Unusual Blocks.
When I was younger I used to play with Lego(tm) blocks. Not so much lately, but I've been thinking about them a lot. There are two or three common basic kinds of block: two four and eight knob rectangular blocks in an assortment of colours. As useful as these blocks are, they are far more so when other less common blocks are incorporated. Base plates, pyramid shapes, odd, angular, extra tall/long, half height. Incorporating these blocks into a construction allows greater versatility and complexity. Any fool can see that.
Why then, in communities, do we discriminate against unusual blocks? Not all of us comply with the two, four, eight rectangular specifications. Some blocks are so odd looking that they appear to be of little use, but appearances can decieve. Insisting that such unusual blocks perform the function of common blocks is counter-productive in many cases. The distortion invloved in trying to conform impairs or destroys the unique qualities that make the unusual blocks so useful.
Ingenuity and opportunity combined with awareness of as many of the available blocks as possible leads to optimal building solutions. Opportunities offered by unusual blocks can not be realised without their use.
Unfortunately, majority blocks, knowing how they themselves work, and having that functionality reflected back to them by so many similar blocks who agree with them, form a very solid opinion about what a block should look like, what a block is for, and how it should be used. Unusual blocks cannot often perform the function of a common block, so are viewed as defective by the majority, who cannot, from their limited experience and capacity, understand the unusual capabilities of the unusual blocks.
Unusual blocks who have the capability to perform common block functions are more easily allowed to express their potential to do unusual things, but unusual blocks that can perform those functions are not often able to do truly extraordinary things. Truly extraordinary blocks are often 'rectified' to a point where they can function as slightly defective common blocks, which dramatically limits their potential.
On reflection, I see that unusual blocks often aggregate, and in such a company of examples of other unusual blocks, despair of ever conforming to common-block expectations can recede.
This kind of concentration of the unusual can give rise to some truly extraordinary structures, good and bad.
Still, it seems unfair to me that, to be accepted socially, unusual blocks are expected to comply with common block standards. I feel that there is a need for recognition and support of unusual blocks. Awareness and acceptance among the common block majority would reduce the potential-inhibiting pain that unusual blocks suffer, benifiting the whole lego box, in the end.
Why then, in communities, do we discriminate against unusual blocks? Not all of us comply with the two, four, eight rectangular specifications. Some blocks are so odd looking that they appear to be of little use, but appearances can decieve. Insisting that such unusual blocks perform the function of common blocks is counter-productive in many cases. The distortion invloved in trying to conform impairs or destroys the unique qualities that make the unusual blocks so useful.
Ingenuity and opportunity combined with awareness of as many of the available blocks as possible leads to optimal building solutions. Opportunities offered by unusual blocks can not be realised without their use.
Unfortunately, majority blocks, knowing how they themselves work, and having that functionality reflected back to them by so many similar blocks who agree with them, form a very solid opinion about what a block should look like, what a block is for, and how it should be used. Unusual blocks cannot often perform the function of a common block, so are viewed as defective by the majority, who cannot, from their limited experience and capacity, understand the unusual capabilities of the unusual blocks.
Unusual blocks who have the capability to perform common block functions are more easily allowed to express their potential to do unusual things, but unusual blocks that can perform those functions are not often able to do truly extraordinary things. Truly extraordinary blocks are often 'rectified' to a point where they can function as slightly defective common blocks, which dramatically limits their potential.
On reflection, I see that unusual blocks often aggregate, and in such a company of examples of other unusual blocks, despair of ever conforming to common-block expectations can recede.
This kind of concentration of the unusual can give rise to some truly extraordinary structures, good and bad.
Still, it seems unfair to me that, to be accepted socially, unusual blocks are expected to comply with common block standards. I feel that there is a need for recognition and support of unusual blocks. Awareness and acceptance among the common block majority would reduce the potential-inhibiting pain that unusual blocks suffer, benifiting the whole lego box, in the end.
posted by Jac | 6:28 pm
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