# Uncertainty's Complexity

## How much of what we believe to control, do we actually control?

In general, that which can be understood as the current overarching modus operandi of the world - driven by the macroeconomic forces of globalization - foresees a great deal of control over various variables and phenomena around us. And the mind & action-sets that derive from this viewpoint end up defining much of the conscious (and unconscious) human experience at this time. However, it is no exaggeration to argue that this seemingly reality is much closer to a staged scene, especially in contexts characterized by high complexity. For example, little is seen of this yearning for control in what we usually call “the natural world," of which we are all part of. What one sees, in fact, are diverse flows that give rise to situations of dynamic equilibrium, in the scales of organisms and collectives of organisms (ecosystems) alike.

From this perspective, it is possible to speculate about a moment of split between the human consciousness and its own Nature, a phenomenon evidenced in the attempts of control and command of the latter by the former. In other words, that which does not self-recognize in its full form, tries to control and command the dimension of itself that are not understood as its own. That is, the parts of the self that expand beyond a well defined body.

In this process, the commanders blindfold themselves to what they comfortably call externalities and start to operate from a controlling mindset, making dancing and playful experiences with their outer dimensions less likely to happen. What is utterly tragic, given that such dances are essential lessons for how to build a relationship with Uncertainty, so abundant in Nature, thus ourselves.

So, in a vicious cycle, the lack of experiences teaching how to relate to Uncertainty brings the fear of it, which generates the yearning for control, which makes the experiences that teach dancing with Uncertainty improbable, and so on...

The repetition of this pattern by several agents in long periods of time reinforces the collective staging of a controlable reality and the tendency to linearize complex situations. But as we increase the degree of connectivity between us and consequently the complexity of our existence, linearization as a method becomes dangerous, and the systems attempting to control that which is complex begin to show signs of their inadequacy. In the midst of this, what remains is the movement of change which in all its fluidity, asks for passage.

Times are adept at bringing us discomfort and great uncertainty when they change and switch phases. But they too, the uncertainties, give us clues so that we can continue to discover, from within ourselves, new paths or opportunities to become hikers anew. In this way, we are doing ourselves in the ways of nature, weaving vital bonds, discovering talents and weaknesses. And as it is with intimate relationships, in which one can not know where trust in a partner will lead, the uncertainty inherent to times of change brings with it a certain degree of hope and leaves room for the construction of a common imaginary; a cocoon for the abundance of inputs and connections that can give birth to the beautiful.

Considering this as background, what exists in a future scenario resulting from the sowing of a new consciousness precisely in the now? Perhaps we will adapt to the fluidity of inconstancy, so that the unforeseen gains space in the plans, in an individual and collective state of full confidence in the dance between chaos and order. Simply paradoxical, the poetry of duality. We will no longer be so surprised, the development of equanimity suggests that mankind will become accustomed to the flow of surprises.

As Buckminster Fuller puts it: "In its complexities of design integrity, the Universe is technology. The technology evolved by man is thus far amateurish compared to the elegance of nonhumanly contrived regeneration. Man does not spontaneously recognize technology other than his own, so he speaks of the rest as something he ignorantly calls nature."

This perspective contemplates a wide range of meanings and makes necessary the conception of consonant paradigms that make it possible to fully congregate the many types of knowledge, values and ways of knowing offered by the human and non-human adventures throughout time and space, such as the most different artistic, technological, cultural, philosophical, and spiritual manifestations. Perhaps these paradigms will be able to make us more equipped to dance with the dynamic complexity that generates and feeds on the various flows inherent to Life and Uncertainty, perhaps even immunizing us against the sensations of anguish that accompany several of the situations that we can not control.

In another speculative exercise, one can infer that the modi operandi coming from such paradigms, in accommodating for the Nature of our nature, can help us to cultivate complex dynamics and rhythms to be transcribed into organic patterns that can mitigate the chances of injustice and damage arising from what is intentionally designed as uncertain and ambiguous given certain agenda, such as certain norms, laws and social agreements.

Nonetheless, at the end of the day, there is no way of knowing whether the speculations presented here actually point to some truth, or if their foundations are solid. Mostly because these deliberations seem to obey ontological and epistemological logics that do not have well defined forms, but are rather fluid themselves. That is, they exist to the extend that people conceptualize and live them, exchanging documentation and validation only sparingly. So, to put it succinctly, this entire text is uncertain in its essence.

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This text was written collaboratively by several people connected to the clusters of study, interaction and netweaving Emergir and E2GLATS and its branch clusters. The cover image is a picture taken from a "Roda de Capoeira", a place where one has to dance with the tUncertainty of their partner's movement.