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.
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.
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