Extraordinariation

The other half of the central Potentialism formula is Extraordinariation, which we commonly shorthand to E+. Unlike Q4P, E+ is less a universal force and more a universal law. Whereas Q4P is the universal fuel for cosmic evolution, E+ gives guidance for how that fuel is spent.

It is sometimes helpful to think of E+ as a sort of cosmic destination. It informs the direction in which Q4P drives the universe. E+ is a sort of cosmic end goal if you will. I am greatly oversimplifying this initially, and we’ll certainly go into a greater understanding of E+ in future chapters. For now, though, I’ll keep to an overall, abstract description of E+.

If considering such metaphysical ideas isn’t in your comfort zone, again, let’s start with a more physical description for now. In our earlier ball example, our infinitely high hill represented Q4P. Now imagine an infinitely deep low end of that hill with a road running down it. The ball, when released, doesn't have to think about where to go. The road is a natural guide, and gravity makes sure the ball is naturally guided in the direction to release its energy – towards that infinitely far away endpoint.

Now, remember, we make such physical examples only for reference, and the comparison is imperfect. E+ is not just the 22

endpoint at the end of our infinitely deep road; it is also gravity and the road itself. E+ both provides the rules for which Q4P operates as well as gives it direction. We’ll have to move away from our simple ball analogy to discuss exactly what E+ is. By Birnbaum’s definition,

Extraordinariation, or E+, is at the other end of the SuperFormula. While Q4P provides the limitless energy, E+ provides purpose and a destination for Q4P. E+ is both a physical and metaphysical concept.

It is the perfection of hyper-complexity in all ways. It is perfection. What hyper-complexity actually looks like is anyone’s guess. It would be like trying to describe a 4dimensional ball. I could impart an imperfect mathematical understanding of its properties, but I could never describe it in a way that brain, which processes in 4 dimensions, could ever truly picture.

Fortunately, we don’t have to be able to fully visualize or understand it to use it or see its workings in day-to-day

23

existence. It is simply the force in nature that pulls everything by its bootstraps towards a more complex existence.

It is important to note that Birnbaum describes E+ in a metaphysical sense. As always, when working with metaphysics, it is not enough to describe something just as a physical presence in the universe. It must also be described how it interacts and shapes parts of the universe that are nontangible.

Thus, we must think beyond what the perfect star, the perfect galaxy, or the perfect human is. E+ also represents the perfection and ultimate complexity of ideas, emotions, and thought.

Yes, this is the part that makes conventional scientist squeamish. But this is why cosmology belongs in philosophy and not physics. I cannot stress enough that if you’re only talking about the physical universe, you’re not talking about the whole of it.

If I were to describe a symphony by Beethoven by giving you sheets of paper with the notes and timing, would you experience the whole of that score of music? The answer is absurdly obvious – no. To hear it played is to know, experience and understand something that has no physical form. Yet, we

24

can all discuss and talk about it which makes it a very real thing despite its lack of a physical body.

Thus E+ is the ultimate end-goal of all that is, was, or will be.Q4P and E+ are metaphysically linked together in their necessary push pull of a cosmic dance.

Q4P → E+

And

E+ → Q4P

25