Template:Form and substance capsule

Form versus substance in a nutshell

Form is the map: simplified, rationalised, modularised: it establishes through followable rules, a safe passage through the incomprehensible thickness of the jungle. It tries to reduces complexity to complication by prescribing fixed rules and procedures which maybe followed even by those with no particular experience or expertise of the territory. The only judgment made of one in a formal system is, did you faithfully follow the rules?

Substance is the territory: the fractal, inchoate, interdeterminate, dancing, organic mass of messiness in which we are consigned to play our mortal games. Unless you have a map, there is only one way to navigate the territory: by knowing it. Someone who knows the territory — an expert — doesn’t need maps, and is liable to be frustrated by people who insist on using them for simple journeys.

For the inexpert, maps, tickable boxes, checkable checklists, and auditable trails, give them comfort that they are safe from harm. They take the easy road: rather than evaluate the qualities of their environment, they tally up its countable dimensions and proceed on that limited account.