Why does magic happen at intersections?
Intersections are places of possibilities. Whether it is the crossover of ice-cream and fries, art and science, or life and death, something special happens at the overlap — but why is that so?
The world in venn was founded to investigate what happens at intersections, for instance what happens when two colours overlap? Because it is a fundamental assumption of all our enquiries, that overlapping two entities constructs a new outcome — it is crucial we examine the basis of this assumption.
We begin by using mathematics to streamline our framework. In this example, intersections are analogous to multiplication, and show how interactions produce extra new possibilities.
Addition: 4 + 6 = 10 [refers to the standard units from adding two things that do not interact]
Multiplication: 4 x 6 = 24 [refers to the possibilities created by two things that interact]
Multiplication - Addition = 24 - 10 = 14 [refers to the extra possibilities created through interactions as opposed to non-interactions]
The intersection of sweet and salty as with ice-cream and french fries offers a more visceral understanding. Salt enhances the sugar sensation in a unique interplay known as flavour layering. When two flavours such as sugar and salt and intersected, new dimensions of taste are created.
In a more interdisciplinary manner, artist Tómas Saraceno’s 3D Spider Web Scan showcases possibilities from the intersection of art and science. To extend the frontier of his spider art, Tómas developed a new technique of scanning spider webs which advanced scientific data on spiders and the appreciation of their artistry.
The poet Jee Leong Koh’s ‘To a Young Poet (on Singapore’s 51st Birthday)’ intersects worlds through words. In ‘Always kiss goodbye on the lips’ he layers the notions of leaving a country with kissing goodbye on the lips. The collision of these worlds overlaps metaphor upon experience; familiar sensations upon unfamiliar territories — creating a richer, multi-dimensional immersion.
Intersections are where ideas are cross-pollinated to create new possibilities and whole new worlds. But why do they work? Why should two or more different things interact to produce an outcome? Because that is the nature of our universe — our world is made of building blocks where bits and pieces are combined in various permutations to form more complex things. At times, elements interact for compounded complexity — the way atoms interact to create molecules, and so a new dimension of possibilities.
For a molecule to exist, atoms have to stick together. This happens when two atoms share electrons. Instead of circling just one atom, the electron now circles around two. This is called bonding. — Wikipedia
Such is the nature of our world where complexity is compounded layer upon layer. When this complexity results in the formation of humans, we have arrived at the realm of intersecting ideas. We are able to intermingle numbers, ideas, or wholly different worlds, simply because these notions all reside in our minds. Where they are housed under one roof, our brain is able to link vastly different concepts, and birth the new. If we choose to communicate these new thoughts with others, they then become inputs into new minds where the interplay ensues.
Now that we understand how intersections produce possibilities, why then should that be the case? We could either say that this is just the nature of the universe — and if that wasn’t the case, we wouldn’t be here to ponder this. We could choose to do nothing and possibilities will unfold, unrelentless, unstoppable. Or we could say intersections produce possibilities because the universe wants to learn through possibilities. If so we could choose to embrace the very quality of intersections — to explore, experiment and live life to the fullest — knowing we have maximised our possibilities.
Our minds are an extension of possibilities from before — are we then as conscious beings responsible toward future intersections and possibilities? By design people are creative and will continue to interact but should more be done to encourage intersections? And if so where can we best intersect, wherein does the magic lie?
