how is counting possible? first, we need to get some ‘stuff’ to count! but, if this ‘stuff’ is not yet counted, then it must not already be counted. since that which is already counted is *consistent* — that is, by definition we have a consistent count; one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish is not *consistent*, so it’s not a count and vise versa — that which is not yet counted must therefore be *inconsistent*.

what happens during any count is the transformation of the *inconsistent* to the *consistent*. before the count there swarms the ant-like multiple in its unintelligible *inconsistency*. after the count, the now *consistent* multiple enters into the domain of the one. so, the count structures the *inconsistent* multiple into the *consistent* multiple; it presents the pure, unintelligible, *inconsistent* multiplicity of being as many ones.

so, you commit the minor feat of metaphysics upon each and every count by declaring the inescapable *consistency* of that which is counted against what we claim here to be the true name of the world: pure, unintelligible, unstructured, unpresented, *inconsistent* multiplicity. it is by these means that we count — that we stake our territory upon the floor of the cave as if there were no other possible borders — as if no stone or grain of sand could ever rest unaccounted. { }