blind spots

Striving for an ideal with respect to individual conduct is difficult because
it encompasses everything we do.
On the other hand, each of us has the potential to achieve excellence -
we can all think of ourselves as gifted.

Keshavan Nair (A higher standard of leadership)

To demonstrate the principle of the blind spot I would like to begin with the following experiment: close the left eye and look intently at the cross; hold the page at about forty centimeters ......

When the paper is moved gradually the black circle will disappear suddenly: discontinuous change. When I move I become aware of the change i.e. like Gulliver the creative person will want to move so as to become aware of change. In fact there is no change, but the different perspective causes the change. However if I don't move I will not be aware of the difference. By moving out of a particular field (or system) I can see the possibilities for change.

Creativity > changing others by changing yourself

The generally accepted explanation for this phenomenon is that the black spot is in that area of the retina when the eye nerve enters, and therefore insensitive to light. However, seldom attention is given to the question that we are continually walking around with a 'hole' in our perception ( F. Jansen/J.v.d. Putte in 'Systeemtherapie', 1990).

"quidquid recipitur,
recipitur modo recipientis"

(All is received in the manner of receiver)
(Aristotle)

Our visual experience is a continuous one; we do not observe the ever present discontinuity. As Maturana (& Varela, 1987) observes: 'This experiment is so fascinating because it shows that we do not see what we don't see.'
The theory of 'structural determinism' therefore holds that 'instructive interaction' is an impossibility. You -the reader- determine the fate of this book and the information it holds.
Structural determinism maintains that all living systems behave according to their structure
(Maturana en Varela,1987). This implies that when a system or one of its aspect interacts with its environment, its structure or pattern will determine its reaction.
An example of such a closed system is the compact disc player. The information is digitally recorded on the disc and the sound is reproduced by reading this information. If a particular piece of information has been damaged, the player will check before and after and then produce a sound most likely to have occurred. The gramophone record produced all sounds, scratches. The CD corrects on basis of its own structure; its preprogrammed pattern.

This may show how very difficult it will be for me to obtain an 'objective' picture of the world around me. Objectivity is a variable thing. We construct our own world and reality. Yet there is no such thing as an absolutely correct picture of reality. As Watzlawick says: "reality is invented by us" Any viewpoint on which we agree as being the correct one (objectivity) is the result of consensus. It is hard if not impossible to convince someone, if he does not want to be convinced. What can be changed, however, is the field of perception. By moving blind spots can be filled in. This is where creativity plays a major role; the creativity to find ways and manners to make people want to change their position (see also flexible thinking) so that they will find out for themselves.