Asymmetrical (Redux)
Apart from information asymmetry (which the High Priest of Atlantis mentioned on Saturday night as well), there is another kind of asymmetry I've come to think about more and more. This is somatic asymmetry.
The word 'somatic' comes from Greek soma, which means 'body'. 'Psychosomatic' means 'pertaining to the link between mind and body', for example.
We're often taught that the body has bilateral symmetry; that is, the left side is a mirror image of the right. Various studies have shown that people think of symmetrical body-forms (somatotypes) as being more beautiful or aesthetically pleasing. So far, so good.
However, the body is actually asymmetrical from the beginning. Wherever the heart forms, the lung on that side becomes smaller; most people have a two-lobed left lung and a three-lobed right lung. On the side where the heart has formed, the stomach also grows; on the opposite side is the liver.
A careful look at all of your body will reveal that the body is actually casually and superficially symmetrical, but internally and on close examination slightly asymmetrical everywhere. Most people have one leg slightly shorter than the other, a preference for the right side over the left, and asymmetrical placement of organs one would think should occupy mirror-image locations. (Think of all the organs, glands etc which are paired. Now look at them and compare, where possible. You'll see this is true.)
This is consequences for many of the activities we take for granted. Our shoes wear away slightly more on one side, our musculature eventually suffers from compensating for different angles and masses on either side of the body. As the knees and other joints develop differently, the effect becomes more pronounced. By 40, most of us will be lopsided and think it perfectly normal.
It's part of diversity, I suppose. Diversity begins at home.
The word 'somatic' comes from Greek soma, which means 'body'. 'Psychosomatic' means 'pertaining to the link between mind and body', for example.
We're often taught that the body has bilateral symmetry; that is, the left side is a mirror image of the right. Various studies have shown that people think of symmetrical body-forms (somatotypes) as being more beautiful or aesthetically pleasing. So far, so good.
However, the body is actually asymmetrical from the beginning. Wherever the heart forms, the lung on that side becomes smaller; most people have a two-lobed left lung and a three-lobed right lung. On the side where the heart has formed, the stomach also grows; on the opposite side is the liver.
A careful look at all of your body will reveal that the body is actually casually and superficially symmetrical, but internally and on close examination slightly asymmetrical everywhere. Most people have one leg slightly shorter than the other, a preference for the right side over the left, and asymmetrical placement of organs one would think should occupy mirror-image locations. (Think of all the organs, glands etc which are paired. Now look at them and compare, where possible. You'll see this is true.)
This is consequences for many of the activities we take for granted. Our shoes wear away slightly more on one side, our musculature eventually suffers from compensating for different angles and masses on either side of the body. As the knees and other joints develop differently, the effect becomes more pronounced. By 40, most of us will be lopsided and think it perfectly normal.
It's part of diversity, I suppose. Diversity begins at home.
etched with acid at 10:13:00 am
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