### "Chapter 3: Cats and Washing Machines"

### "Chapter 3: Cats and Washing Machines"

"Chapter 3: Cats and Washing Machines" discusses the difference between organic and inorganic substances, particularly in relation to stress. Organic matter possesses **antifragility**, meaning stress can have a positive effect. On the other hand, inorganic substances like plates and automobiles are not fragile, but distinguishing between stress that enhances and stress that leads to degradation is essential.

For artificial materials to function as tissues or cells, they must be properly integrated, and understanding **antifragility** is crucial.

### "Aging and Adaptation"

Aging is not just about physical deterioration; the concept of "maladaptation" is also crucial. Adaptation to stress is key—too much or too little stress is detrimental. Ancient humans had high adaptability and could avoid maladaptation, whereas modern humans, despite increased life expectancy, are increasingly suffering from diseases.

This is particularly evident in vascular health. While indicators like blood pressure worsen over time in modern humans, hunter-gatherer societies maintain strong blood vessels until the end of life. In other words, the attempt to suppress "fragility" may actually be leading to vascular deterioration.

### "Stress and Information"

One characteristic of stress is "interdependence," which necessitates an ecological perspective. Identifying a singular cause is difficult for this reason. Additionally, stress is considered a form of "information"—too much or too little information is problematic, and an appropriate balance is necessary.

There is also an interdependence between bone density and aging. Rather than aging causing bone weakness, it may be that bone weakness accelerates aging. Furthermore, acute stress is said to be more beneficial than chronic stress.

Equilibrium points for stress do not exist; instead, there is constant random fluctuation. Attempting to suppress this fluctuation can lead to significant issues, particularly with the overuse of medications. Overmedicating children with antidepressants, for instance, may ultimately stifle creativity.

### "The Rejection of Purposefulness"

In discussions about stress, there is mention of how people improve their vocabulary while in prison. From an ecological perspective, this relates to the rejection of purposeful behavior. **From an antifragility standpoint**, excessive emphasis on purposefulness and planning may be counterproductive.

Tourists, for example, act according to plans, which means they are **distanced from randomness**. Humans inherently seek change and unpredictability. No matter how much wealth one possesses, a sip of water when thirsty remains the most satisfying.

### "Immortality and Planning"

If immortality were achieved, life would become entirely predictable, increasing anxiety. This aligns with Bergson's argument that "life cannot be explained through teleology." Overemphasizing planning and eliminating randomness ultimately leads to disastrous consequences for life itself.