11 — City as Liturgy

Liturgy as Recursion and Fractal Order Summary: Liturgy, as a mode of knowing, involves understanding that organic order is not grasped all at once, similar to knowing a person over time rather than instantly. It can be viewed as a recursive and algorithmic system, continually running and building upon the results of previous iterations, potentially generating a fractal order.

Understanding Liturgy as a Recursive System Summary: Liturgy is akin to a recursive system where organic order is not meant to be understood all at once. It is comparable to getting to know a person incrementally rather than all at once. Liturgy operates like an algorithm, repeatedly running a basic equation with the results from each iteration, ultimately generating a fractal order. Just like a city’s structure, liturgy addresses perennial issues by following patterned resolutions generated through a recursive process, similar to algorithms solving problems. Rituals associated with death also exemplify liturgy’s recursive nature.

Understanding hierarchy as fractal in theology Summary: Hierarchy, as understood in the theology of Dionysius, aligns with the concept of fractals. The term ‘hierarchy’ was first used as a proper noun in the 500s AD, reflecting the idea of understanding hierarchy in a fractal manner. This approach suggests that hierarchy cannot be disregarded but should be comprehended fractally. The concept is connected to subsidiarity and the necessity of various currencies at different fractal scales, which should be interrelated as they cover smaller areas.

Preserving Genuine Localism and Local Currencies in the American Context Summary: Preserving genuine localism in the American context becomes challenging as the concept can be misinterpreted as advocating for a laissez-faire attitude, allowing corporations to dictate structures. This situation highlights a broken economic system in the United States, which in turn affects political discussions. Understanding the importance of local currencies, as proposed by Jane Jacobs, is crucial for effective governance as economic and political aspects are intertwined.

Three Kinds of Science and City Patterns Summary: During the period from 1600 to 1900, scientists were limited to conducting one type of science according to the perspective of the speaker. This type of science, referred to as problems in simplicity, involves two variable problems where the dependence of one factor relies entirely on another single factor. The speaker illustrates that her opponents used statistical approaches, aiming to simplify their findings into the simplicity approach. She argues that cities resemble biological life forms and living organisms, suggesting that the statistical and simplicity approaches are not suitable for understanding urban patterns.

Embracing organized complexity in studying living organisms Summary: The key insight from the snip is the importance of embracing the concept of organized complexity when studying living organisms like cities, as opposed to using a simplistic or statistical approach. By identifying and utilizing this third kind of science, researchers can accurately capture the intricate and dynamic nature of living systems, which traditional scientific methods might fail to address effectively.

Redefining Sciences in Urban Planning and Economics Summary: Urban planning and economics are like biological life forms and should be studied using a specialized kind of science called ‘the problem of organized complexity.’ This unique scientific approach, outlined in chapter 22 of ‘Death in Life’ and the Warren Weaver report, should be fundamental in education. Students need to understand and differentiate between the reductive, statistical, and biological sciences. The speaker proposes reinventing urban planning as a biological science and advocates for a similar approach in economics, which has been overlooked despite offering a potential paradigm shift.

Valuing Different Approaches in Science Summary: The speaker reflects on the different types of science discussed in ‘Death and Life’, highlighting how society tends to reward those who focus on statistical and production aspects while neglecting the importance of preserving organic order. The speaker suggests that the third kind of science, which embraces simplicity and natural processes, is often overlooked as it is viewed as more feminine. This bias towards certain scientific approaches remains unexplained, leaving room for further exploration and understanding.

The Three Kinds of Science and their Values Summary: There are three kinds of science: simplicity science focuses on utility, statistical science on truth, and organic science on beauty. The first two kinds of science are rewarded by the academic system, possibly because they align with the culture’s emphasis on power. However, organic science, which is associated with beauty and considered more feminine, is often neglected despite being a higher form of science. The neglect may be due to factors like first mover advantage and cultural biases.

