Timewave Zero
Author
Tim Meyer
Terence McKenna, a name synonymous with a range of subjects from ethnobotany to psychedelics, left behind a legacy that has intrigued and mystified audiences around the world. One of the most fascinating and controversial aspects of his work is the Timewave Zero theory. This theory, which combines mathematics, psychedelics, history, and eschatology, attempts to predict the ebb and flow of novelty, or the uniqueness and complexity, in the universe over time.
Terence McKenna’s journey into the realm of psychedelic substances and their impact on culture began in the 1960s. His extensive travels shaped his ideas, especially to the Amazon rainforest with his brother Dennis. McKenna’s experiences with psychedelic plants and deep dives into various cultural and historical texts fuelled his intellectual pursuits, developing his unique theories.
Timewave Zero theory rests on the foundational idea that time is not random but structured and possesses an inherent structure, manifesting as a discernible pattern that can be captured through mathematical modelling. This pattern is directly linked to the fluctuations of novelty or complexity within the cosmos. Events can be plotted on this wave, illustrating how the ebb and flow of novelty have shaped the course of human history.
The entirety of human history, along with our cultural and scientific advancements, is being irresistibly drawn towards a mysterious endpoint in time McKenna described as a "strange attractor." This concept of Timewave Zero was eventually translated into a software application, which purportedly aligns significant events in human development with the peaks and troughs of the Timewave. Inspired by his psychedelic experiences, McKenna's theory suggests that the very fabric of existence and time arises from the interplay between two diametric forces: one that seeks to preserve the status quo and another that drives innovation and change.
The reception to Terence McKenna’s Timewave Zero theory has been mixed, reflecting a spectrum of intrigue, scepticism, and critique. While some embrace the theory for its innovative approach to understanding history and time, others question its scientific validity and reproducibility. The theory has undeniably left a mark on the cultural landscape, sparking debates among intellectuals, scientists, and enthusiasts of psychedelia. It has inspired diverse discussions on the nature of time, consciousness, and the potential paths of human evolution.
