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9.6.14 Simplicity and Inner Calm
Simplicity and inner calm can be identified when each configuration in nature is at its simplest consistent with its own relative conditions. Nature follows minimum energy principles to create form. This
principle of the least action in nature is the ancient formulation of simplicity. A good example is the
least-weight structure of a leaf at a cantilever state to support the uniformly distributed load (Fig. 9.22).
The result is that the natural form of the leaf closely approaches the ideal, least weight and simplest
form to create balance in the overall system (Alexander, 2001–2005a, p. 287). It is as if an inner calmness exists in the overall structure.
9.6.15 Not-Separateness
There is no isolation in the systems of nature, and it is evident that the interconnectedness of all things
is visible in the analysis of things in science, quantum physics, and biological research. Notseparateness corresponds to the fact that each part of every system is always part of larger systems,
Fig. 9.18 Roughness of the Paper Nautilus, and variants in nature formations. (Drawing by Jesse Delmo, synthesised
by Roös)
9 Living Structures: The Fundamental Properties of Wholeness
9.6.14 Simplicity and Inner Calm
Simplicity and inner calm can be identified when each configuration in nature is at its simplest consistent with its own relative conditions. Nature follows minimum energy principles to create form. This
principle of the least action in nature is the ancient formulation of simplicity. A good example is the
least-weight structure of a leaf at a cantilever state to support the uniformly distributed load (Fig. 9.22).
The result is that the natural form of the leaf closely approaches the ideal, least weight and simplest
form to create balance in the overall system (Alexander, 2001–2005a, p. 287). It is as if an inner calmness exists in the overall structure.
9.6.15 Not-Separateness
There is no isolation in the systems of nature, and it is evident that the interconnectedness of all things
is visible in the analysis of things in science, quantum physics, and biological research. Notseparateness corresponds to the fact that each part of every system is always part of larger systems,
Fig. 9.18 Roughness of the Paper Nautilus, and variants in nature formations. (Drawing by Jesse Delmo, synthesised
by Roös)
9 Living Structures: The Fundamental Properties of Wholeness