Chapter 1: Telepathy, Time, and Octopuses

Recently, I stumbled upon an article about octopuses that sparked a memory from an earlier journal entry. Back then, I found myself in an unusual mindset, convinced that my dog was transmitting telepathic signals to me, which I believed I was successfully interpreting. Whether this telepathic connection was real remains a puzzling mystery.

That experience was undeniably strange. In that state, I felt as though my dog's emotions were being projected into the vastness of the universe. I envisioned my dog launching messages into the cosmic void, creating infinite ripples stemming from my seemingly trivial moments—like lounging on my couch with my dog at 3 AM on a Wednesday.

This reflection has prompted me to think about the nature of time and how our perception of it shapes our worldview, beliefs, and existence.

So, about time…

This contemplation has naturally led me to octopuses, because that's how my thought process unfolds.

Let's delve into the topic of octopuses. I often associate them with the thought-provoking film "Arrival." Each time octopuses come to mind, I am reminded of the aliens in "Arrival," who bear a resemblance to these fascinating creatures. I assume this design choice was deliberate, even though I haven't verified it. Regardless, the connection is immediate when I think of the Heptapods.

For a deeper understanding, I highly recommend watching "My Octopus Teacher." This documentary chronicles a man's friendship with an octopus, allowing viewers to experience the bond and wisdom that unfolds. It's genuinely captivating.

This entire discussion serves to illustrate how octopuses have prompted me to rethink my understanding of time, akin to my personal interpretation of the documentary.

Now, regarding octopuses...

(Quick side note: I looked up whether "octopuses" or "octopi" is the correct term, and both are valid! Sometimes, knowledge just slips my mind. It's fascinating how I come across such random information while exploring these topics. End of side note.)

To address octopuses in this context, I want to introduce the idea of embodied cognition. This theory suggests that our cognitive functions are closely linked to how our bodies interact with the world.

What does this imply?

Our physical movements and positions don't merely result from our perception of time; they're integral to its very essence.

An octopus, an invertebrate with movement as fluid as the water it inhabits, serves as an intriguing subject for examining embodied time perception. Unlike humans, whose upright stance may foster a linear perception of time, octopuses engage with their surroundings in a fundamentally different way.

Firstly, octopuses possess a decentralized nervous system, with a considerable number of neurons in their arms. This unique arrangement likely leads to diverse processing speeds and integration of sensory information, potentially influencing their perception of time.

Moreover, octopuses can control their limbs independently. The semi-autonomous capabilities of their arms, which can execute complex tasks without direct input from the brain, imply that their perception and reaction to stimuli may be immediate and localized. This suggests that their experience of time could be more fragmented or dispersed compared to the centralized experience humans have.

Bringing this back to humans and "Arrival":

The octopus, with its decentralized nervous system and independent limbs, draws a fascinating parallel to the Heptapods in "Arrival" regarding their perception of time. Just as an octopus's tentacles work autonomously to process and respond to stimuli, the Heptapods experience consciousness in a way that transcends linear time. Their complex, circular logograms reflect a holistic understanding of time, perceiving events not sequentially but as a simultaneous whole.

This decentralized and non-linear interpretation of the world contrasts sharply with the human experience of time, which is largely shaped by our centralized nervous system and sequential thought processes. Humans tend to perceive time as a linear progression—a narrative with a beginning, middle, and end—mirroring our forward-moving navigation through life. In contrast, the octopus glides effortlessly in any direction, its tentacles functioning independently, suggesting a more immediate and potentially non-linear interaction with its environment.

In "Arrival," the Heptapods challenge the human characters to expand their understanding of time's progression. Similarly, considering the octopus's perception encourages us to reassess our own experiences bound by time. If the octopus's sense of time is indeed more fragmented, it might resemble the Heptapods' experience more closely than our own. Each tentacle, capable of acting independently, could symbolize a distinct temporal event, with the octopus's central brain integrating these events into a coherent yet non-linear experience.

Louise Banks's understanding of the Heptapod communication system allows her to perceive time as they do—as a continuous whole rather than a series of sequential moments. This may parallel how an octopus processes sensory information from its tentacles simultaneously, merging inputs into a collective perception that does not prioritize one moment over another.

In both cases—Louise's newfound comprehension of the Heptapod language and the octopus's decentralized nervous system—there exists a central entity responsible for synthesizing diverse pieces of information into a unified whole. This suggests a conception of consciousness that is expansive and non-hierarchical, where the perception of time is not limited to a single, forward-moving trajectory, but rather embodies a comprehensive awareness of various possibilities and outcomes.

Octopuses may perceive time in a fragmented way, and Heptapods experience time similarly, albeit with the additional unique ability to foresee potential futures—a significant distinction, certainly, but keep in mind we are discussing a fictional narrative.

The central idea is that time is not an objective reality but a construct influenced by the physical, social, and cultural contexts in which it is experienced. The physical aspect will become crucial later.

In "Arrival," Louise begins to perceive time differently due to her immersion in a radically different cultural environment.

It's a captivating notion: our human experience of time is not merely a mental abstraction but also an embodied one. Our upright posture and bipedal movement contribute to a forward-looking perspective, both literally and metaphorically.

The octopus's experience may be less constrained by linear progression and more akin to a web of fragmented present moments, with each limb responding to stimuli in its own temporal context.

The Heptapods' language, which is non-sequential and non-linear, reflects a view of time that is all-encompassing and simultaneous. Their communication captures entire concepts within a single glyph, indicating a cognitive process that perceives time not as a linear sequence but as a complete whole to be observed.

