Patterns & Metaphors
Orbiting in space
Template:
For a body to maintain its position relative to another body in space, especially a much larger one, it must revolve around it in an orbit. Orbits may be circular in theory but are usually elliptical in practice. Orbits vary greatly in degree of eccentricity.
Metaphor:
In society smaller groups may maintain an orbit around a larger group to whose activities they are primarily attracted but from which they wish to remain distinct.
[Features] Stability is ensured by ensuring that the continuing process of attraction towards the larger centre is displaced around it such that the attraction is renewed and fulfilled thus postponing any final degradation of the orbit.
[Contrast] In societal development there is little sensitivity to the range of orbits or the range of eccentricities or periodicities. Nor is there much awareness of the conditions required to maintain stable orbits as a bases for action of a different nature.
[Keys] Free fall, orbital escape velocity, changing orbit, difficulty of interaction between different orbits, captive orbit; insertion into a selected orbit.<
