The Care and Repair of Public Myth - Martians Need Myths Too

Scott G. Beach · 2004-02-09 19:33:09

In an article titled The Care and Repair of Public Myth (Foreign Affairs, Fall 1982, vol. 61, no. 1), William H. McNeill wrote, "A people without a full quiver of relevant agreed-upon statements, accepted in advance through education or less formalized acculturation, soon finds itself in deep trouble, for, in the absence of believable myths, coherent public policy becomes very difficult to improvise or sustain." I agree with McNeill's assertion and that is why I have invested considerable effort in creating a Phi-based aesthetic tradition for The City of Euthenia.

Today I posted on the Internet a "Golden Conjecture" about a Phi-based triangle. See http://www.geocities.com/scott956282743/exhibit9.htm . I tried for many hours to prove that conjecture and I could not find a way to do so. At this point, I am just taking it on faith. When I draw it very carefully and exactly, I comes out perfect.

It might be appropriate that my Golden Conjecture cannot be proved because, if it has to be taken on faith, that would support using Phi as a supplement to the various religious traditions in The City of Euthenia. My hope is that those Euthenians who are inclined to believe in supernatural beings will refer to the Golden Ratio as the "Divine Proportion" and that the Divine Proportion will then function as a bridge between the many different religious traditions in Euthenia. In that role, the Divine Proportion could help to provide a foundation for understanding, cooperation, and sustainable public policy.

P.S. I did not include this fact in my Golden Conjecture but I think that it is interesting to note that my Phi-based triangle has two sides that are in Golden Ratio to each other. I used a ratio and proportion calculation to find that Phi is to 1 as the square root of Phi is to the reciprocal of the square root of Phi.

clark · 2004-02-10 06:24:13

When I think Myth, I think Greek gods. I think of Paul Bunyon, Johnny Appleseed, or Davie Crocket. I think of stories.

There is a story behind the name of every myth. How did it become a myth? What does the myth teach us? How does the myth explain how the world works in any appreciable way?

War of the Worlds is a myth. But first it was a story.

What is the myth of Phi?

Scott G. Beach · 2004-02-11 18:48:59

Clark:

You asked, "What is the myth of Phi?" If Phi and its history were taught in the schools of the City of Euthenia then some students would probably decide, as a purely personal matter, to conclude that their god(s) and/or goddess(es) did use Phi, a.k.a. the "Divine Proportion," in the design and creation of the universe. If those students have children of their own and then tell those children that supernatural beings did use Phi in the design and creation of the universe then Phi will probably become part of the mythos of those children. This is one of the ways by which religious traditions evolve.

Gennaro · 2004-02-20 10:28:28

You don't need gods to have myths.
And what use would Marsians have for belief in 'creators', phi or no phi? The Occident hasn't believed in God for 200 years (he finally passed away about 1880) and it seems to be doing okay.

A.J.Armitage · 2004-02-22 21:27:42

Scott;

Considering that no one will ever take you seriously, you wasted all the time you spent "creating" an "aesthetic tradition".

Furthermore, every idea of yours I've ever seen is unspeakably stupid.

Gennaro;

:laugh:

Don't get out much, do you?

Hazer · 2004-02-23 01:40:19

I think Scott is smart in that he recognizes the power of traditions, and the need to maintain them. Sure, the Golden ratio could be a possible ideology to base a society on, but...

Scott's Golden Conjecture About Beach's Phi-based Triangle
In triangle SGB, if the length of side SG is equal to the reciprocal of the square root of Phi, and if the length of side GB is equal to the square root of Phi, and if the length of side SB is equal to Phi, then a line that bisects angle SGB will intersect side SB and will, at the point of intersection (designated point I), divide side SB into the Golden Ratio. Furthermore, the length of line GI will be equal to the reciprocal of Phi and triangle GIB will be similar to triangle SGB.

Scott, I simply don't think you could inspire people with this. It's a nice set of coincidences though. Now if for instance, you were to somehow go to Mars and "tame" it (Figure out how to live productively and be self-sustaining), then I think you would have a much better myth. Then, you might be able to incorporate Phi into the saga of Scott, First Lord of Euthenia.

clark · 2004-02-23 14:08:19

A.J.;

I have to hand it to you. I've seen my share of damaged people on the internet. But you A.J., you are truly one screwed up individual.

I just wonder where you picked up your wonderful social skills; your parents, or your religion.

Either way, I'm thankful I haven't been exsposed to whatever it is that makes you like this. Get some help, or up the dose of whatever medication you're on.

Just some friendly advice.

Palomar · 2004-02-23 16:32:08

A.J.;
I have to hand it to you. I've seen my share of damaged people on the internet. But you A.J., you are truly one screwed up individual.
I just wonder where you picked up your wonderful social skills; your parents, or your religion.
Either way, I'm thankful I haven't been exsposed to whatever it is that makes you like this. Get some help, or up the dose of whatever medication you're on.
Just some friendly advice.

*My goodness.

Talk about 2nd-class citizen attitudes...

--Cindy

A.J.Armitage · 2004-02-23 19:28:55

Apparently healthy, normal individuals get off on advocating the destruction of whole cities by asphyxiation.

Josh Cryer · 2004-02-24 02:15:48

::shakes his head::

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Re: The Care and Repair of Public Myth - Martians Need Myths Too

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