Heroes Not Zombies

There are three kinds of “attractors” described by complexity science. An attractor is a kind of local organiser, producing distinct forms from the patterning of energy flows.

Here are three photos of mine which will help you see these three common patterns. First up, the “point attractor” which creates spirals or whirlpools, organising the local region around a single point.

Secondly, here’s a “loop attractor” pattern, where there are two points of organisation close to each other. This creates a pattern of alternating zones, or states, figures of 8, or “infinity loops”.

Thirdly, there are “strange” or “chaos” attractors where it is hard to see any distinct pattern but the region is being organised around multiple, interacting points.

Similar patterns can be seen throughout the universe, from the microscopic to the cosmic level. Here are three astronomical photos showing large scale attractor patterns (I didn’t take these ones!).

A beautiful, point attractor, spiral.

A fascinating loop attractor….

And, finally, a strange attractor pattern….

I think we see these patterns in disease as well, from situations where everything gets stuck, going round and round the same restricted path, to those alternating, or flip-flopping states, like highs and lows, and, then thirdly, the chaos patterns where there is such a level of dis-integration that everything feels a mess, feels chaotic.

I wonder if you can see any of these fundamental patterns in your world?