Infinite Finite: A View on Human Progression Through Emergent Generative Systems

Contemporary crises reveal an imbalance in human progression, prioritizing material advancement while neglecting ethical, compassionate, and spiritual dimensions. This thesis examines natural progression through the lens of emergence, where simple interactions produce complex outcomes. Analyzing natural patterns across different scales, from cosmic formations to neural interactions, underscores emergence's universal nature. Within this context, Infinite Finite introduces a generative digital tool simulating emergence through iterative cycles of construction and deconstruction. Depicting a century of human progression informed by historical behaviors via simulated cellular interactions, the tool visually differentiates ethical from unethical progression. This is represented through ten data visualization tiles composed of tesserae: wooden for ethical progression, symbolizing growth and renewal, and rockite for unethical progression, signifying rigidity and depletion. This analytical depiction encourages reflection on humanity’s role within natural systems, offering insights into global challenges and the interconnected aspects of humanity’s shared progression.