It’s long been understood that animal trails follow the lowest energy route.
Two other observations from the natural world:
- Passive movement is along the path of least resistance. Consider water and electricity.
- Creatures (from single cells to the most sophisticated animals and plants) respond to gradients. They move towards water, nutrients, light, attractive pheromones, prey. They move away from toxins, and predators. Plants and trees, which have limited movement ability, still respond powerfully to gradients – roots grow towards water and nutrients, and shoots and leaves orient to light.
A large fraction of all creature behavior can be explained by energy conservation, paths of least resistance, and response to gradients.
Consider how many of our worst human impulses are failure to respond in healthy ways to these parameters. We indulge in known toxins. We ignore signals that others are preying on us. Instead of gravitating towards the light we cherish the darkness. We seek out the wrong kinds of stimulation. We burn energy foolishly rather than getting rest and recovery we need.
It’s a reminder that we need to be taught how to sense and respond to gradients correctly. We seem deeply wired to ignore them or respond backwards.
You can apply this to your own situation. Ask yourself “What gradients am I navigating correctly? Where am I ignoring the behaviors which let me thrive as I’m designed to?”
