The dissemination of divination in roman republican times

A negative feedback loop is a functional system. We meet it many places in our everyday
life. One example is the thermostat of a furnace. The input function is a thermometer
measuring the temperature. This is compared to the set-point or standard of the thermostat by
a comparator. In case the temperature is below the set-point, the comparator will initiate the
output function, which is turning on the heater. This, along with other external factors such as
the draft from the window, influences the environment to produce a new reading of the input
function. If the temperature is at or above the set-point, the output function will be turned off.
The system can be supplemented with an air conditioner, which would add a maximum value
above which the air conditioner will be turned on. We would then have a feedback system
that regulates an equilibrium. Notice that it does not matter whether it is the output function
or some other external influence which produces the change. As long as the input function
does not give values beyond the set-point, the output function is activated.
If we apply this to the previous discussion, the life model functions as a standard signifying
the values determining the equilibrium. Like a thermostat can be regulated to give different
equilibriums, the life model can differ from culture to culture. While the thermostat is set by
a person, the life model is set by interpersonal communication in the group to which the
person belongs. There will, though, still be certain limits to the differences. While our
thermostat systems may vary from country to country, they will probably mostly have
equilibriums making it easy to maintain a body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius.
Let us look at an example of what the life model incorporates and how it could work.
Social sociologists Richard A. Settersten and Gunhild O. Hägestad showed that among their
respondents a deadline for marriage between 25-30 years was perceived (85 % for men 82%
for women (Settersten & Hagestad 1996b: 182f)). This functions like the equilibrium in the
thermostat system. If we imagine an idealized case: a single man aged 39, the input function
compared with the set-point (married before 25-30 years) would indicate that something
should be done. He is motivated to go to social events or use net dating until he finds a wife.
When he does get married the input will have changed and he will no longer be motivated to
find a wife. Naturally this range for marriage will differ somewhat between cultures, but still
within limits. It would be improbable to find any culture with deadlines for marriage at 2
years or 60, just as it would be improbable to find thermostats set at 3 or 40 degrees Celsius.
A discrepancy between the life model and the lived life can be characterized as a misfortune
and a consistency with the life model as fortune. Thus we can say that a perception of actual
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