Path of least resistance
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| - | A '''desire path''' (also known as a '''desire line''', '''social trail''', '''goat track''' or '''bootleg trail''') is a path developed by [[erosion]] caused by footfall or by bicycle. The path usually represents the shortest or most easily navigated route between an origin and destination. The width and amount of erosion of the line represents the amount of demand. | + | The '''path of least resistance''' describes the physical or metaphorical pathway that provides the least [[wiktionary:resistance|resistance]] to forward motion by a given object or entity, among a set of alternative paths. The concept is often used to describe why an object or entity takes a given path. |
| - | Desire paths emerge as shortcuts where constructed ways take a [[circuitous]] route, have [[gap]]s or are [[lacking]] entirely. The paths take on an [[organic]]ally grown appearance by being unbiased toward existing constructed routes. | + | In [[physics]], the path of least resistance is always taken by objects moving through a system. For example, water flowing downhill follows the path of least resistance as it is pulled downward by [[gravity]]. [[Celestial body atmosphere|Atmospheric]] disturbances ([[storm]]s) flow on the path of least resistance by flowing toward zones of low [[barometric pressure]], where lower [[air density]] offers less impedance to the storm system than higher pressure zones. |
| - | Desire paths manifest on the surface of the earth where original movement by individuals indicates, thereby encouraging more travel. Explorers tread through [[foliage]] or grass, leaving a trail "[[of least resistance]]" for followers. | + | The path of least resistance is also used to describe certain human behaviors, although with much less specificity than in the strict physical sense. In these cases, resistance is often used as a [[metaphor]] for personal effort or confrontation; a person taking the path of least resistance avoids these. In library science and technical writing, information is ideally arranged for users according to the [[Principle of least effort]], or the '''path of least resistance'''. Recursive navigation systems are an example of this. |
| - | ==As historic antecedents to modern roads== | + | '''Note:''' The path of least resistance applies on a local, not global, reference. For example, water always flows downhill, regardless of whether briefly flowing uphill will help it gain a lower final altitude (with certain exceptions such as [[superfluid]]s). In physics, this phenomenon allows the formation of [[potential well]]s, where [[potential energy]] is stored because of a barrier restricting flow to a lower energy state. |
| - | Many [[street]]s in older cities began as desire paths, which evolved over the decades or centuries into the modern streets of today. | + | |
| - | The path of [[Interstate 95]] between the cities of Boston and Providence in the USA is said to have originated as a desire line in the form of a trail followed by 17th century Native Americans, which subsequently became a primitive turnpike and eventually a superhighway. | + | ==See also== |
| - | + | * [[Calculus of variations]] | |
| - | ==Other uses of the concept== | + | * [[Mountain pass theorem]] |
| - | The image of a user created path, in seeming defiance of authority, across the earth between the concrete, has captured the imagination of many as a metaphor for, variously, [[anarchism]], intuitive design, individual creativity, or the wisdom of crowds. (Examples referenced. | + | * [[Principle of least action]] |
| - | + | * [[Principle of least effort]] | |
| - | In [[Urban planning]], the concept of desire lines can be used when analyzing traffic patterns in any mode of travel. See, for example, its use in the 1959 Chicago Area Transportation Study to describe choices commuters made about railroad and subway trips. | + | * [[Variational principle]] |
| + | * [[Gradient descent]] | ||
| + | * [[Natural lines of drift]] | ||
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The path of least resistance describes the physical or metaphorical pathway that provides the least resistance to forward motion by a given object or entity, among a set of alternative paths. The concept is often used to describe why an object or entity takes a given path.
In physics, the path of least resistance is always taken by objects moving through a system. For example, water flowing downhill follows the path of least resistance as it is pulled downward by gravity. Atmospheric disturbances (storms) flow on the path of least resistance by flowing toward zones of low barometric pressure, where lower air density offers less impedance to the storm system than higher pressure zones.
The path of least resistance is also used to describe certain human behaviors, although with much less specificity than in the strict physical sense. In these cases, resistance is often used as a metaphor for personal effort or confrontation; a person taking the path of least resistance avoids these. In library science and technical writing, information is ideally arranged for users according to the Principle of least effort, or the path of least resistance. Recursive navigation systems are an example of this.
Note: The path of least resistance applies on a local, not global, reference. For example, water always flows downhill, regardless of whether briefly flowing uphill will help it gain a lower final altitude (with certain exceptions such as superfluids). In physics, this phenomenon allows the formation of potential wells, where potential energy is stored because of a barrier restricting flow to a lower energy state.
See also
- Calculus of variations
- Mountain pass theorem
- Principle of least action
- Principle of least effort
- Variational principle
- Gradient descent
- Natural lines of drift
