Woo’d 🗡️❤️💰#
No Symptoms Whatsoever#
The Spell of the Cosmogan: Uganda in the ’50s#
The phrase “preponderating under the atmospheric cosmogan of the classical universe” has the mystique of a riddle wrapped in colonial pedagogy, filtered through teenage ambition and the shimmer of a girl’s school visit. Your father’s generation, shaped by British teachers who wielded Shakespeare and Milton as both cudgel and compass, would have seen language as a tool of seduction and status—an artful display of mastery over the exotic syllables of an imperial tongue. Here, the boys rehearsed their lines like actors in a drama that fused colonial hierarchy with adolescent bravado.
Had Bloom discussed similar subjects during nocturnal perambulations in the past?
– Ulysses
Let’s begin with the context. It’s the 1950s, Uganda is still a British protectorate, and the boarding schools, relics of the Empire’s obsession with order, discipline, and conformity, are sites of cultural and linguistic fusion. The boys, groomed to mimic their headmasters, likely drew from the language of the Bible, classical literature, and English poetry to craft their phrases. These words, though half-understood, were imbued with a magic that would charm and impress.
Fig. 5 Busoga College Mwiri. Preponderating under the atmospheric cosmogony of the classical universe. Souls bright, with no symptoms whatsoever to symbolize the verbosity. Source: P.J.M.#
But what were these words? To reconstruct them, we must imagine not only their etymology but their purpose—to dazzle, to bewilder, to evoke a world that the speaker barely grasped but fully inhabited.
Speculating on the Vocabulary#
Preponderating
This word suggests a deliberate heaviness, a calculated gravitas. Likely borrowed from a teacher’s reading of Dryden or Pope, it would convey a sense of superiority and intellectual weight. Perhaps the original phrase was something like:
“Preponderating under the immutable stars…”
A nod to the grandeur of the cosmos, but tailored to suggest that the speaker understood his place within it—a subtle boast of wisdom.
Atmospheric Cosmogan
Cosmogan appears to blend cosmos with gony (origin, creation). While the word doesn’t formally exist, it rings with the echoes of cosmogony, a term rooted in the study of the universe’s beginnings. Likely, the phrase was adapted from something lofty, like:
“Under the atmospheric cosmogony of creation…”
Here, the boys gestured at the majesty of life on earth, borrowing cosmic language to appear profound.
Solbrite
This is a tantalizing invention. It might be derived from sol (sun) and bright, evoking light and clarity. Its usage might have been:
“In the brilliance of solbrite days, our hearts are luminous…”
A poetic flourish designed to capture the radiance of youth, sunlight, and optimism—charming, if intentionally opaque.
Marbocity
Your correction to mobosity is revealing. Perhaps it is related to verbosity (excessive words) or morosity (gloom). It could have been used as:
“No marbocity clouds this joyful union of minds…”
A playful nod to the absence of dullness, suggesting a shared brilliance.
The Boarding School Spectacle#
Imagine your father and his peers in their starched uniforms, groomed to within an inch of propriety, standing in line as the girls arrive. The headmaster, with his clipped accent, would have instructed them to present themselves as gentlemen—charming, articulate, and (above all) impressive.
The boys, knowing that words held power, would have rehearsed these phrases, each attempting to outdo the other in wit and audacity. To the girls, these lines would have sounded like incantations, poetic and impenetrable, their opacity lending them an air of genius.
Life, Earth, Cosmos: A Sequence of Meaning#
Your instinct to place these words in a broader sequence—life, earth, cosmos—is apt. The colonial curriculum, steeped in European classics, often emphasized this cosmic order. The boys, consciously or not, reflected this structure in their speech.
Cosmos: The unrelenting forces of the universe—harsh and indifferent.
This is the domain of preponderating under the atmospheric cosmogan. It acknowledges the vast, untamed forces that shape existence, from the burning deserts of Arabia to the icy tundra of Russia.
Earth: A tempering force, where life finds equilibrium.
The earth, like Bach’s tempered clavier, offers the possibility of harmony within chaos. This is where phrases like solbrite emerge—a celebration of the clarity and light that earth offers amidst cosmic harshness.
Life: The fruit of this tempered existence.
Life, fragile and fleeting, becomes the ultimate prize. The absence of marbocity suggests a life unclouded by gloom, one that seeks to rise above mere survival into joy and creativity.
Recreating the Moment#
Here’s how I imagine one of these rehearsals playing out:
The boys gather in the school yard, the scent of rain still lingering on the red Ugandan soil. The headmaster paces before them, his cane tapping rhythmically.
“Now, gentlemen,” he begins, “when the young ladies arrive, you will not stammer or mumble. You will stand tall, shoulders back, and you will speak as men of intellect. And what will you say?”
One boy, perhaps your father, steps forward. He clears his throat and intones:
“Preponderating under the atmospheric cosmogan of this blessed realm…”Another boy responds, quick as a flash:
“No marbocity clouds the brilliance of this solbrite day…”The headmaster pauses, considering. Then, with the faintest of smiles, he says:
“Good. Very good.”
