Friction and Resistance

Yet another set of lessons on influence from analogies with physical force. This time it's about friction and resistance. Think about a two-sided kind of influence.

At the most basic level, frictional force opposes motion. The first useful thing to note is that there are several types of friction. This is useful because it is consistent with the observation that the forces that can slow one down in the journey of life cannot be placed into a single category. There are different types.

Of the several types of friction that can be identified, static and kinetic friction come closest to the other points I want to make here. Static friction exists between non-moving surfaces and kinetic friction arises as soon as there is relative motion between surfaces. This simple distinction leads me to the major points of this post.

By definition, static friction does not require motion for its existence; in fact, it actively prevents motion. While this property is of immense benefit in that it ensures that things can stay in place without sliding around, it also constitutes a huge disbenefit because it has no respect for dynamics. It has been said that good is often an enemy for best. What that means is that once someone starts to do well, there is a high level of static friction that needs to be overcome at that point because they tend not to see the need for higher levels of performance. That's the point where you hear people talk of 'attachment', 'comfort', 'satisfaction', 'just good enough', etc. And that is why many will resist change. (Doesn't that suggest that past achievements do not necessarily make good influence?)

Now, that static friction is useful because, just as a rolling stone gathers no moss, it is hard to achieve anything meaningful without staying in one place for some time. However, the static friction becomes a disbenefit because, even when it's time to move, it does not go away; in fact, it fights until it is overcome. The unfortunate part of it all is that many people simply give up too soon just because it seems nothing is moving though they're pushing so hard. Think about this. Suppose you placed your fridge in one corner and your furniture in another. You're fine with whatever amount of static friction is holding them in place as long as they are where you want them to be. Now suppose you suddenly saw the need one day to have them moved around. Then the static friction becomes an enemy! That's exactly how it works in real life as well. In my mother tongue there is a saying which essentially translates as 'nothing good wants to get done.' Most people, I know, will move the furniture and the fridge despite the friction; I wish I could say the same about the more important situations of life.

So much more can be written but I prefer to move on.

Consider, for one moment, what kinetic friction -as earlier defined - might imply. Many will think that two surfaces in contact need to be moving for there to be kinetic friction. That's only partly true. Kinetic friction just requires relative motion. This means that even when only one object is moving and the other is stationary there will be kinetic friction so long as they are in contact. The intriguing thing is that this friction is mutual - acting on both the moving and the stationary object. Thus, there should be little wonder why those who seem to be going nowhere with their life will tend to resist those who appear to be purposeful. Friction!

The next major point is the importance of understanding that there is something called a coefficient of friction. That is the constant quantity which determines how much friction will be at play between any two surfaces. The nice thing about this coefficient is that it depends, more than anything else, on the nature of the two surfaces. That's why lubrication can help to reduce friction because it temporarily alters the nature of the surfaces in contact.

However, lubrication is not a permanent solution to friction (and I don't know any so don't ask me). That's why lubricants need to be replenished. Also, lubricants do not guarantee perfectly smooth rides - they only reduce friction not remove it. Whatever you believe your lubricant is, never run short of supply, never go far away from your source. I can tell from my experience that God makes a great source.

Before wrapping up, it's crucial to point out that as negative as friction seems to sound, it is extremely beneficial. I have hinted earlier how static friction helps things to stay in place. Kinetic friction is the reason why we can run and not fall, why cars can ride and not skid, why wood can be planed, why floors can be scrubbed, and so on. Thus, for as long as one is wanting to make progress, there's going to be need for friction. For as long as one will need cleaning up - internally, I mean - there's always going to be friction. That, to me, is the single most important reason why breaking addictions is very difficult - specifically static friction.

The final thing I'd like the reader to note is the importance of contact. Friction, as a concept, is meaningless without physical contact. That's good news in the sense that whatever source of friction one experiences, reducing contact will always help. But one needs to be careful enough to tell when the friction is good or bad.

Influence from contact

In physics, the term 'applied force' could be used in reference to any type of force.  However, it is most often used when talking about the force that one person or an object directly applies to another person or object. All applied forces are contact forces. In other words, the source of the force must be in physical contact with its object. For instance, picking up a book from the floor, pushing or shoving someone and kicking a ball are all examples of applied force. As every action has an equal but opposite reaction, so does every source of force experience a counter-force from its object.

Applied force is parallel to what I call influence from contact. Just as an object acts upon and is acted upon by every other object in contact with it, so does a human being influence and come under the influence of everything to which he is exposed.

Little wonder, then, that parents and teachers and peers are considered very influential in human development. In fact, I personally consider it a big blessing for one to have good parents and teachers because they both constitute some of the most significant influences for every person, beginning from the first days of life. It is for this reason that they are worth following. However, as they teach, guide and lead, they are also influenced by the ones they influence. People suddenly become more attentive when they have children. Teachers often become irritant or pleasant depending on the responsiveness of their pupils. And, of course, we speak of peer pressure only because peers are influential, and
they don't do that from a distance.

Now, those are just two clear examples of how influence from contact works. One can think of many more. As a matter of fact, the bottomline is that everything - note, EVERYTHING not just EVERYONE - you come in contact with influences you one way or the other. This brings up the challenge of how to deal with the influence. If we realise and accept that the next date, the next meeting, the next conference, the next protest, the next programme will have an influence on our lives, then we will take seriously the kind of contacts we make. We will also take seriously how we respond to contact requests. The other side of the coin is that you play a role in the shaping of the things you come in contact with. If I were you, I would take seriously every activity I get involved in. Why? The specific answer to that you have to figure out by yourself; but the generic answer is that your role has an influence.

Next time the focus will be on friction and resistance.