Introduction to the Method
“Square it, then rotate around it” is a powerful method designed to help you grasp the complexities of any situation by reducing it to its essence and then exploring it from multiple angles. This practice is not just a mental exercise; it’s a tool for understanding the patterns that underlie the challenges and circumstances we encounter in life. The key to this method is recognizing that every situation has a pattern that can be condensed into a single, concise value—a word or short phrase that encapsulates the essence of the experience. In this article, we will explore the application of this method using the example of traffic, which we will refer to as “The Traffic Pattern.”
Step 1: Condense the Situation to a Single Value
The first step in this method is to take the situation you’re in and condense it into a single value. This value should be a word or brief sentence that captures the essence of the situation. For example, when faced with a traffic jam, you might condense the situation down to the word “gridlock.” This word represents the core of what you’re experiencing, boiling down the complexity of the situation into a manageable concept.
It’s crucial to note that this condensed value is not a summary of all the details, but rather a distillation of the pattern itself. All situations in life already possess an underlying pattern, and by condensing it into a single, concise value, you begin to engage with that pattern more directly.
Step 2: Square the Condensed Value
Once you have condensed the situation into a single value, the next step is to “square it.” This means expanding your understanding from a one-dimensional view to a two-dimensional perspective, allowing you to see the entire pattern that was always present but perhaps not fully visible.
In the case of traffic, squaring the word “gridlock” involves visualizing the traffic pattern itself. Imagine looking at a map where you can see the roads, your position as a blue dot, and the flow of traffic indicated by colors—red for heavy congestion, yellow for moderate traffic, and green for free-flowing areas. Squaring it reveals the interconnectedness of the situation. You begin to see how your position and movements are part of a larger, more complex system. The pattern was always there, but squaring it allows you to see it in its entirety for the first time.
Step 3: Rotate Around the Pattern
With the squared pattern in view, you then start to rotate around it, examining the situation from different perspectives:
- 0 Degrees: At this point, you are looking at the edge of the pattern, still focused on the condensed value “gridlock.” From this angle, the map is invisible; all you see is the edge, and you can only understand the situation as a simple, one-dimensional problem. This is how most people perceive their situations—without recognizing the broader pattern they are part of.
- 90 Degrees: As you rotate to 90 degrees, you now see the full map. This is where the pattern reveals itself in all its complexity. You can see not just your position but the entire traffic flow, showing how you and others are interconnected within this system. At this stage, you place a “grain of sand” on the map—an exercise to remind you that this situation, like the grain, exists within a larger context that you are part of. This view highlights how your actions and those of others influence the flow of traffic. You see yourself not as separate from the traffic, but as an integral part of the traffic pattern itself.
- 180 Degrees: Rotating to 180 degrees brings you to the other edge of the pattern. Here, you practice empathy. You see the same pattern, but from another person’s perspective. Where you might have seen “gridlock,” they might describe it as “maniacs and idiots.” This exercise teaches you to appreciate that others are experiencing the same situation differently, based on their own condensed values. Empathy here means understanding that their frustrations and interpretations, although different, are still valid descriptions of the same pattern.
- 270 Degrees: At 270 degrees, you are looking at the bottom of the map, seeing it as a mirrored reflection. This perspective challenges your initial assumptions. You place the grain of sand on the map again, observing how it falls toward your feet. This exercise illustrates that the traffic pattern itself is neutral—neither good nor bad. The qualities of “good” or “bad” are simply interpretations we impose based on our orientation to the situation. Just as gravity acts on the grain of sand, the pattern of traffic is subject to forces beyond simple moral judgments. What we perceive as positive or negative is largely dependent on our viewpoint.
Conclusion: Applying the Method to Life
The “Square it, then rotate around it” method is not limited to understanding traffic patterns; it can be applied to any situation in life. By condensing a situation to its essence, squaring that essence to reveal the underlying pattern, and rotating around it to explore multiple perspectives, you gain a fuller, more empathetic understanding of your experiences. This method teaches you to recognize that you are always part of a larger pattern, interconnected with others, and that your perspective is just one of many. It encourages you to see beyond the surface and engage with the complexities of life in a deeper, more meaningful way.