just a single cell
of type 'TREE'
whose value
is the particular real Tree
we're all living in/on
now split that cell
across two rows
with the new lower cell
representing
life before humankind
and the new upper cell
human history
(subdivide further
as desired)
or instead
split the Tree
across two columns
with left representing (say)
Earth's western hemisphere
right the east
so when we merge these splits
into a four-cell spreadsheet
humanity's western-hemisphere history
(cell A1)
is empty before c20,000BC
or we can multiply the columns
without limit
effectively zooming in
on narrower and narrower
ranges of places
or, ultimately
assign one (or more) column(s)
to every creature
that's ever lived
with one cell each
of type 'PLACE'
and optional additional
variable cells
but since most lifespans
are one-billionth the height
of the full Tree
this wastes a
lot
of empty cells
so normally we filter out
a few individuals' columns
most often generalising
timeless placeless interactions
between abstract persons
noting only significant
relative changes
