| All description, explanation,
or representation is necessarily in some sense a mapping of derivatives
from the phenomena to be described onto some surface or matrix or system
of coordinates. In the case of an actual map, the receiving matrix is
commonly a flat sheet of paper of finite extent, and difficulties occur
when that which is to be mapped is too big, or for example, spherical.
Other difficulties would be generated if the receiving matrix were the
surface of a torus (doughnut) or if it were a discontinuous lineal
sequence of points. Every receiving matrix, even a language or a
tautological network of propositions, will have its formal
characteristics which will in principle be distortive
of the phenomena to be mapped onto it.
Gregory Bateson 1979, p.53, footnote |