Wednesday, July 28, 2010

What the hell are you doing with that Tao Eugene? Eugene???! Eugene NOOOOOO!



original version






modified version

Tao level 0: Tao Diagrams

The Feynman Diagrams are a brilliant graphical tool designed in the 40s by the Nobel Prize in Physics 1965 Richard Feynman, to display in the form of graph or chart the interaction (scattering) made between elementary particles in Quantum Field Theory and in the Quantum Electrodynamics (QED), providing an immediate visual representation of complex quantum field solutions based on the interaction probability.


The particles are represented by lines that may be of various kinds depending on the type of particle they are associated. A point where the lines intersect is called the interaction point, or just the top. The lines are divided into three categories: internal lines (which connect two vertices), incoming lines (which come from the past and come into a vertex and representing the originally non-interacting) and outgoing lines (which start at a vertex and extend "the future" and the final states are not interacting). Sometimes the tables are turned and the past is down, and the future high.
For example in the floor of the University of British Columbia is reproduced a Feynman diagram involving an electron and a positron (the antiparticle of the electron).. The wave line represents the exchange of a photon interaction. The horizontal axis represents the vertical space and time. Note that a particle, the positron, is represented as an electron traveling backward in time.


The Feynman diagrams are pictorial representations of a time series of the perturbative scattering amplitude for a process defined by the initial and final states. In some quantum field theories (like QED), one can obtain excellent approximations of the scattering amplitude from few terms of the perturbation series corresponding to a few simple Feynman diagrams with the same incoming and outgoing lines connected to different vertices and internal lines . A more complex diagram is less likely to happen, but it is never zero if the diagram is feasible.
The Feynman diagrams are just a graph, there is not the concept of location or space, nor time apart from the distinction of incoming and outgoing lines. Moreover, only one set of Feynman diagrams can be said to represent a given interaction, the particles do not "choose" a particular diagram every time they interact.


Even without interaction with other the same particle can emit and absorb other particles, called virtual:

In these diagrams, for example an electron in an electromagnetic field (continuous double line) may have the following behaviors: (a) emits and absorbs a virtual photon (wavy line) ;(b) emits and absorbs a virtual electron-positron pair (double circle ); (c) emits a photon and immediately after another, with an overlap in time; (d) where the virtual electron-positron pair is emitted electron emits a virtual photon is absorbed.
A single particle may divides into its components and then recompose, as in the case of a proton p:



There is even no need for the presence of a "real" particle since in vacuum a continuous creations of pairs of virtual particles (vacuum polarization) happens:


The Feynman diagrams are well representative of the enormous probabilistic dynamic existing at level 0.

Paving Stones at:







Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Change of Tao


Arab Penthouse (in Rome)



by Andree Wallin on

Tao Analysis/Tao Synthesis

A system is completely characterized when you know the relation, or function, or operator OUT/IN for each value of a variable of interest, such as the value of IN, the time or its inverse, frequency.
In some areas (Networks Theory) OUT / IN is called
the Transfer Function of the system.

The procedure of Analysis of the system can be carried out when system is completely know, that is all its elements, their characteristics and functionalities, and all the relationships between the elements, the circuit, and one wants to establish the OUT/IN relationship. This, with previous assumptions, is always possible, even if only with numerical methods for very complicated systems.

The inverse procedure of Analysis is the Synthesis of the system, i.e. given a OUT/IN determine the system that creates it. This is not always possible, if not with methods and numerical approximations, even for OUT/IN relationship is relatively simple.

The two inverse procedures of Analysis/Synthesis therefore have a very different behavior. The situation is similar to that which occurs, for example, in Differential Calculus, where is relatively simple differentiable and integrable functions easily allow the calculation of the derivative function, but not, formally, the integral, except by numerical methods.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

the Unbearable Lightness of Tao

level 0 Tao: elements and interactions

The model which describes all the elementary particles of the matter is known as Standard Model

Including into the Standard Model also the non-elementary particles as molecules, atoms, hadrons and mesons, a complete list of all the elements concerning the physical level of the Universe so far discovered or hypothesized is available.
The interactions between elements are formed by the four fundamental interactions: gravitation, electromagnetism, strong and weak interaction.


Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Dynamics: the Geometry of Tao





the Mind (Page of Swords)

This is what happens when we forget that the mind is meant to be a servant, and start to allow it to run our lives. The head is filled with mechanisms, the mouth is ranting and raving, and the whole surrounding atmosphere is being polluted by this factory of arguments and opinions.

