Deep laziness is the tendency within all branches of science to observe the least labor or energy-intensive interactions possible. It is the reason why water flows downhill, why broken objects do not reassemble themselves, and why predators do not chase healthy prey. This is not to say that energy intensive events do not occur in the universe, it is merely to say that they will not occur if they don't have to. Deep laziness is a matter of constant adjustment. Consider [[the breath]]. It moves in and out without effort. Stopping the breath requires more effort than allowing it to flow of its own accord. Deep laziness requires a certain amount of pre-existing organization. A lion requires a skeleton and a [[Body]] in order to lay about in [[the sun]] and not chase a gazelle. But the gazelle supplies protein, and catching it requires energy. Below the level of the whole organism are layers of chemical and biological signaling that prompt the lion to hunt. This too is a form of deep laziness. Thus the lion moves slowly, stops and lays in wait, preserving its energy, until the gazelle is close and not paying attention. It leaps. It kills. It eats its fill. It leaves the remains for hyenas and vultures, who are too lazy to even hunt. The bones and viscera feed the worms and insects. At every level of this single event are processes that preserve the existing structure. The gazelle is not destroyed, it is merely recirculated. This is the [[Wisdom]] that drives the universe. The disassembly of one element within the system elaborates and reinforces the existing structure. It does not impose arbitrary order. This "[structure-preserving transformation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphism)" indicates one means by which nature expresses its [[intelligence]], and is a fundamental element of [[beauty]]. Deep laziness is an emergent property of [[complex adaptive systems]]. It is a mode of quiet ease in going about one's work. It is not necessarily a mode of creation and construction. From certain perspectives, decay can also preserve structure, provided it occurs in the same manner. Decay will reveal the layers of organization that underlay a system, particularly those that demonstrate [[resilience]] and reliability within it. These layers contribute to the broader [[Social Epistemology|collective understanding]] of the system itself. - A city's "charm" results from deep laziness. (built environment) - Money is a form of deep laziness. Money exists purely for its convenience. (economic → finance) - [[Shop Class as Soulcraft|Soulcraft]] - [[dasein]] may be a philosophical description of deep laziness. >If there is too much mess around you to see any structure, you can at least observe the pattern of your own [[the Self|soul]]. In terms of human behavior, deep laziness can be reframed as [effective laziness](https://www.ribbonfarm.com/2018/04/06/deep-laziness/). This is the same mode of being as that of the lion described above, elaborated upon to account for emotional and intellectual [[complexity]]. Individually this might show up as procrastination. Organizationally it appears in philosophies such as "just-in-time" organization and the LEAN methodology. In effective laziness, maintaining the physical, mental and emotional fitness (collectively described as wellness) of the worker is a means of maintaining the logistical structure of the corporation. #### Pursuing deep laziness 1. Identify "behavioral centers." These are personal dimensions that feel most like reflections of your own self, that seem to connect effortlessly to the underlying wholeness in your life. The most important ones tend to have been habituated and proven resilient over time. These might be activities, traits, qualities, preferences, a person, a place, style, yearnings, [[Dream Journal Home|dreams]], memories, times of day. A well-developed center is easy to identify; it produces joy, [[choiceless awareness|bliss]], or [[flow]]. * [ ] TODO What are my behavioral centers? It may be helpful to think of affect and behaviors together. 2. Elaborate the Centers * There is no perfect [[routine]], one that works unchanged, every season of the year. Behaviors must change according to each individual and their circumstances. Routines and rituals that evolve over time become more beautiful and meaningful as they undergo structure-preserving transitions. They are stripped of what is inessential, becoming better fit into life as a whole. * Amending a [[routine]] is a simple matter of noticing the misfit to time or emotional state, and adapting its structure in a way that strengthens it. 3. [[Repair]] or Allow to Decay * Some centers will recede while others increase in intensity. Even someone who prefers strict, stable routines must adapt to life changes. Maintain [[situational awareness|situation awareness]] and allow these changes to occur as necessary. Cultivate [[habits]] that address the new situation.