meta-Tao spheres

The first metapattern - a pattern which describes other patterns - introduced by Tyler Volk and Jeff Bloom is the sphere, characterized by minimizing the surface/volume ratio and intrinsically trascendental, since based on the irrational number π with infinite figures.

Meditation Hall, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry, South India.

Interior views.

Background

Spheres and the tendency towards sphericity are common forms in the sciences, as well as in other disciplines. As physical forms they maximize strength and durability, have a reduced surface area to volume ratio, and minimize environmental contact. In more general terms, the fundamental meanings underlying this form involve equanimity, omni-directionality, simplification, and containment. Spheres and sphericity can be actual physical forms as well as invisible and metaphoric senses of form. In contending with the sense of sphericity, the forms can range from near perfect spheres to partial spheres to squared-off and box-like forms. When nested together, spheres can form holarchic layers.

Examples

• In science: cells, many fruits (e.g., apples, spheres, cherries, tomatoes), planets, stars, eyes, droplets, heart, skulls, eggs & spores, bubbles, biosphere, ecosystem, inflated puffer, jellyfish, sea urchin, etc.
• In architecture and design: domes, geodesic domes and spheres, atria, light bulbs and fixtures, etc.
• In art: halos in Renaissance paintings, spherical forms in paintings and sculpture, etc.
• In social sciences: spheres as communities, spheres as context, spheres as schemata (as in schema theory), etc.
• In other senses: sphere of influence, sphere of friends, sphere of consciousness, sphere as neighborhood, etc.

"egg" scheme

Metapatterns

The Pattern Underground