This raises the intriguing possibility that they are, in part, 4-dimensional entities—a discussion for another time.

To delve deeper into this conversation about time, we must explore Assembly Theory.

Assembly theory combines principles from physics with Darwinian evolution, suggesting that complexity, whether observed in nature or human-made systems, is not random. Instead, it arises from a directional and cumulative process—a 'memory' embedded within the essence of various life forms.

In this context, 'memory' is not merely metaphorical. It represents a tangible property, a measure of the complex series of events and interactions that have shaped an entity's current state. This perspective offers a more physical interpretation of time, viewing it as an intrinsic element of the universe and its laws, rather than a mere backdrop or illusion.

Consequently, memory and time are perceived as quantifiable attributes—metrics for the intricate series of events leading to an object's present condition.

Assembly Theory introduces an 'assembly index' to quantify the complexity of an object's history. This index narrates the evolutionary and developmental paths traversed, rather than merely documenting existence.

To visualize this concept, imagine a large box of LEGO bricks. Each time you create something—no matter how random or peculiar—it involves specific steps and pressures leading to the final product. Each LEGO brick contributes to the index or narrative of the construction process, underscoring its significance.

This analogy suggests that everything possesses a history detailing its formation, which is crucial. It informs us of the simplicity or complexity of an object, serving as a record of all the stages involved in its creation.

For instance, a biological human is more complex than a life-sized human figure made of LEGO bricks, so the biological human's narrative is longer and encompasses more stages. Scientists can apply this concept in the search for extraterrestrial life, as living organisms possess unique histories about their origins.

Consider the phrase "once upon a time," which we use to begin stories. These scientists propose that "time" is not merely an interval marked by clocks but is embedded in the narrative of everything. It's akin to suggesting that the duration required to create something is integral to its complexity, just as LEGO bricks recount the story of their assembly.

Now, why does this matter to our previous discussion? Well, time, my friend.

Thus, the octopus, with its decentralized nervous system and remarkable problem-solving abilities, exemplifies a high assembly index. Each tentacle, capable of independent action yet part of a cohesive whole, signifies a complex evolutionary pathway.

The unique intelligence and movement of the octopus could be viewed as a physical expression of its evolutionary 'memory'—the sum of adaptive responses accumulated over time. Assembly Theory may provide a way to quantitatively grasp the intricacy of the octopus's evolutionary history, shedding light on how its perception of time—possibly non-linear and multidimensional—has been shaped by its biological legacy.

In "Arrival," the Heptapods' language and perception of time challenge human understandings of sequential events. Their circular logograms, conveying meaning in a non-linear manner, could be the result of a 'memory' that encompasses all temporal dimensions simultaneously. This implies that their evolutionary journey has led to a form of intelligence where time, as a physical dimension, is fully manifested in their cognition and communication.

Conversely, humans experience time as a linear sequence, heavily influenced by cultural constructs and the physical reality of our existence. Our 'assembly index' would reflect the evolutionary pressures that have favored a perception of time as a tool for survival, planning, and coordination.

However, Assembly Theory might also imply that our linear understanding of time is not an absolute truth but a specific outcome of our evolutionary journey. It suggests that our temporal 'memory'—the accumulation of cultural, biological, and cognitive developments—shapes how we perceive and interact with time.

The proposition that time possesses a physical size and is a property of objects aligns with the idea that time is not merely a backdrop for action but a fundamental element of reality. The octopus's distributed intelligence, the Heptapods' holistic time perception, and human cultural metaphors for time all point to a universe where time is as tangible as space. This suggests that time, much like the complex structures it helps to shape, is an active participant in the cosmos, possessing its own 'memory' and evolutionary significance.

Whew…

I hope all of this makes sense.

Connecting Assembly Theory to the discussion of octopuses, Heptapods, and human time perception suggests that the complexity we observe—whether in an octopus's arm, a Heptapod's logogram, or a human's narrative—reflects the intricate interplay between spatial and temporal dimensions. The 'memory' within the assembly index serves not only as a record of past events but as a roadmap of potential future outcomes, revealing diverse forms of intelligence and temporal perception.

In this context, the octopus's possible non-linear time perception, the Heptapods' transcendent communication, and the human tendency to view time as a linear progression represent different expressions of how the fabric of time is woven into the very essence of existence.

Ultimately, I hope this perspective encourages a fresh examination of the complexity of existence and invites a reevaluation of the fundamental nature of time—as a dimension that is both shaped by and shapes the evolutionary history of all complex systems.

Now, go make friends with an octopus.

Or perhaps just watch "Arrival."

Stay curious, and navigate your own labyrinth.

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Chapter 2: The Influence of Telepathy in Animal Behavior

The phenomenon of telepathy in animals, particularly dogs, has fascinated many. Research has explored whether pets can sense their owners' emotions or thoughts, leading to intriguing experiments.

The first video, "Telepathy in Dogs Experiments Rupert Sheldrake BBC Out of this World Segment 1996," delves into these concepts, presenting compelling evidence and thought-provoking insights about the telepathic abilities of dogs and their connection with humans.

Chapter 3: The Symbolism of the Gorilla Totem

Exploring the role of gorillas as totems reveals deep insights into personality traits and life challenges.

In the second video, "Gorilla as a Totem: Personality Characteristics and Life-Path Challenges," we learn about the symbolic significance of gorillas and how they can provide guidance and understanding in our lives.