I spent about a half year to read the "Steps to an Ecology of Mind'. It's hard to me discuss the writings, because of I read the collection on Russian. But I think you can try to drill down to the concept and ever time you will find a new facets of meaning.

Wow! I'm glad to hear someone mention his name. I only read <u>"Mind and Nature: A Necessary Unity"</u> but I reread it many times. Even more, I have thought about particular pages, specific diagrams and points he made over and over throughout the years since I first read it. A few examples: - stochastic process: a system that develops along a path determined on several random factors - the embryology of several species or crustacean all resemble each other in the early stages; he introduced to embryology in general - a modern engine has a governor that maintains the system; the opposite is what we call a run-away system, a vicious-cycle; the same applies to emotional and mental states (Bateson is not the only to discuss this) I really need to go and dig out that book and read it again~ Cheers, Tracy