Aaron Jonas Stutz
Reflecting Natural Meaning: The Ecology of Traces and the Dynamics of Signs
Resilient traces provide a phenomenal ground necessary—but not sufficient—for bringing
symbolic figures into being. Two categories of traces constitute and iconically reflect our selves
and narratives, always in a wider ecological setting. Physical traces—recognizable patterns of
past change—occur in relatively durable materials. In experience bio-physical signals—often
traversing visual, haptic, and proprioceptive channels—reflect physical traces. Network traces
are dynamic, pseudo-equilibrium configurations of interacting biological and ecological agents.
These are the non-linear, fractal features of meaning-making. Network traces may be micro- or
even ultrascopic. Consider neural networks and biochemical systems. Yet, they may persist
across biological generations, structuring the relationships among ecological species, across
biological-physical interfaces. Network traces are dynamic features of living systems; pseudostable, they retain the potential to evolve. This paper situates the meaning of traces in a broad
biosemiotic context. We are always agents and patients in and of dynamic multi-scalar
networks, traces of which shape and get transformed through ecological interactions. As
network traces have diversified in the human environment—encompassing linguistic and
practical semiotic systems—physical traces have also proliferated, contributing to selforganization of socio-technological systems that enrich or disrupt the very networks that
constitute our selves, power, and agency.