Forum discussion

[RIMB]

Taking the albatross metaphor a little mechanically further, although the wings are lighter than the body the extreme length of the wings still generates a considerable mechanical moment if any force is exerted on the wing tips, which will have a large twisting effect. So if a large force is applied at the extreme left or right wing, it can have the effect of creating extreme unbalance.

I'm making this up as I go, but hopefully you can follow my thinking in extending this to politics.

I understand exactly what you are saying - although mechanically it only takes a small amount of unequal pressure at either tip to create significant imbalance in the whole. Heavy pressure would be total destabilisation. Which also fits with your point.

It is also, quite coincidentally, the same reason you don't get an albatross to carry your groceries if you have an uneven number of bags.

 

[RIMB]

I understand exactly what you are saying - although mechanically it only takes a small amount of unequal pressure at either tip to create significant imbalance in the whole. Heavy pressure would be total destabilisation. Which also fits with your point.

It is also, quite coincidentally, the same reason you don't get an albatross to carry your groceries fi you have an uneven number of bags.

...and incidentally, I was going to use ostriches instead of penguins, emus and kiwis for the comparison species - with the inherent human meaning of being an ostrich equally relevant. But this is Green and Gold so I passed on that opportunity.

If anyone wants to write a political book they are welcome to use Albatrosses and Ostriches freely in form or title.

Green and Gold FC - the gift that keeps on giving.