101010

Do you speak binary?

Binary is a computer language made up of 1’s and 0’s.  Using only electricity, a computer works by turning tiny little electrical pulses on and off. On = 1.  Off = 0.  By stringing together 1’s and 0’s, we can create letters, numbers, and characters, and use them to communicate.  For example:

a = 01100001
b = 01100010
c = 01100101

I chose the title of this article for another reason entirely, which I’ll share in a second… but since “101010″ looked like a binary number, I checked it out.  It translates into this:

*

An asterisk. The star shape symbol.

That sealed the deal.

And that’s why I have officially decided that 10/10/10 will be the release date of Phenomenal: The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy.

A DELAY FOR THE BEST OF REASONS

First off, you should know that I had hoped to release Phenomenal this year.

Years ago, I wrote a book called Writing FAST, and it seemed hypocritical to take my sweet time with this one.

The plan was November 2009, which, as I write these words, is next week.

Not only did that not happen, I’m glad it didn’t happen.

The more I work on Phenomenal, the more extraordinary it becomes.  I’ve done research that has revealed facts and science beyond my wildest imagination.  It has opened up new areas of exploration for me.  Things that not only support the underlying ideas of Phenomenal, but that take it well beyond what I’d originally conceived.

The more objectively I can support my argument, the more impact the book will have.

Which is why I decided awhile back that I was going to take my time writing it.

See, Writing FAST was never about rushing things.  “Fast” is relative.

And as I began writing Phenomenal, I discovered that it has a pace of its own. It seems right to take more time — not only to research it more, but to write it as I demonstrate it.

HOW TO DEMONSTRATE PHENOMENAL VALUE

One of my great challenges with this project has been to demonstrate the value of this book before I’m in a position to reveal its value.

My plan was to start a blog and generate so much interest and excitement from my articles, that it would push the book forward into being, on the strength of its own momentum.

But a funny thing happened.

I discovered that I can’t show you what it is…
until I show you what it is.

If I reveal the Phenomenal insight in this blog — in bits and pieces — it becomes fragmented. The whole of the idea (and therefore the power of the complete idea) would be diluted.  But if I don’t reveal what it’s all about… how can I reasonably ask you to get excited about it?

It’s a double-edge sword.  It’s no big deal, and it’s not going to slow me down… but it does force me to rethink the way I write and release the book.

Tomorrow, I’ll be putting up a new blog entry.

In it, I’ll show you something I’ve decided to do alongside the writing of Phenomenal as a way to demonstrate the very principles of it, and show you how these ideas can be applied in “the real world”.

But for now, let’s take a look at the beauty and symmetry of 10/10/10… and see why it’s the perfect release date for Phenomenal.

THE SCALE OF SYMMETRY

Perfect symmetry doesn’t really exist in nature.

Symmetry is a matter of scale, and what looks to be perfectly symmetrical at one scale, looks decidedly asymmetrical at a different scale.

Take a ruler, for instance.

Remember in school, when you’d take a ruler and use it to draw a straight line?  The shortest distance between you and a straight line was that ruler.

But zoom in on it.

I mean really zoom in.  A hundred times.  A thousand times.

When we amplify the edge of the ruler large enough, it looks no more straight than the jagged rocks along the shore.

And your line is really just fragments of lead or ink that are splayed in chaotic chunks, when viewed at a microscopic scale.

Perfectly straight at one scale — perfectly jagged at another.

THE SYMMETRY OF 10/10/10

Any thing in our world that is comprised of matter, will look different at different scales.  That’s because everything you see is made up of component parts — and everything you are is a component part of something larger.

Consider your place on this planet.

From your perspective, “large” is anything bigger than you, and “small” is anything smaller.  But if you were the size of the Sun, things you currently consider massive (like, say, the Earth itself) would be considered tiny.

So symmetry is all a matter of perspective, except in one area:

Mathematics.

Now, I’m no mathematician, but what I love about 10/10/10 is that it’s a perfect mathematical construct.  Each of the three components is not only the completion of a decimal cycle, they’re also identical and repetitive, and anything presented in 3’s has a natural symmetry (which is why jokes are always structured around 3 repetitions.

