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The mapping of particle routes amidst spatial fields, infinite or defined, is an all too liberating image I regret not envisioning more often. Perhaps observing a well-populated city section is adequate enough in providing an illustration of movements varied and undetermined. For like any good form of entertainment, the patterns of people and particles alike is a visually mesmerizing allegory for broader themes and theories. In this case, the idea of boundaries. Thus far we have exerted a significant amount of paragraphs in the discussion of shapes recognized and under-appreciated. This book is a project about shapes. Namely the movement of a bashful kind, referred to as piles. Yet all the metaphorical pile concoctions, theoretical takes on movement, and transportation instructions mentioned thus far have said little about the role of boundaries. In particular what do boundaries mean in relation to piles, movement, capitalism, and the defeat thereof? Let us consider a boundary as any obstacle (physical, legal, or imagined) inhibiting, diverting, or confining trajectories of any other object. Like aquariums to fish, atmospheres to gases, laws to citizens, and coastlines to travelers – boundaries exist too varied to avoid a vague definition. For purposes here, that is the relation between pile movement and capitalism, let us suppose boundaries consisting of two main types: natural and man-made. In particular, a consistent dominance of the former despite combative proliferation of the latter. |
Like prison cells, airfares, and grade-point averages – our society is inundated with man-made boundaries that limit and inhibit desires and directions. Capitalism itself, with it's systems of pricing and income inequalities, is an ultimate creator and advancer of boundaries. And while freedom and money, like the arenas of politics and economics they represent, may be interchangeably confused as aids in overcoming boundaries, the overwhelmingly dense dispersions of yellow tape and liabilities within the United States suggests the contrary. Drinking age laws, real-estate prices, restricted private spaces, restrictive public places, and interstate highways are all tools of movement suppression. The paradox of a free market.
It is interesting to note the role of natural boundaries in relation to legislative stacks and financial ceilings, or capitalistic boundaries intended to implement greater efficiency. Natural boundaries, like rivers, oceans, mountains, and trade winds resemble and act as piles; inhibiting the desired linear paths of capitalism. From the boat, to railways, to airplanes – technology has continually sought to overcome natural boundaries that inhibit distance and time optimization. In getting from point A to B, wandering seems to have faded as a form of travel. In favor we now employ predetermined and quantifiable options (see following image). Bridges over waterways and tunnels through mountains provide more direct routes than previously possible. The less time and energy exerted upon a task is not simply economic logic, it is a sensible goal for most. Perhaps approaching movement with a
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