Unmixing the Steel: The Arithmetic of Decolonisation

Philosophics — Philosophical and Political Ramblings · Jul 23, 2026 · 21m

Language philosopher Bry Willis explores the complexities of decolonisation, using a mathematical "toy model" to challenge the popular idea that colonial influences can be easily extracted from a society. The author argues that the metaphor of purification is flawed; instead of being like salt that can be removed from water, colonial and indigenous elements act like an alloy, forming a new compound that cannot be separated into its original parts. Through an arithmetic simulation, the source demonstrates that joint or hybrid practices quickly become the dominant force in any polity, making it…