Communication Beyond Division
Language is our first lens on reality, but it can also be our greatest distortion. In his Talking Sense lectures, Irving J. Lee shows how Alfred Korzybski’s General Semantics trains us to see beyond words, reminding us that “the map is not the territory.” His insights reveal how labels, categories, and dogmas often obscure the living complexity of the world.
The Fractal Universe framework extends this discipline into a cosmology of Being and Becoming. Just as General Semantics teaches us to recognize abstraction levels and remain open-minded, fractal geometry shows us that truth unfolds recursively—each scale both partial and connected, each pattern nested within a larger whole. Where Lee urges us to revise our habits of evaluation, the fractal ethic invites us to align with unity rather than division, coherence rather than fragmentation.
Together, these perspectives illuminate a path:
- Unity in Truth → Communication fosters cooperation; tensegrity shows how parts hold together in balance.
- Beyond Labels → Words are maps; fractals reveal the terrain beneath.
- Open-Mindedness → Abstraction is infinite; wonder keeps us flexible.
By practicing General Semantics, we sharpen our awareness of how language shapes thought. This better enables us to see through the fractal universe lens. With an open mind and a focus on truth over dogma, we discover that reality itself is patterned, recursive, and alive. These six lectures by Irving J. Lee are not only historical treasures—they are gateways into a deeper practice of clarity, coherence, and becoming.
I invite you to watch these eye-opening videos. You may be surprised by the assumptions we often make when we communicate. Awareness of these habits can help eliminate confusion and conflict.
Video #1: “Just What Is General Semantics?”
Words vs. Reality: Words are not the things they represent. Confusing the two leads to distortion.
Video #2: “Do You Know How to Make a Statement of Fact?”
Abstraction Levels: We constantly abstract from reality; awareness of this process helps us avoid dogma.
Video #3: “Why Do People Misunderstand Each Other?”
Open-Mindedness: General Semantics encourages flexibility, curiosity, and resistance to rigid categories.
Video #4: “What Is a Good Observer?”
Evaluation Habits: Our judgments are shaped by language; revising these habits can bring us closer to truth.
Video #5: “On the Differences Between Words and Things”
Unity in Communication: Clearer language fosters cooperation rather than division.
Video #6: “The Man Who Knows It All”
Practical Application: General Semantics is not abstract theory—it’s a method for everyday clarity and sanity.