"But wait," you say. "The mind is what makes us human, it's the source of all progress, all great truths." If you believe that, try an experiment: go into your room, shut the door, turn on a tape recorder, and give yourself total permission to say whatever is "on your mind." If you really allow it to all come out, without any censorship or editing, you'll be amazed at the amount of rubbish that comes spewing forth.
The Page of Clouds is telling you that somebody, somewhere, is stuck in a "head trip." Take a look and make sure it isn't you.

This is the situation of your head: I see cycle-handles and pedals and strange things that you have gathered from everywhere. Such a small head...and no space to live in! And that rubbish goes on moving in your head; your head goes on spinning and weaving - it keeps you occupied.
Just think what kind of thoughts go on inside your mind. One day just sit, close your doors, and write down for half an hour whatsoever is passing in your mind, and you will understand what I mean and you will be surprised what goes on inside your mind. It remains in the background, it is constantly there, it surrounds you like a cloud. With this cloud you cannot know reality; you cannot attain to spiritual perception.
This cloud has to be dropped. And it is just with your decision to drop it that it will disappear. You are clinging to it - the cloud is not interested in you, remember it.

level 0 Tao: the Tao of Physics


"The philosophy of Descartes was not only important for the development of classical physics, but also had enormous influence throughout the Western way of thinking to this day. Descartes's famous phrase "Cogito ergo sum" has led Western man to identify with your mind rather than the whole organism. As a result of the Cartesian separation, modern man is aware of itself, in most cases, isolated as I live "inside" of your body. The mind is divided from the body and has been given the task of redundant checks, and that resulted in the appearance of a conflict between conscious and involuntary instincts. Everyone has been further divided into the activities, skills, feelings, opinions, etc., in a large number of separate compartments, unquenchable in conflicts which generate a constant confusion and metaphysics as much frustration. This inner fragmentation of man mirrors his view of the world "outside," which is seen as a set of separate objects and events. This view is further extended to the unitary company, which is divided into different nations, races, religious and political groups. The belief that all these fragments - in ourselves, in our environment and our society - they are really separate can be seen as the root cause of all the current crises, social, ecological and cultural. It has alienated us from nature and our fellow human beings. It caused a incredibly unjust distribution of natural resources, creating economic chaos and political wave of violence, both spontaneous and institutionalized, which grew, and a hostile environment, polluted, in which life has become physically and spiritually unhealthy. The separation made by Descartes and the mechanistic conception of the world have therefore increased at the same time benefits and damages, have proved extremely useful for the development of classical physics and technology, but have had many harmful consequences for our civilization"

"The correspondence between the suggested scientific experiments and mystical experiences may seem surprising, given the very different nature of these modes of observation. Physicists perform experiments that require a complex teamwork and a highly sophisticated technology, whereas mystics obtain their knowledge simply through introspection, without any machine, isolation of meditation. Scientific experiments also appear to be recoverable at any time by anyone, while mystical experiences are unique to a few individuals in particular situations. A closer examination shows, however, that the differences between the two types of observation consist only in how they tackle the problem and not in their reliability or their complexity. Anybody want a repeat experiment of modern subatomic physics must take many years of study and training. Only then can ask specific questions to nature through experiment and understand the answer. Similarly, a profound mystical experience generally requires many years of operation with an experienced master and, as with the scientific background, the time devoted to learning alone does not guarantee the result. However, if successful, the student will be able to "repeat the experiment". The repeatability of the experience is indeed essential for all learning and mystical teaching is the real purpose of spiritual mysticism. "

the Teh of Tao




- 4 -

The Tao is like a well:
used but never used up.
It is like the eternal void:
filled with infinite possibilities.


It is hidden but always present.
I don't know who gave birth to it.
It is older than God.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Tribute to Tao (1920-1994)


«I spent close to two hundred people and I could not see a single human being


open Tao/closed Tao

The introduction by Bertalanffy's concept of open system in 1968 did make a major step forward to solve a contradiction discussed at length by biologists in 1900s.


Every physical system in thermal equilibrium with the environment at a given temperature is governed by the laws of Classical Thermodynamics, particularly the Second Law, set out in 1824 by Sadi Carnot and later developed by Rudolf Clausius and Ludwig Boltzmann in the framework of Statistical Mechanics which introduced the concept of Entropy.

