Many theories assume the existence of a cycle, like the social cycle theory, business cycle theory, product life-cycle theory, Milankovitch climate cycles, Strauss–Howe generational theory (eg, my July 7 blog), intelligence cycle, and the cycle of abuse. Hence, my question: is everything part of a cycle?
The exception might be Time (eg, the arrow of Time) and/or light (ie, electromagnetic radiation), unless the shape of the Universe is “round”. I’m referring to cosmic microwave background radiation for calculating the age of our Universe. Our sunlight is part of our day & night and astronomical cycle.
I could have used triangle instead of cycle. An inflated triangle basically becomes a cycle.
Several articles claim that a circle symbolizes “perfection and serenity” and/or represents “infinity, wholeness, and unity”.
“The triangle can represent the concept of the past, the present, and the future. At the same time, it can represent the spirit, the mind, and the body.” (source)
Sometimes, a circle and a triangle are combined in which the circle is either inside or outside the triangle. Several meanings are attributed to such symbols.
The essence of any cycle is circularity, a concept that we are usually quite skeptical about (eg, history repeats itself also known as historic recurrence). The obvious next question is: how long does history repeat itself? Even history has a cycle and/or triangle: history, legends & myths.
“Hypothetically, in the extreme, the concept of historic recurrence assumes the form of the Doctrine of Eternal Recurrence, which has been written about in various forms since antiquity and was described in the 19th century by Heinrich Heine and Friedrich Nietzsche.”
Second paragraph of Wiki article on historic recurrence
Given our eternal skepticism, the following quote feels appropriate:
“Humans were so circular; they lived the same slow cycles of joy and misery over and over, never learning. Every lesson in the universe had to be taught billions of times, and it never stuck.”
A quote by Maggie Stiefvater, an American writer
Cycles (1968) by Frank Sinatra
artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-artist, Wiki-album+song
There isn’t much that I have learned
Through all my foolish years
Except that life keeps runnin’ in cycles
First there’s laughter, then those tears
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless in quotes or stated otherwise.
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