Beauty in differences

Imagine a world of a single color, or shades of gray. That would have been pretty dull, simply put. How can contrasts, colors at very different wavelengths come together in a specific way and look pretty? A pink rose popping on a green stem, the moon light in midnight darkness, white cloud on blue sky, mallard on a pond, coral reef underwater, snow piled on brown tree branches. What is it that the human eye or the aesthetic pleasure center in the brain is looking for? What is it that we are chasing when we spend money to visit some unique sight seeing places?

Or a piece of music playing the same note.. even if at varying rhythm, same note will be boring after a while. How can a specific combination of notes make “music”, does not itch ears, or even reach the pleasure state in the brain? 

There is a craving for variability to hit the aesthetic pleasure. 

Hardship in differences

At the same time, when one color or style is off, we can spot it and say this does not fit with the rest. So we need things to vary but still come from a set of suitable candidates. So the distribution has constraints. Variability within limits. There is still a craving for harmony. 

How do these observed tendencies impact human behavior? I could be a little different, but still should be in general agreement with the rest. What would it cost to be unique and fearless? There is a Turkish saying, for a sheep that leaves the herd, would be captured by a wolf. 

How about opinions or different practice? Do they always mean conflict, disapproval or a force to change the other? Could we feel perfectly content in a room full of ideas pulling in different directions? 

Beauty in hardship

How does rarity also add to the definition of beauty? A rare emerald stone is definitely more expensive but does that mean it is more beautiful? Outliers can also earn a special spot. 

Would we have enjoyed our lives if there was no hardship? “Congratulations you won” on everything, all traffic lights are green, nothing to worry about, maybe nothing to try harder for and nothing to look forward to. 

There is a harmony of the balance of differences and hardships that keep life interesting and challenging to pursue. Maybe this is tailored to human brain, maybe human brain adopted to this heterogeneity. 

What is different for you today? Did you notice any beauty in it? What was a hardship that you actually enjoyed? I would love to hear your perspective 👍