MENTAL MODEL · M12857

Utterly Unrelated

SystemsmediumSystems Theory

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Updated 2026-08-10

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INTRODUCTION

English translation pending.

CORE DEFINITION

The phrase, from a Spring and Autumn diplomatic speech, noted that Qi and Chu lay so far apart that even a stallion and a mare in heat would not cross into each other's territory, and it describes things with no relation whatsoever. As a design principle its core claim is orthogonality: modules should stand as unrelated as possible, so that a failure in module A does not affect module B and changing A does not force changes in B. The condition is that necessary integration still be allowed, since real modules often need measured cooperation.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

- List the concerns: for each module, write what it changes and what it depends on. - Check the spread: verify that a change to one module does not force edits in another. - Decouple the hot spots: insert interfaces or isolation where coupling is strongest.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

The original image of two states too distant for even driven horses to reach each other's borders carries over as orthogonality: two dimensions or modules stand independent, so changing one does not change the other, which minimizes coupling across the system.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

When designing a system or dividing duties, list each module's concerns. 2. Check whether a change to one module ripples into others. 3. Decouple the strongly coupled spots or introduce interface isolation. 4. Use changing A without touching B as the acceptance test.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

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Source support: Explicit

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zh.wikisource.orghttps://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E6%98%A5%E7%A7%8B%E5%B7%A6%E6%B0%8F%E5%82%B3/%E5%83%96%E5%85%ACZH · Explicit
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