meta-Tao rigidity and flexibility

Jos Leys, Kaleido 4D

The next metapattern discussed by Tyler Volk and Jeff Bloom is the binary complementarity of rigidity/flexibility, in time, space and relationship:

Alexandre Arrechea, No Limit

Background

Rigidity and flexibility can be binaries of space, time, and relationship. Rigidity implies strength and impenetrability, while flexibility implies adaptability and change. In a spatial sense, a tube, sphere, sheet, border, or layer can be rigid or flexible. Boundaries of time can be rigid sequences of steps or stages or can delimit actions and activities. Binary relationships can be rigidly established or provide for flexibility. Both flexibility and rigidity can serve to protect.

Examples

• In science: Adaptation, acclimatization, organism tolerance to environmental change and variation, cell walls vs. cell membranes, "class of atoms that are inert", etc.

• In architecture and design: flexibility in skyscrapers, rigid vs. flexible interior designs, car crumple zones and uni-body construction, springs, etc.

• In the arts: rigid and flexible representations in dance and theater, malleable vs. static sculpture, etc.

• In social sciences: rules, mores, cultural borders, national borders, social layering, personality typologies, institutional and organization, etc.

• In other senses: athletic protective wear, yoga, martial arts, “letter of the law” vs. “spirit of the law”, rigid vs. flexible writing styles, flexible scheduling, open-mindedness vs. close-mindedness and dogma, etc.

Metapatterns

The Pattern Underground