MESO
What is meso homology?
Meso homology refers to intermediate sameness, usually on the middling scale (intervening level between macro and micro) of the phenomena under consideration, more particularly to matching the parametric characteristics of instances being compared. These entities are “designed alike” regarding their “anatomical” characteristics or “operational” procedures. Wing bones have the same meso homology as arm bones in various animals. Tires on cars, trucks, and battlefield troop carriers have the same meso homology. The first year university curricula for science students have the same meso homology almost everywhere in the world (a mathematics course, an introductory science course, an introductory social science course, a communications course, and an elective).
Not every detail has to be identical to qualify for meso homology – the entities must have the same kind of “configuration.” In practice what this means is that the “internal construction” must fit within the confines of a “generic template” that specifies what elements are present and what role they perform within the system under consideration. All load-bearing columns in buildings are designed and used according to certain structural standards (type of materials, strength of materials, use of fasteners, assembly of components, etc.).
How is meso homology used?
The utility of a meso comparison occurs when the main concern is primarily with structural parameters. The parameters are the “constants” in a system, with the “constant” aspect being the role they fulfill. There may be some variation in the way parameters are composed, but regardless of these variations they are constant in the service they provide to the system. In a building, vertical columns may be variously present as steel beams or reinforced concrete pillars, but their parametric role is to provide support for the entire structure, a service which they must perform if the building is to remain standing.
Meso homology is a deeper type of comparison than macro homology in that it looks “beneath the surface” of the phenomena in question. The point is to confirm that entities not only look alike, but to assure structural equivalence. The question guiding this assessment concerns how “deep” one has to look to find the presence (or absence) of the structural equivalence being sought after. Building and other structures are notorious for passing “safety tests” only to collapse shortly thereafter because the inspection was only superficial and did not adequately determine the viability of the parametric components concerned. Lives have been lost and professional careers ruined as a result of such incompetence. It is in such instances as these that “due diligence” must be a priority for inspections and safety tests. As technology has diminished natural risks, it has concomitantly increased the risks of infrastructural malfunctions.
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