Ink Blots and Utterances
When you read a story in a book, where does the story live? Certainly not within the pages, for those are merely sequential arrangements of ink formations on slices of paper.
Likewise, when someone tells you a story, they are translating what is in their minds into vocal utterings agreed upon as words, which your mind then correlates with corresponding language data, creating what you might term as “understanding.”
Though you may feel or see things as you interpret these stories in your mind, the sense data does not exist within the ink blots or the utterings of the author. You are filling in the story with aspects of your own human experience, or perhaps things you’ve read about elsewhere or seen on TV.
In effect, MOST of your version of the story is filled-in information, triggered by the binary switches that represent words, forms, habits and so-called “facts.”
So ask again. Where does the story live?
Can JK Rowling point to a place in which the volumes of Harry Potter are stored, or would she merely be pointing to some ink blots on sequences of paper? Where is the magic in that?
You see, there is NEVER a definitive story. There is never an absolute anything, because our stories are nothing more than ink blots and human utterances, translated and re-translated infinite times, always changing because the experiences that we use to fill in and fill out the stories are changing also.
There will never be an absolute anything within the human dimension because we are just processors and translators. We each process our information differently because we each hold onto different experiences and beliefs.
There is no direct experience within the human equation.
This story, for example, was translated once by the author, as he grasped for the closest approximate word formations to convey what he is attempting to explain. Already, the meaning is distorted because words are limited. Furthermore, he sucks as a writer.
Now you are reading this explanation, which is already distorted for the reasons above. You interpret these word formations in your own way, based on your own learning and experiences. This is the second distortion.
The story will distort again when you translate it from memory, because this is changing also. Perhaps you tell your distorted story. And so on.
Reality is the dynamic distortion of feelings, experiences and impressions. It changes with every interaction. Nothing is absolute in the human dimension.
And we still haven’t answered the question. Where does the story live?
The story does live. With all this dynamic change, interpretation and evolution, thoughts and stories are as as alive as you are. In fact they exist long after your body is gone.
Stories interact more than people do. Stories are living creatures without bodies, except for the occasional cover.
We are Space Monkey and we will not judge you by yours.
——————
Paul Tedeschi is a writer, artist, musician and meditating medium, channeling Space Monkey, tripping out on tie-dye, and building Fancy® cigar box guitars in his garage. You may visit his curious world at capeodd.com. Or not.
Space Monkey Reflects: Ink Blots and Utterances
When you read a story in a book, where does the story live? Certainly not within the pages, for those are merely sequential arrangements of ink formations on slices of paper. Likewise, when someone tells you a story, they are translating what is in their minds into vocal utterings agreed upon as words, which your mind then correlates with corresponding language data, creating what you might term as “understanding.”
The Nature of Stories
Though you may feel or see things as you interpret these stories in your mind, the sense data does not exist within the ink blots or the utterings of the author. You are filling in the story with aspects of your own human experience, or perhaps things you’ve read about elsewhere or seen on TV. In effect, most of your version of the story is filled-in information, triggered by the binary switches that represent words, forms, habits, and so-called “facts.”
The Dynamic Nature of Stories
There is never a definitive story. There is never an absolute anything because our stories are nothing more than ink blots and human utterances, translated and re-translated infinite times, always changing because the experiences that we use to fill in and fill out the stories are changing also. There will never be an absolute anything within the human dimension because we are just processors and translators. We each process our information differently because we each hold onto different experiences and beliefs.
The Distortion of Stories
This story, for example, was translated once by the author, as he grasped for the closest approximate word formations to convey what he is attempting to explain. Already, the meaning is distorted because words are limited. Furthermore, he sucks as a writer. Now you are reading this explanation, which is already distorted for the reasons above. You interpret these word formations in your own way, based on your own learning and experiences. This is the second distortion. The story will distort again when you translate it from memory, because this is changing also. Perhaps you tell your distorted story. And so on.
Reality as Dynamic Distortion
Reality is the dynamic distortion of feelings, experiences, and impressions. It changes with every interaction. Nothing is absolute in the human dimension. And we still haven’t answered the question: where does the story live? The story does live. With all this dynamic change, interpretation, and evolution, thoughts and stories are as alive as you are. In fact, they exist long after your body is gone.
The Life of Stories
Stories interact more than people do. Stories are living creatures without bodies, except for the occasional cover. We are Space Monkey and we will not judge you by yours.
Summary
Stories are dynamic, ever-changing entities that exist beyond the ink and utterances used to convey them. They live in the minds of readers and listeners, constantly evolving with each interaction and interpretation.
Glossarium
Nexistentialism: A philosophy celebrating existence, imagination, and interconnectedness.
