As I draw closer towards permanance and consistency, a natural flow towards the rightful or wrongful ossification of my beliefs;
while at the same time, forseeing the inevitable curiosity and interest of my peers into the markings of the flesh;
How does one think with conviction, to inscribe a concept or symbol onto their inherited birthright?
Principally, I feel strongly about two universal frameworks: of Cycles and Systems, though I largely approach this in a scientific and geometric pattern-spotting sorta of way, as opposed to the Buddhist Dharma-esque approach which indeeds captures such thinking too.
The Theory of Cycles:
In my own rambly deifintion:
Cycles, as defined by a sequence of data points forming a line, amplitude, and frequency, that is continuous, changing, capturing both past and present
The Theory of Cycles is a good reminder of:
- Change is always constant, and one has to be adaptable
- There are changes in the intensity (amplitude) and frequency (..aka…frequency) of change.
- There are periods of volatility and stability, depending on how frequent changes are
- There are steady states and Step changes, depending on how major the amplitudes change
- Life, indeed has its up and downs.
- There is humility in the ever-changing cycles - what was a correct response in the past may not be the correct response today
- Yet, there are also lessons to be learnt from past cycles (i.e. history is a teacher, and some times has repeating patterns)
- Resilience to cycles can be defined by upper or lower thresholds (i.e. horizontal line)
Application:
I’ve used this to describe other universal concepts such as Economics or Sustainability - we often talk about points of no return (when amplitude change is irreversibly high), and the system does not have the capacity to self-correct
But such thinking can apply to mood as well:
Feeling low, feeling high; cathartic / mental breaks occur when amplitude change is temporarily at a peak.
Many blocks of stress in the same time period can cause “limits” or threshoholds to be breached when the amplitude of stress / worry is too high.
Naturally, I suppose my pursuit for discomfort zones has often times created an environment of high amplitude and high frequency change. Something that leans against my physical and mental durability.
The Theory of Systems:
Also, in own off-the-cuff definition:
Systems, as defined by non-linear complex networks of interrelated entities; best illustrated as a series of interconnected dots and lines
The Theory of systems is a good reminder of:
- There is always a reason and things explained by underlying causes
- Problems have root causes, and may only surface on the second, third, fourth degree
- A first degree response may have unintended consequences (or other spillover effects)
- There are almost always trade offs
- There is very little linearity in life
Application:
I’ve used it to describe the interrelations of various universal frameworks in the past.
Its a concept I’ve also applied to understand people better - what drives them to behave in a certain way? Thereasons could possibly be due to nearer term second or third order reasons; or fourth order theories on their childhood and upbringing. Some applied psychoanalysis if you will.
It probably preoccupies my mind too much - but indeed, I have a fascination with the interconnectedness of things.
Surely that should bear enough weight to provide sufficient conviction to get a tattoo on some graphical representation of these concepts…
Of course, the subsequent question is where…