THE INFINITE VORTEX

Ahead of the release of Douglas Hofstadter's latest book "I am a Strange Loop" a few profiles have been floating around in the media (see New Scientist, 10 March 2007). I have taken some notes which could be useful.

Hofstadter’s latest theme is “what is self ?” He says it’s not a physical object, but a pattern. It could be as simple as a smile — if that is how you remember somebody. Selves change over time … they are transient. They can be represented at many levels and exist in multiple places.

Hofstadter believes a self - although not physical - does requires a substrate to support its existence. This could be a photograph or a mirror. The patterns defining self may be captured within a place, an event, a certain style or culture. The pattern must have a minimum dimension to be a self. A summary or sketch may be too small or lack definition. He uses the notion of granularity. Like the dots in a newspaper photo, they may be too coarse to allow a face to be identified.

The key to the Strange Loop of the book’s title is the importance of self-referencing. Hofstadter uses the analogy of the video camera pointed at a monitor, which in turn is connected to the camera. He sees the effect of the infinite vortex of feedback as the model of building and representing a “self”

Together with self-reference he sees the unlikely partners of literature and science using familiar tools such as paradox, metaphor, irony and humour to help deal with (and explain) complex realities.

The author’s humanity comes to the fore when he well dwells on the ultimate definition of a wholesome and healthy self. He believes we should all reflect upon other people with empathy and co-operation. This sounds very much like the Golden Rule, long identified by the wise ancients of all cultures, that is — do unto others as you would have them do to yourself.