Novelty theory attempts to calculate the ebb and flow of novelty in the universe as an inherent quality of time. It is an idea conceived of and discussed at length by Terence McKenna from the early 1970s until his death in the year 2000.
According to McKenna, when “novelty” is graphed over time, a fractal waveform known as timewave zero or simply the timewave results. The graph shows at what times, but never at what locations, novelty is increasing or decreasing.
According to the timewave graph, great periods of novelty occurred about 4 billion years ago when Earth was formed, 65 million years ago when dinosaurs were extinct and mammals expanded, about 10,000 years ago after the end of the ice age, around late 18th century when social and scientific revolutions progressed and during the 1960s.
Interestingly, he also saw greater novelty coming around the time of 9/11/2001 and in November 2008 (election), this fall in October 2010 and novelty progressing towards the infinity on 21st December 2012.
I haven’t found a complete analysis of McKenna’s wave – for example, what occurred in May 1996 that he saw such a precipitous drop in novelty?
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May 11, 2010 at 6:15 am
garth
The adoption of the South African Constitution on 8 May 1996 was one of the turning points in the history of the struggle for democracy in this country. The Constitution is considered by many as one of the most advanced in the world, with a Bill of Rights second to none. South Africa’s Constitution was drafted by an all-inclusive constitutive assembly, which had representatives from all the major political parties and liberation organisations. The constitutional assembly sat between May 1994 and October 1996 drafting and completing the new constitution. The new Constitution was the embodiment of the vision of generations of anti-apartheid freedom fighters and democrats who had fought for the principle that South African belonged to all, for non racialism and for human rights.
November 1, 2010 at 12:11 pm
RFM
So what happened in October 2010? I didn’t notice any huge novelty on the planet – did you?
July 30, 2012 at 10:10 am
Odditee
Wikileaks dumped its US military and State Dept documents onto the world stage, Oct 2010. A highly novel event, shedding light on decades of back room politics and war.
July 30, 2012 at 10:15 am
Odditee
Rioting in France over austerity, the Bueshar nuke plant in Iran was loaded with fuel for the first time, signifying a potential major turning point in history. Much novelty in Oct 2010.
November 3, 2010 at 1:01 am
Boov
Not Oct. 2010 — It should be early-mid November 2010; 7th-14th, perhaps.
November 6, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Leilani
Boov
How do you figure that?
July 30, 2012 at 9:59 am
Odditee
In the early 90s it was estimated that the Internet grew by 100% per year, with a brief period of huge public awareness and interest in 1996. Perhaps that was the peak TM was referencing?