Dear Noel Eberz,
Like you, I count Eric Hoffer, Popper, and Prigogene as influential. If I understand you, you don't think much of the idea that the universe is "just mathematics". There many here who are with you on that one.
You've done a nice job with the Universe, the Abstract, and the Mind (ourselves) and I agree the first two are independent of each other. But you then say the Abstract exists without Mind. This sounds Platonic. Is that what you mean? Do you see this triad as three equal realities? I tend to see it all as one reality self-evolving and self-informing, that as you say 'possibly exploded' into existence. I treated this in an earlier essay.
You say Copernicus "was not allowed to disturb the prevalent image in the consensual mind's eye." It's still tough! You advise young physicists to 'think softly' until they can freely express their thoughts, because there are still those who can do them harm.
As there are more novel ideas than correct novel ideas, this defensive posture is a social survival mechanism; if mankind chased every new idea equally, some of them would lead over a cliff.
This is the rationale for FQXi, a safe box in which to play with new ideas which, for the most part are not taken seriously by the powers that be. It's a pretty good system, albeit frustrating at times.
Welcome to FQXi, and good luck in the contest.
Edwin Eugene Klingman