And 10’s naturally take other numbers to the next scale.  You’ve heard of “powers of ten”?  By multiplying any number by 10, you leap to the next decimal frame.

Sure, this is silly.

And really has nothing to do with the content of my book.

But the ability to observe and perceive symmetry is one of the things that makes the human mind phenomenal.

Symmetry may be innately recognized by other animals, and it may serve some more important function to the structure of our universe.  But (as far as we currently know) only the human mind can perceive symmetry, celebrate it, and strive to attain it.

So as a celebration of the power of the human mind, 10/10/10 is a beautiful date — and the perfect release date for Phenomenal.

THE LITTLE STAR

And the binary number 101010 translates into an asterisk!  It’s a fantastic serendipity.

Because the Asterisk itself is actually a great metaphorical representation of Phenomenal, as well.

The word “asterisk” comes from the Latin asteriscum, meaning “little star.”  (And yes, bear with me, because I’m gonna go exactly where you think I’m gonna go.)

The slogan of this site is “You are phenomenal. Live accordingly.”  Implied in that tagline is that you are a star.  You are a source of light in an otherwise empty universe.  You emit an energy that shines on the bodies that orbit you. (Alright, alright… I knew I was going to get too New Age-y, but c’mon!  You gotta admit it’s a cool metaphor.)

The asterisk is a wonderful visual reminder of “the phenomenal you” — that you that is your best self, in your peak moment, on a life course that’s taking you exactly where you decide to go.

One of my goals with the book Phenomenal is to show you that whatever you have inside you that is unique unto yourself, which you can contribute to improve the whole of the human race… This is what you must tap into, and give.  It’s what you’re here to do.  Not because anybody sent you here… but because self-expression is the purpose of conscious life.

You are here to find the asterisk inside, and show it to the world.

It’s a hidden little reminder found deep within the symmetry of 10/10/10.*

THE MULTIPLIER

And perhaps the most important metaphor found within the asterisk (as it relates to Phenomenal) is in its use as a multiplier.

When we multiply two numbers, we use the asterisk:

5 * 5 = 25

There’s a very subtle theme that runs through Phenomenal, and I’ll give you a hint at what that is:

When you tap into your phenomenal core, you literally multiply your value to the rest of humankind, and you multiply the capacity of human capability.

Consider this:  The world will continue with or without your contribution.  If you don’t reach inside and find what’s special, and share that with the world… nobody will ever notice or care.  The simple truth is that nobody’s hanging around waiting for you to push humankind forward.

But if you do, you literally have the very real power of multiplying the power of the human race.

These ideas are fundamental to the core of what Phenomenal is all about.  And it’s difficult to express it partially in this blog.

But if for no other reason, I love 10/10/10 for its binary meaning of “asterisk“.  Because it, like you, is the multiplier.

And on 10/10/10, the book will be the ultimate multiplier.

10 OCTOBER 2010

There it is.  The official release date of Phenomenal: The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy.

I’ve also decided that I’ll be closing the pre-orders long before the book is ready, to dramatically minimize the number of Limited Edition books that are available, so that those that do exist will increase in value to those who have the foresight to pre-order early.

In fact, I may pull the Limited Edition pre-order offer at any time.  So if you’re on the fence, I would urge you to get a copy soon.  Remember, there’s a full buyback guarantee (I’ll even refund the shipping cost to get it back to us) even after you get 60 full days to read it and see if you like it. There’s literally zero risk, so if you’re interested, get in while you can.

Tomorrow, I’ll show you what I’ve decided to do alongside the writing of the book, and I’ll show you why that contribution of mine is going to be breathtaking.

Phenomenal, even.

10/10/10

Get ready.

Next up, Article #20:
What is Your Contribution?

* The asterisk also indicates a footnote, in which we can remind ourselves to make a note of 10/10/10 on your calendar!

Phenomenal: The Self-fulfilling Prophecy is a dynamic new nonfiction book from author Jeff Bollow. You can pre-order your signed, Limited Edition first printing copy with our zero risk buyback guarantee right now. Visit the Pre-Order page for full details.