The BAL-Looping Framework in a Nutshell

The Bare-Bones Architecture

Figure 1. Looping diagram

The upper ovals show interindividual communication between two individuals. BAL 1 (brain at large 1) outputs gist₁ through its o-channel (output channel). The transfer between the two individuals is represented by a single dotted line. The signal enters the i-channel (input channel) of BAL 2. From this signal in the i-channel, BAL 2 forms gist₂.

The lower oval shows looping in a single individual. BAL 1 begins to output an incipient expression of gist₁ which moves outward along the o-channel but is never actually uttered. Instead, it resonates across to the i-channel, a transfer represented by dotted lines at various points along its extension. From this signal in the i-channel, BAL 1 forms gist₂.

John Mark Norman · 2026

Textual Description of the BAL-Looping Diagram

For blind and visually impaired readers

The diagram consists of two illustrations arranged vertically. The upper illustration depicts two individuals, while the lower illustration depicts a single individual. Both use simple ovals, horizontal lines, and dotted connections to represent the same or similar elements.

Upper illustration: Interindividual communication

Two separate ovals, each containing just three labeled elements, are arranged side by side, representing BAL 1 on the left and BAL 2 on the right.

Toward the center of the left oval is gist₁. Two short, parallel horizontal lines extend toward the oval's right edge. The upper one is labeled o and the lower one i.

The right oval mirrors the arrangement of the first, separated from it by a gap. Its two horizontal lines extend toward its left edge, and it contains gist₂ instead of gist₁.

A single dotted line slopes downward from the o-channel of BAL 1 to the i-channel of BAL 2.

Lower illustration: Looping

Here there is only a single oval, identical in outline to the one on the left in the upper illustration. Instead of a single dotted line extending outward from its o-channel, three short, parallel dotted lines extend downward from the o-channel to the i-channel. These short dotted lines connecting the channels are set at equal intervals, the first near the innermost end, the last near the outermost end.

Overall visual arrangement

The upper illustration consists of two separate ovals connected by a single diagonal dotted line. The lower illustration consists of one oval containing three short, parallel dotted lines between its horizontal channels. The contrast between the two-oval and single-oval arrangements is immediately apparent, as is the repetition of the same basic graphic elements.

The diagram’s legend

The upper ovals show interindividual communication between two individuals. BAL 1 outputs gist₁ through its o-channel (output channel). The transfer between the two individuals is represented by a single dotted line. The signal enters the i-channel (input channel) of BAL 2. From this signal in the i-channel, BAL 2 forms gist₂.

The lower oval shows looping in a single individual. BAL 1 begins to output an incipient expression of gist₁ which moves outward along the o-channel but is never actually uttered. Instead, it resonates across to the i-channel, a transfer represented by dotted lines at various points along its extension. From this signal in the i-channel, BAL 1 forms gist₂.