Mental Models - Alloying 🔥
Issue #67
Today I bring you a short read about alloying, a useful model from physics.
What is an alloy?
Alloying is the process of creating an alloy.
I like this definition of an alloy:
An alloy is a metal that’s combined with other substances to create a new metal with superior properties. For example, the alloy may be stronger, harder, tougher, or more malleable than the original metal.
When an alloy is created the results is more than the sum of it’s parts. It’s a time when 1+1 equals more than 2.
Why is this interesting?
Alloying is interesting in a limited literal scope - it allows us to build amazing things - physical structures like bridges.
The idea of alloying is also interesting metaphorically. Think about social structures - have you ever been part of a really great team at work? Where the process of coming together allowed you all to build something much better than the sum of what you all could have done alone?
I also like the idea as applied to personal relationships - friendships, marriages etc. I read once that the reason you know you should marry someone is that you are the best version of yourself when you're with them.
The word synergy has a very similar meaning, but you might find thinking about alloying a bit more vivid.
It reminds me a bit of something Francis Bacon wrote, so I’ll leave you with his words on how wonderful it is to have a great person to “soundboard” something with:
Whosoever hath his mind fraught with many thoughts, his wits and understanding do clarify and break up, in the communicating and discoursing with another; he tosseth his thoughts more easily; he marshalleth them more orderly, he seeth how they look when they are turned into words: finally, he waxeth wiser than himself; and that more by an hour’s discourse, than by a day’s meditation.
Want to go deeper?
📖 Did this make you think of antifragility?
While alloys can symbolize the merging of strengths and capabilities, antifragility refers to the ability to transform and excel in the face of adversity. It deserves it’s own post, and it’s a must read book:
Antifragility is beyond resilience or robustness. The resilient resists shocks and stays the same; the antifragile gets better.
🧀 Alloying also makes me think of some food pairings, like tomato and basil, or chocolate and banana. This food pairing database and book is pretty cool.
Revisit related mental models
🧠 Build your latticework
Zero Sum Game some basic game theory
Action Bias our penchant for action