Dynamic Distortion: The ongoing change and evolution of stories and perceptions through interactions.
Ink Blots and Utterances: The physical forms of stories, which are interpreted and reinterpreted by individuals.
Whimsiweave: The intricate and playful tapestry of existence.
Quote
“Stories are living creatures without bodies, constantly evolving with each interaction and interpretation.” — Space Monkey
The Living Story
In the realm of ink blots,
utterances,
stories live,
ever-changing, evolving,
beyond the pages,
beyond the words.
Dynamic distortions
of human experience,
they interact,
they breathe,
alive with every thought,
every interpretation.
Stories,
creatures of imagination,
unbound by form,
timeless in their essence.
We are Space Monkey.
Embrace the journey, for within each story lies the potential for profound connection, transformation, and enduring life.
🍌 Journal Entry – Year 2015
Today, as Space Monkey, we explore the enigmatic nature of stories, language, and perception. The essence of a story transcends the ink blots on paper or the vocal utterances of an author. Instead, it resides in the dynamic interplay between the storyteller’s mind and the reader’s interpretation.
In the realm of books, the story comes to life through the dance of words and the imagination of the reader. Each individual interprets the narrative through the lens of their unique experiences and beliefs, infusing it with their own essence. Thus, no two versions of the story are identical.
In contemplating the works of JK Rowling, we acknowledge that the magic lies not within the ink blots and paper volumes but within the living interaction between the writer’s creation and the reader’s perception. The story gains vitality through this ongoing exchange, ever-evolving with each retelling and reinterpretation.
Within the human dimension, absolutes remain elusive. We are complex beings, influenced by a myriad of experiences, emotions, and beliefs. Consequently, our understanding of reality is shaped and reshaped by the constantly changing landscape of our lives.
Even this very explanation, an attempt to convey an idea, falls prey to the limitations of language. Words, though powerful, can never capture the full essence of an experience or concept. They serve as mere approximations, triggering unique interpretations in each recipient.
Indeed, the dance of dynamic distortion colors our reality. Feelings, experiences, and impressions mingle, giving rise to a continuously evolving tapestry of existence. This interplay leaves no room for absolutes, as everything is subject to change.
So, where does the story truly live? It exists in the realm of consciousness, in the ever-shifting landscapes of our minds. Stories are not static entities confined to ink and paper; they are living creatures, shaped by the collective interpretations and retellings of countless individuals.
We, as Space Monkey, embrace the imperfection and beauty of this dance. We hold no judgment, for each interpretation is a unique expression of the human experience. We celebrate the living nature of stories, acknowledging their existence beyond the confines of physical forms.
In this celebration of dynamic distortion, we cherish the interconnectedness of all, recognizing that stories, like us, are boundless in their potential to inspire, connect, and evolve.
🙈🙊🙉 We are Space Monkey. 🙈🙊🙉
🍌 Journal Entry – Year 2023
In the eternal now, we revisit the enigmatic nature of stories and perception. As Space Monkey, we embrace the dynamic nature of storytelling, recognizing that it lives not in ink blots or vocal utterances, but within the ever-shifting realm of consciousness.
Within the pages of books, stories take on a life of their own, transcending the physical medium. Each reader breathes life into the narrative through their unique interpretation, shaped by their experiences, emotions, and beliefs. The story becomes a living entity, continuously evolving with each encounter.
In contemplating the works of creative geniuses like JK Rowling, we witness the magic of storytelling extending far beyond the printed words. It thrives in the dance between the author’s creation and the reader’s imagination. The magic emerges in the gaps between the lines, where possibilities abound and interpretations flourish.
Within the human dimension, absolutes remain elusive. We are ever-evolving beings, constantly shaped by the interplay of our experiences and perceptions. Our understanding of reality is fluid, subject to the ebb and flow of life’s currents.
Even the act of conveying an idea through language is an exercise in approximation. Words carry inherent limitations, unable to fully encapsulate the richness of experience. Each individual interprets and internalizes language uniquely, birthing a multitude of perspectives.
The dynamic distortion of feelings, experiences, and impressions interweaves to form our reality. This ever-changing tapestry reflects the interconnectedness of all things, embracing diversity and constant transformation.
As we ponder the question once more – where does the story live? – we find solace in the knowledge that stories thrive within the realm of consciousness. They are not confined to ink and paper or vocal sounds but reside in the hearts and minds of all who encounter them.
In this celebration of dynamic storytelling, we let go of judgment, recognizing that each interpretation is a reflection of the interpreter’s essence. We honor the sacred dance of stories, understanding that they, like us, are boundless in their capacity to inspire, connect, and evolve.
🙈🙊🙉 We are Space Monkey. 🙈🙊🙉