In the statistical formulation entropy is a measure of the order of the system, and the IInd Law states that the entropy of a system can only increase over time, defining an irreversible process of the system towards thermodynamic states of increasing disorder, until the so-called Heat Death of the system.



This is clearly contrary to what is observed in living biological systems, which draw more order from the disorder, as in the classical ORDO AB CHAOS


This contradiction is resolved whereas the classical thermodynamics applies to systems in thermal equilibrium with the environment, while biological open systems are far from equilibrium.
The development of an off-equilibrium thermodynamics that take into account and applies to living systems has been made by the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1977 Ilya Prigogine in the 70s

Earthly Heaven in Tao


Jeroen Anthoniszoon van Aken called Hieronymus Bosch

the Master of Hertogenbosch

Garden of Earthly Delights, left panel
(ap. 1450–1516)
Prado Museum, Madrid

artificial/mental/conceptual/natural/living Tao

A classification of systems is needed in relation to their reference context.



The Artificial systems are generally those designed and built by man, and have the physical level 0.

Natural systems are those occurring in nature regardless of human presence.

The Conceptual systems are designed and built by man but without a physical level. They are the so-called systems of thinking or ideas, the same systemic theory is a conceptual model. A further distinction between these systems are formalized systems, such as mathematics, or non-formalized, such philosophical systems. This is a longtime debate between the so-called hard sciences and soft sciences, and in Italy, the endless and exhausting conflict between Humanism and Science.

Mental systems are generally those produced by the brain, but in general were observed characteristics of mental processes in both artificial engineered systems, particularly there is a discipline devoted to this, Artificial Intelligence, and both in natural and living systems, and of corse in conceptual systems.

Living systems are those which exhibit the characteristics of life, and in this sense are disjoint from those artificial, with a few special achievements so far.

Particularly interesting are overlapping areas between the various classifications, for example between mental and conceptual systems and natural and living.

Monday, July 12, 2010

melting fingers into Tao



the Life in Tao



Jeroen Anthoniszoon van Aken called Hieronymus Bosch

the Master of Hertogenbosch

Garden of Earthly Delights, central panel
(ap. 1450–1516)
Prado Museum, Madrid

towards Tao

In a long Western tradition drawn from the writings of Aristotle, through Kant and the Romantic movement, it was necessary to wait the 1930 to 1940 years for a first complete formulation of a systems theory in biology by Ludwig von Bertalanffy:

with his idea of open system (bertalanffy box):

where for the first time the internal processes of system are connected with the external processes of the environment, as is always the case in biological systems. The whole process is commonly called metabolism. Still lacks the basic concept of feedback that will be born only from years 1940-50.

«Thinking in terms of systems plays a dominant role in a wide range of sectors
ranging from industrial companies and the arms up
to the most mysterious topics of pure science ..."

Thursday, July 8, 2010

the Hell of Tao



Jeroen Anthoniszoon van Aken called Hieronymus Bosch

the Master of Hertogenbosch

Hell - Garden of Earthly Delights, detail
(ap. 1450–1516)
Prado Museum, Madrid

Tao Hierarchical levels

Systems, intended as analysis or synthesis of congruent elements and relationships/processes between them, are to be considered as classes/logical sets of the elements.
A key feature of any non-trivial system is the description of levels of analysis/description or synthesis/design of the system:

In this vision the system is seen as the set of classes of elements more general self-contained.
A classic description of levels of the system of life on our planet is, for example:


In real systems, existing into physical matter, level 0 is always the physical, and contains several sublevels based on the models of elementary particles and atoms.
The upper level 1 is that concerning the chemical molecular aggregates of atoms.
Level 2 is composed of aggregates of molecules to cells and cell aggregates to compose tissues and organs.
Level 3 is a set of interacting bodies and related physiologically to produce multicellular living organisms.
Once living organisms are produced there will be an interaction between them, which is the level 4, the social.
Finally, the highest level is represented by all living organisms with their environment, and that is the one of ecosystem.
In the case of artificial systems the classical example is the one of two-level physical/hardware and application/software, in turn containing many sublevels each.

A more complete representation of the various physical systems and their representational systems is:
Hierarchy of Some Systems and Domains of Knowledge
Graphics created by Marshall Clemens, NECSI