The Beauty-First Approach to Investing Summary: The beauty-first approach to investing, exemplified by Warren Buffett, focuses on evaluating businesses as living organisms. By looking at the health of a company and letting CEOs manage their work of art, investors can achieve high returns. This approach contrasts with the data-heavy strategies of ‘truth-firsters’ and the simplicity-focused approach of derivatives traders, as seen in the financial crisis of 2007-2008. Warren Buffett’s success demonstrates the effectiveness of the organic complexity approach to investing, echoing the principles of beauty-first advocated by Jacobs.

Simplicity Bridges Understanding Summary: Mythological figures in business often showcase strategies that appear simple yet are challenging to replicate. This simplicity facilitates broader understanding and viral sharing, as these strategies are more directly observable and actionable by others. In contrast, complex ideas are heavily influenced by individual human perspectives, making them harder to convey and disseminate. This highlights the importance of clarity and relatability in communicating concepts, as the ease of understanding significantly impacts their adoption and spread.

Embrace Complexity and Patience in Understanding Summary: Ideas tend to spread virally when they are simple and universally observable, while more complex concepts are influenced by individual perspectives, making them harder to communicate and disseminate. Great thinkers, like Warren Buffett, may struggle to impart their insights directly because interpretations are deeply personal and subjective. Effective understanding often requires living out the ideas rather than merely discussing them, as true comprehension may elude those who seek immediate answers. This reflects a broader truth about the necessity of patience and the value of grappling with questions instead of rushing towards solutions.

Collective Paths, Evolving Rituals Summary: Understanding the world involves more than recognizing individual elements; it requires seeing how these elements interact within a complex system. When people use a road, for instance, it transcends its basic function and becomes part of an organized complexity reflecting collective choices. This dynamic illustrates how artifacts and rituals participate in broader systems of meaning. Rituals, whether in urban planning or religious practice, gain significance through collective participation and shared history, reinforcing a sense of connection to both the present and the past. Thus, traditions evolve, yet they provide comfort by linking us to the collective wisdom of those who came before.

Interconnectivity Transforms the Ordinary Summary: Perception of the world can meld objective components into a cohesive understanding. Each component, like a road, retains its individuality but becomes part of an organized complexity when in use. This interaction creates a collective wisdom that shapes societal frameworks, much like rituals evolve to represent shared experiences across time. There exists a tension between honoring traditional practices and adapting them to contemporary needs, prompting reflection on how and when to initiate change while preserving historical connections.

Understanding Complexity: The Cat or Toaster Dilemma Summary: Recognizing the nature of challenges and circumstances is essential for effective problem-solving. The distinction between scenarios—whether one can be disassembled and reassembled easily, like a toaster, or poses significant repercussions, like a cat—illustrates the complexity of situations we face. This complexity extends to issues like homelessness, where it is critical to understand the nuanced pathways leading to and from homelessness. Rather than viewing homelessness as a binary state, understanding the resilience and various factors involved, akin to a metabolic pathway, allows for a more comprehensive approach to support individuals transitioning in and out of difficult situations.

Freedom Fuels Innovation Summary: Economic prosperity hinges on the degree of individual freedom in the workforce. As societies develop, the concept of ‘slavery’ evolves; people become increasingly constrained by conditions that inhibit their ability to innovate and improve their work environment. Issues such as lack of portable healthcare force individuals to remain in jobs that limit their freedom, thus stifling economic growth. The ability to choose one’s work and adapt conditions, including personal comfort like bringing pets to work, plays a critical role in fostering a thriving economy. Ultimately, the distinction between work done by free individuals versus that done under constraints is vital for progress.

Prefer Quality Over Quantity Summary: Understanding information requires evaluating it through three lenses: quantity, potency, and quality. While simplicity provides potent insights and statistics offer high quantities, organic complexity yields the most valuable quality information. Wisdom is defined as valuing high-quality information above mere quantity or potency, highlighting the importance of discerning the nature of information to make well-informed decisions.