Tuesday, February 27, 2007

My (a)symmetrical world

Everywhere I look I can see symmetry. I see it when I look in the mirror, or at my pets. I can see it in buildings we build, and trees and flowers. In just about everything, I can pick out some aspect of symmetry. I see that most forms that are pleasing to look at are symmetrical. Sometimes art or structures will not have symmetry, and it really sticks out. Things that are asymmetrical catch the eye and give a sense of being off balance. It's even part of our (as a species) aesthetics that things be "balanced" And that doesn't necessarily mean even numbers or anything, threes and fives are also symmetrical in their way. I think that in symmetry we find harmony. But I also think that the asymmetrical does call to us. Like if you're thinking of the kaons and how they misbehave, and that act of misbehaving has lead to existence as we know it, I think that the element of the asymmetrical calls to us as a necessary function of our universe. If everything were completely symmetrical all the time, we wouldn't exist. So the Picassos Cindy Laupers and all of those people who feel like their expression isn't complete without some asymmetry are giving that sense of paying homage to that little something else that makes us what we are.

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