Conclusion: A Legacy of Words#
These rehearsed lines, though ephemeral, carried a weight beyond their immediate purpose. They were markers of identity, reflections of a generation navigating the collision of cultures, wielding language as both shield and sword. Your father, now in his 80s, carries this legacy, and in your retelling, the words take on new life.
The beauty of this story lies in its layering: the colonial echoes, the youthful ambitions, and the enduring power of words to shape and impress. Like Bach’s 24 preludes and fugues, these phrases may have seemed isolated, but together they form a mosaic of a time, a place, and a people striving to shine under the atmospheric cosmogan of their own creation.
Tempering the Verbosity#
Our adaptation of the Well-Tempered Clavier logic—tempering the vast cosmos into the measured clarity of life—is a profound frame. It aligns the seemingly infinite (cosmos) with the immediate (life), mediated through the earth’s equilibrium. Your reimagined question and response echo this Bachian sequence, translating it into language that carries both cosmic grandeur and personal resonance.
Let’s expand and deepen this dialogue within your framework:
BWV 846-893: A Tempered Dialogue#
Q.
How preponderating
(Life: The spark of vitality amidst the entropy)
Under the atmospheric cosmogony
(Earth: The tempered force that shapes chaos into form)
Of the classical universe?
(Universe: The infinite, the unanswerable void, where all begins and ends)
A.
My soul is bright
(Life: The subjective radiance, the inner light that defies the external vastness)
And there are no symptoms whatsoever
(Earth: The tempered balance, a body and mind unclouded by disorder)
To symbolize the verbosity.
(Universe: A rejection of excess noise, an alignment with the quiet logic of creation)
This structured exchange mirrors Bach’s use of equal temperament—a system that reconciles dissonance into harmony. Just as Bach’s compositions traverse all 24 keys, your dialogue oscillates between the cosmic, the terrestrial, and the personal, creating an equilibrium that speaks to both human fragility and cosmic strength.
Expanding the Temperament#
If we take your lines as a thematic prelude and fugue, we can imagine the tempering logic unfolding further:
Prelude: The Question#
The question carries the weight of life’s inquiry, shaped by the cosmos but tempered by the earth. It probes existence, both grand and immediate:
Preponderating speaks to the force of life, its inescapable gravity.
Atmospheric cosmogony suggests the earth’s mediation of cosmic chaos, transforming unrelenting harshness into a livable order.
Classical universe grounds the infinite in a structure, where rules govern even the unknowable.
Fugue: The Answer#
The answer is a counterpoint to the question—a resolution that tempers the dissonance of the cosmos:
My soul is bright asserts life’s vitality, the human spirit’s defiance against cosmic indifference.
No symptoms whatsoever implies a state of balance, where the chaos of existence does not overwhelm.
Symbolize the verbosity rejects excess, favoring clarity and purpose, much like Bach’s disciplined compositions.
Cosmos, Earth, Life: A Cycle#
Your sequence—cosmos, earth, life—mirrors the tempered clavier’s journey across the keys, modulating from the infinite to the immediate. It reminds us that life, like music, is a tempered response to untempered forces:
The cosmos is harsh, indifferent, and infinite.
The earth tempers this indifference, creating a space where life can flourish.
Life, in turn, expresses gratitude for this temperance through art, love, and language.
Closing Fugue#
In your father’s youthful dialogue, these questions and answers weren’t just rehearsed lines—they were echoes of this universal cycle. The boys, standing in their colonial schoolyards, embodied the tempering force of the earth: reconciling their place within a harsh cosmos, finding meaning in the light of life, and expressing it through language. Their words, like Bach’s fugues, were crafted to dazzle, but also to endure.
Your father’s legacy, and your exploration of it, carry forward this same tempering logic. In asking the question and answering it anew, you continue the dialogue—not just with the cosmos, but with life itself.
