A Thousand Years of Nonlinear History
Encyclopedia
A Thousand Years of Nonlinear History (hereafter known as ATYNH) is a 1997
book by Manuel De Landa
. The book forms part of DeLanda's ongoing project of applying dynamical systems theory
and the like to such diverse fields as history, analytical science and realist philosophy
, challenging prevailing paradigms in each instance. Specifically, ATYNH offers a novel neo-Cartesian
reading of history which sees the evolution and interplay of complex systems
(geological, economic and linguistic) as primary, and opposes naive teleological
notions of anthropocentric progress, to paraphrase the author.
The book chooses an arbitrary starting date, 1000CE, and plots the fluctuations, bifurcation
s and extinctions of various heterogeneous or homogenous aggregates of 'matter' (the author uses the word 'matter' to describe the elements of any accumulation of geological, economic and linguistic content) from this point until 2000CE. One of the central points of ATYNH is that the patterns of behaviour inherent in the study of complex systems (eg. strange attractors, emergent properties) are found in all these domains of 'matter', informing a view of the world as a dynamic, highly interconnected bricolage
of self-adaptive, amorphous systems composed of morphogenetically potent matter.
In summary, ATYNH conceives of a world of infinite variation, one which is immanent, both hierarchical as well as non-hierarchical and a "mesh work" of linear and non-linear progressions, and thus one which can be most accurately modeled using the tools provided by complex systems, emergence theory and other related fields of study.
De Landa's later book, Intensive Science and Virtual Philosophy
, sees all phenomena in the abovementioned domains as 'emerging from' a core set of abstract (yet real) dynamic systems which are themselves multiplicitous and in constant flux.
Both books are also useful for the way they elucidate some of Deleuze's notoriously difficult ideas and neologisms, including the body without organs, smooth and striated space, the plane of consistency, assemblages and abstract machines.
1997 in literature
The year 1997 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*Tom Clancy signs a book deal with Pearson Custom Publishing and Penguin Putnam Inc. , giving him US$50 million for the world-English rights to two new books . A second agreement gives him another US$25 million for a...
book by Manuel De Landa
Manuel de Landa
Manuel De Landa, , is a writer, artist and philosopher who has lived in New York since 1975. He is presently the Gilles Deleuze Chair of Contemporary Philosophy and Science at the European Graduate School in Saas-Fee, Switzerland; a lecturer at the Canisius College in Buffalo, New York; a lecturer...
. The book forms part of DeLanda's ongoing project of applying dynamical systems theory
Dynamical system
A dynamical system is a concept in mathematics where a fixed rule describes the time dependence of a point in a geometrical space. Examples include the mathematical models that describe the swinging of a clock pendulum, the flow of water in a pipe, and the number of fish each springtime in a...
and the like to such diverse fields as history, analytical science and realist philosophy
Philosophical realism
Contemporary philosophical realism is the belief that our reality, or some aspect of it, is ontologically independent of our conceptual schemes, linguistic practices, beliefs, etc....
, challenging prevailing paradigms in each instance. Specifically, ATYNH offers a novel neo-Cartesian
Gilles Deleuze
Gilles Deleuze , was a French philosopher who, from the early 1960s until his death, wrote influentially on philosophy, literature, film, and fine art. His most popular works were the two volumes of Capitalism and Schizophrenia: Anti-Oedipus and A Thousand Plateaus , both co-written with Félix...
reading of history which sees the evolution and interplay of complex systems
Complex systems
Complex systems present problems in mathematical modelling.The equations from which complex system models are developed generally derive from statistical physics, information theory and non-linear dynamics, and represent organized but unpredictable behaviors of systems of nature that are considered...
(geological, economic and linguistic) as primary, and opposes naive teleological
Teleology
A teleology is any philosophical account which holds that final causes exist in nature, meaning that design and purpose analogous to that found in human actions are inherent also in the rest of nature. The word comes from the Greek τέλος, telos; root: τελε-, "end, purpose...
notions of anthropocentric progress, to paraphrase the author.
The book chooses an arbitrary starting date, 1000CE, and plots the fluctuations, bifurcation
Bifurcation
Bifurcation means the splitting of a main body into two parts.Bifurcation or Bifurcated may refer to:*Bifurcation , the division of issues in a trial for example the division of a page into two parts....
s and extinctions of various heterogeneous or homogenous aggregates of 'matter' (the author uses the word 'matter' to describe the elements of any accumulation of geological, economic and linguistic content) from this point until 2000CE. One of the central points of ATYNH is that the patterns of behaviour inherent in the study of complex systems (eg. strange attractors, emergent properties) are found in all these domains of 'matter', informing a view of the world as a dynamic, highly interconnected bricolage
Bricolage
Bricolage is a term used in several disciplines, among them the visual arts, to refer to the construction or creation of a work from a diverse range of things that happen to be available, or a work created by such a process...
of self-adaptive, amorphous systems composed of morphogenetically potent matter.
In summary, ATYNH conceives of a world of infinite variation, one which is immanent, both hierarchical as well as non-hierarchical and a "mesh work" of linear and non-linear progressions, and thus one which can be most accurately modeled using the tools provided by complex systems, emergence theory and other related fields of study.
De Landa's later book, Intensive Science and Virtual Philosophy
Intensive Science and Virtual Philosophy
Intensive Science and Virtual Philosophy is a 2002 book by Manuel De Landa.In De Landa's words, the book seeks to present the process-based realist philosophy of Gilles Deleuze to an audience of analytical philosophers of science and scientists with an interest in philosophical questions...
, sees all phenomena in the abovementioned domains as 'emerging from' a core set of abstract (yet real) dynamic systems which are themselves multiplicitous and in constant flux.
Both books are also useful for the way they elucidate some of Deleuze's notoriously difficult ideas and neologisms, including the body without organs, smooth and striated space, the plane of consistency, assemblages and abstract machines.