Excommunicated From Darkness

“In my midlife, I found myself at a crossroads. A letter of excommunication from the religious organization I was raised in prompted deep reflection—not about the values it taught, but about its demand for unquestioning obedience to unelected and unbending authority based on belief, not logic.

What, I wondered, is the essence of morality if stripped of dogma? Soon thereafter, sitting in my hot tub in Capitola, Ca. surrounded by the creativity and energy of Silicon Valley, the answer emerged. My work in systems design had always focused on identifying the lowest common denominator to solve problems efficiently. I realized that the unifying element across all great human achievements of society — the capacity to share, move, or act more effectively was to add bandwidth.

The printing press democratized knowledge. Doctors extend life and improve its quality. Cars extended personal mobility. Airplanes transcended geographic limitations. The internet brought unlimited information to everyone’s fingertips. Smartphones revolutionized communication and convenience. Each breakthrough shared a common purpose: to enhance humanity’s bandwidth.

As I reflected, it became clear that bandwidth is not just the hallmark of technological progress—bandwidth is also the measure of moral progress. To create, innovate, and collaborate is to add bandwidth to society. Conversely, actions that deceive, destroy, or constrain take bandwidth away.

This realization has been the guiding principle of my life and work. Preparing to share it with the world was like assembling a puzzle without edges. First, I had to flip all the pieces right side up, find the borders, and discern the patterns. Life’s systems are much the same: clarity and persistence reveal the full picture.

Though simple in concept, the pervasive nature of bandwidth makes its application profound. It is my hope that this insight will offer readers a new lens to evaluate their actions, choices, and contributions—not just for their own benefit, but for the progress of all.

Be sure to see my other website: https://gravityz0.com/ for new insight into the cosmos and a correction to General Relativity….

Rod Mack, December 13, 2024, Yerington, Nv.