Patterns: The Quest for Meaning in Randomness
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Chapter 1: The Allure of Patterns
Patterns appear to be everywhere, yet we often seek to attribute meaning to them and understand their origins.
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Section 1.1: Nature’s Canvas
The image provided above depicts a skylight adorned with leaves that create a seemingly random arrangement. This visual mirrors the patterns we perceive in the night sky or the chaotic beauty of abstract art. As fellow observers, you may recognize this scene and the stories it conjures.
The three leaves clustered on the right side of the image appear to engage in a lively discussion, while to the left, a more complex narrative unfolds, with three leaves on a stem seemingly pulling away from another, drawn toward two leaves in a tender embrace. One might even spot an exclamation mark among the foliage! Do you see it?
Our ancestors, gazing at the stars for countless generations, have also identified patterns in the night sky, attributing narratives and meanings to them. Many have perceived intentionality, akin to how an artist meticulously plans a composition.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Role of Science
Photo by author
By examining and analyzing patterns, scientists strive to deepen our comprehension of them. Observations about leaves, trees, and the wind enable us to deduce that an invisible breeze likely dislodged the leaves from an unseen tree, which knowledgeable individuals might identify as a "locust tree."
Once we discern the probable cause behind the pattern, we realize that the meanings we initially imposed are merely charming tales we've crafted, rather than intrinsic truths of the pattern itself.
Section 1.2: Stars and Constellations
For centuries, scientists have demystified our interpretations of star patterns, revealing them to be mere projections of human imagination. They have unearthed fascinating details about celestial bodies, yet enigmas persist—like “dark matter” and “dark energy”—akin to the unseen forces shaping the leaf patterns on our skylight. These mysteries may remain elusive, forever beyond our grasp.
Chapter 2: The Cosmic Planner Debate
In the first video, "Illustrator CC - Random Pattern of Shapes - Easy seamless repeating pattern," viewers can explore the creation of seamless patterns, reflecting the beauty found in randomness.
The second video, "Creating Random Patterns - WIWIKA," delves into the process of generating unique patterns, emphasizing the role of chance in artistic expression.
Some individuals interpret these mysteries as evidence of a cosmic planner, often referred to as “God,” providing them with solace.
Conversely, others view this notion as unconvincing, likening it to primitive interpretations of constellations, or even as presumptuous if we assume such a planner is concerned with our interests.
Rainer Maria Rilke poignantly encapsulated this sentiment in his poem "Buddha" (translated in my own words):
“As if he listened. Silence: a distance …
We cease to hear it any longer.
And he is a star. And other great stars
that we cannot see accompany him.
“Oh he is all. Do we truly expect
that he should notice us? Should he care?
And if we threw ourselves before him,
he’d remain as indifferently distant as an owl.
“For that which draws us to his feet
has coursed in him for millions of years.
He who overlooks what we experience,
and who experiences what we cannot.”