Isolation occurs as many representational series are progressively curtailed, in accordance with the laws of reproduction. Thus, if there we take two similar sensations, a and b, Herbart argues that as b is occurring, a reproduces itself as an imagining, together with all its fusions and complications.[62]  If now a third similar sensation, c, appears, then a and b, together with their connections (and connections of connections) reproduce themselves, but “now there is already an inhibition, as the connections of the one and the other will differ” (SW VI: 123). Imagine now that new, similar sensations flow in by the hundreds or thousands: “it is evident that then diverse associations of all the preceding [sensations] will be as good as extinguished in their reproduction”, letting only a tiny amount of each enter consciousness (SW VI: 123). Nevertheless, all these small amounts add up to a considerable total vivacity (Totalkraft), and this fused representation is tantamount to a concept. In other words, as similar elements of representational sequences fuse, the opposing links of these series cancel each other out, leaving only the fused total force shining forth surrounded by a “dim margin of competing alternatives” (Stout 1888b: 478). Having seen one and the same man in various positions, moods, clothes and places, then, should we see him again, the total-representation that now appears is the concept of this  man.[63]  According to Herbart, crude general concepts of objects and events arise analogously to these incipient individual ones (SW VI: 124–5).