We seem to expect efficient and optimal things to look low-entropy. Ie symmetric and orderly. This is only true in degenerate cases like squares tiling an integer multiple larger square. Mostly efficient and optimal = embodies requisite variety = looks disorderly/high entropy
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Symmetry and order are in fact usually signs of surplus and slack. Or serve a signaling purpose. Animal bodies are the main apparent exception where symmetry happens to be part of mechanical optimality for mobility
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I’m trying to recall a recentish (last few decades) result from geometry where the closest packing or tesselation of some space turned out to be weirdly non-uniform and arbitrary looking. Anyone know what I’m thinking of?
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Seeing that this is the best way we know to fit this many equal squares inside a square makes me feel a bit better about struggling to fit the plates in the dishwasher!
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