Lecture 2 - Pattern Literacy

Question 1

Pattern definition

Answer 1

• consistent forms created when two mediums meet
• only form when high energy events happen
• represents stabilty
• used to create stable forms of certain outcomes (social, monetary, realtion ships, nature)
• man-made patterns are often imperfect
• when maximum amount of energy are used the more perfect the pattern turns out, etc.
• proper patterns equal plant health (ex. sunflower in bad soil)

Question 2

Spiral Pattern

Answer 2

• conserve and focus energy
• efficiently gather, store or distribute energy
• no gaps, less energy loss
• example: distribute heat through a tight coiled spiral rocket mass heater, without losing much of it

Question 3

Net Pattern

Answer 3

• conserving energy (ex. housing network)

Question 4

Scattering Pattern

Answer 4

• seems random but folows same principal
• broad scale distribution (spreading of seeds/ spores)
• using this and amplyfing it, e.g. spraying compost tea or lifting up mushrooms higher to get a wider radius of release

Question 5

Branch pattern

Answer 5

• distribution or focusing (depending on the direction)
• increase of surface gives more reactional spaces for energy exchange (lungs, trees)
• gathering of multiple small sources to a big one (creeks to big river)

Question 6

Torus shape

Answer 6

• doughnut shape, like “inverted” circles
• example would be an apple

Question 7

Lobe Shape

Answer 7

• round shaped additions to a center
• staying connected
• expansion of cities in rounded shapes instead of straight lines
• similair function as crystalization, which is geometrcial instead of round

Question 8

Sphere shape

Answer 8

• perfect containment of energy
• tiniest possible surface
• complete system, stable

Question 9

Tesselate shape

Answer 9

• tiny mosaics within a bigger pattern
• appear in predictable ways

Question 10

Annidation shape

Answer 10

• stacking of layers around a core
• babushka dolls
• insulation
• growth of tree trunks
• pattern to design learning

Question 11

How to apply patterns

Answer 11

• apply them carefully, just as nature would
• find them in nature and get inspired through that
• study people’s bevarioul pattern
• study certain seasonal patterns, e.g. when I see bird x arriving in the spring I know there will be no more frost
• study pest and predator patterns

Question 12

Edge effect

Answer 12

• edges are the most fertile parts of the system
• when two different media/things meet, energy is transferred at maximum rates
• high energy edges have the ability to thoroughly transform an area
• add egdes to make it sytropic and catch maximum energy
• ex. two people from different cultures meet create a completely new idea
• ocean meeting the shore, very fertile and energy-rich place

Question 13

Stacking Functions

Answer 13

• nature always stacks multiple functions
• stacking multiple functions to decrease work and/or increase yield
• using ressources multiple times (ex. duck pond)
• stack functions wisely, but don’t overstack
• overstack can increase work, decrease yield
• “master erverything before you stack it”
• ex. duck pond, if water is used poorly and gets contaminated in the first step, all other following functions are corrupted

Question 14

Holistic thinking

Answer 14

• seeing the system as a whole not just focusing on the single interconnected parts
• understanding the landscape as a whole to understand water flow
• “Why is this animal part of this system, how does it interact with other species?”
• “Why is this person like this?”
• remember string game “Web of life”