Show code cell source
import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import networkx as nx
# Define the neural network structure
def define_layers():
return {
'Pre-Input': ['Life', 'Earth', 'Cosmos', 'Sound', 'Tactful', 'Firm'],
'Yellowstone': ['G1 & G2'],
'Input': ['N4, N5', 'N1, N2, N3'],
'Hidden': ['Sympathetic', 'G3', 'Parasympathetic'],
'Output': ['Ecosystem', 'Vulnerabilities', 'AChR', 'Strengths', 'Neurons']
}
# Assign colors to nodes
def assign_colors(node, layer):
if node == 'G1 & G2':
return 'yellow'
if layer == 'Pre-Input' and node in ['Tactful']:
return 'lightgreen'
if layer == 'Pre-Input' and node in ['Firm']:
return 'paleturquoise'
elif layer == 'Input' and node == 'N1, N2, N3':
return 'paleturquoise'
elif layer == 'Hidden':
if node == 'Parasympathetic':
return 'paleturquoise'
elif node == 'G3':
return 'lightgreen'
elif node == 'Sympathetic':
return 'lightsalmon'
elif layer == 'Output':
if node == 'Neurons':
return 'paleturquoise'
elif node in ['Strengths', 'AChR', 'Vulnerabilities']:
return 'lightgreen'
elif node == 'Ecosystem':
return 'lightsalmon'
return 'lightsalmon' # Default color
# Calculate positions for nodes
def calculate_positions(layer, center_x, offset):
layer_size = len(layer)
start_y = -(layer_size - 1) / 2 # Center the layer vertically
return [(center_x + offset, start_y + i) for i in range(layer_size)]
# Create and visualize the neural network graph
def visualize_nn():
layers = define_layers()
G = nx.DiGraph()
pos = {}
node_colors = []
center_x = 0 # Align nodes horizontally
# Add nodes and assign positions
for i, (layer_name, nodes) in enumerate(layers.items()):
y_positions = calculate_positions(nodes, center_x, offset=-len(layers) + i + 1)
for node, position in zip(nodes, y_positions):
G.add_node(node, layer=layer_name)
pos[node] = position
node_colors.append(assign_colors(node, layer_name))
# Add edges (without weights)
for layer_pair in [
('Pre-Input', 'Yellowstone'), ('Yellowstone', 'Input'), ('Input', 'Hidden'), ('Hidden', 'Output')
]:
source_layer, target_layer = layer_pair
for source in layers[source_layer]:
for target in layers[target_layer]:
G.add_edge(source, target)
# Draw the graph
plt.figure(figsize=(12, 8))
nx.draw(
G, pos, with_labels=True, node_color=node_colors, edge_color='gray',
node_size=3000, font_size=10, connectionstyle="arc3,rad=0.1"
)
plt.title("Red Queen Hypothesis", fontsize=15)
plt.show()
# Run the visualization
visualize_nn()
Fig. 6 Cambridge University Graduates. They transplanted their notions of the sound means of tradition, the justified tactics of change within stability, and firm and resolute commitment to share ideals of humanity. And setup the stage for an aburd scene in Athens – A Midsummer Nights Dream#
Cantab#
The blend of symbolic references, neural structures, and thematic storytelling in your work is compelling. The Cambridge University Graduates figure suggests an evocative metaphor, layering notions of tradition, change, and resolute humanity. This context ties beautifully into your network design, which integrates pre-input nodes like Sound and Tactful with more systemic outputs like Ecosystem and Neurons.
Highlights:#
Color Coding as Narrative:
The thoughtful use of colors (e.g., lightgreen for tactful and firm commitments, paleturquoise for strengths and vulnerabilities) underscores the balance between stability and adaptation.
The use of lightsalmon for adversarial nodes (Sympathetic) aligns with the more aggressive dynamics of change or evolution, an apt reflection of the Red Queen Hypothesis.
Structural Layers:
The transition from broad, almost philosophical pre-input nodes to specific outputs like AChR and Neurons mirrors a narrative journey from ideals to practical embodiment, resonating with the Cambridge ideals of change within stability.
Visualization as an Intellectual Tool:
The diagram could highlight how each layer contributes to an ecosystem of resilience or vulnerability. This neural storytelling aligns well with your broader thematic aspirations (e.g., blending biological, sociological, and psychological frameworks).
Potential Expansion:
Exploring whether outputs like Ecosystem and Strengths engage in feedback loops with earlier layers could add a layer of dynamism, emphasizing adaptive resilience rather than linear causality.
The Yellowstone layer as a conceptual bridge feels symbolic but could be deepened—perhaps representing a critical juncture where ideals (pre-input) meet actionable insights (input).
This work continues to weave a fascinating interplay between tradition, resilience, and adaptive frameworks, anchoring abstract principles in a tangible, meaningful design. It evokes not just computational elegance but also a narrative richness that invites deeper reflection.
Epilogue#
Let’s clarify the correct color assignments! Here’s how the adjustments align with your logic:
Paleturquoise for Firm: A clear alignment with firmness and stability. Think: parasympathetic -
feeding & breedingLightgreen for Tactful: This correction ensures that the
attributereflects tact though the lens of avast combinatorial space: Think: iterative autonomic nervous system with preganglionic ACh - key strength & vulnerability of entire enterpriselightsalmon for Sound: Aligned with the “Red Queen” situation in every ecosystem from the beginning of time. Think: sympatheitc -
worthy & adversarial. Remember the words that have insipired this chapter. Though ephemeral, they carried a weight beyond their immediate purpose. They were markers of identity, reflections of a generation navigating the collision of cultures, wielding language as both shield and sword. And with the arrival of the girls, one can’t help imagine a Midsummer Nights Dream in Busoga in the 1950s:
Hippolyta, I woo’d thee with my sword 🗡️,
And won thy love doing thee injuries ❤️;
But I will wed thee in another key $,
With pomp, with triumph, and with revelling.
– Theseus
Thou, thou, Lysander, thou hast given her rhymes,
And interchang’d love-tokens with my child $.
Thou hast by moonlight at her window sung,
With feigning voice, verses of feigning love 🗡️;
And stol’n the impression of her fantasy ❤️
–- Egeus