Semantics

[MakersDozn]

We're still thinking about a lot of this stuff. We did come up with the verb "formed" as an alternative to the verb "split."

1. We think that "formed" is a lot more flexible in terms of how and when a particular insider comes into being. "Forming" allows for the possibility of "un-forming" and "re-forming" as need be, like with sand or clay. Whereas a split, at least to us, seems irreversible.
2. To us, "forming" is a lot more positive in that a specific self comes together or builds from within the whole, whereas "splitting," by definition, involves something breaking apart.
3. Most systems don't establish themselves with only one round of splits. Therefore, by definition, further splits will only come from existing system members, and then, also by definition, be subsystems of the members from whom they split. Sort of like nesting dolls. But since the concept of host doesn't work for us, the concept of nested subsystems, or splits from splits, doesn't sit well with us either. We all need to be on equal footing existentially, and the only metaphor that's comfortable for us is one of sand or clay, wherein initial forming and modifications of one's form can be drawn from anywhere else within the total mass.

Charity, Mary, Laura, Allegra, and others