Ordinarily we think of patterns as rather superficial repetitive designs with no particular function or meaning. However, the real "power" of patterns and pattern thinking lies in understanding the functions and meanings of patterns that are fundamental to our biophysical world, our minds, cultures, and technology. Pattern thinking crosses disciplines and contexts and probes into the depth of connections and interactions of various kinds.
Metapatterns, a term coined by Gregory Bateson, in particular are broad, overarching patterns. Tyler Volk explored such patterns in greater depth in trying to identify such broad patterns as fundamental to evolutionary convergence and divergence. Further information, along with a list of metapatterns, are available through the links, below.
Videos
- Metapatterns Videos — by Tyler Volk
- The Pattern Which Connects — by Christopher Kinman
- The Patterns That Connect — by Darren Owen & Omega Pointe Productions
- Shapes of Stories — by Kurt Vonnegut
- Secrets of Movement — a TED talk by Robert Full
- Anti-Gravity Sculpture — a TED talk by Tom Shannon — patterns and sculpture
- Organic Designs — a TED talk by Ross Lovegrove
- Using Nature's Genius in Architecture — a TED talk by Michael Pawlyn
- African Fractals — a TED talk by Ron Eglash
- Ways of Seeing — a TED talk by Rob Forbes
- Doodling in Math Class — a video series by Vihart on YouTube (Fibonacci sequences and more)