time we move, it changes. But if dissembled if is exquisitely simple: a few pieces of colored glass, a diffusing medium to destroy fine detail and enhance general form, and a tube to direct the line of vision to the mirrors . . . DMP, then, is understanding this kaleidoscope of our mind seeing the future.