Relational Ontology of Evolving Potential: 3 Actualisation and Density Dynamics

In the previous post, we introduced the relational ontology of evolving potential. The principle is simple but powerful: structured potential, when engaged repeatedly, exhibits patterned redistribution, cumulative sedimentation, and emergent novelty.

Now we examine how these dynamics play out in concrete but non-semiotic domains, revealing the invariant logic of density redistribution.

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1. Vertical Clines Across Domains

Just as in semiotics, every domain exhibits a vertical cline: potential → actualisation. Examples include:

• Technological systems: Designs, prototypes, and implementations actualise a range of possibilities embedded in prior frameworks.

• Cultural practices: Rituals, performances, and enacted norms narrow potential into realised events.

• Social interactions: Decisions, policies, and conventions actualise latent possibilities within collective systems.

Each actualisation is a cut through structured potential, thickening some regions of density and thinning others.

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2. Lateral Clines and Individuation

Variation across agents persists in general domains. Each actor:

• Navigates the system according to experience, constraints, and preference

• Produces a lateral density distribution analogous to individuation in semiotics

• Generates patterns of accessibility and fluency that differ across the population

Together, these lateral clines shape collective patterns of probability over time.

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3. Temporal Reconfiguration

Actualisation is dynamic: repeated engagement produces density reconfiguration along the vertical and lateral axes:

• Thickening: frequently actualised regions become more probable in future interactions

• Thinning: neglected regions decrease in probability, creating spaces for novelty

Cumulatively, this produces development at the agent level and collective evolution at the system level, exactly as observed in semiotic systems.

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4. Visualising Density Dynamics

Structured potential field

Vertical: Potential → Actualisation
Horizontal: Agent / Locus variation
Temporal: Past actualisation → present probability

█████  ← heavily actualised / thickened regions
███           ← moderately used
█                   ← low-density / innovation potential

• Thickened regions guide future engagement

• Thin regions provide openings for emergent patterns

• Density evolves recursively, creating a self-organising topology of possibility

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5. Key Takeaways

1. Invariance: The relational logic of density redistribution holds across domains.

2. Relational emergence: No potential exists in isolation; actualisation depends on structured interaction between system, agents, and context.

3. Historical accumulation: Past actualisations shape current and future probability landscapes, producing sedimentation and tradition even outside language.

4. Novelty generation: Low-density regions remain generative, providing the engine for system evolution.

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By making these dynamics explicit, we see that semiotics is just one instance of a domain-independent pattern. The relational ontology of evolving potential applies calmly, systematically, and universally, setting the stage for exploring historical sedimentation, emergent stability, and innovation in the next posts.