After I had challenged them one evening with their preoccupation with linguistics to the exclusion of social anthropology, I found that my dissenting viewpoint was affirmed by many who had heard the lecture, and the academic affairs leadership later published a revised version of the paper. Some years later I heard Kenneth Pike recite a series of poems he had written on strings. Pike observed that a coil of string, such as the ball in my hand, contributes nothing in this state. The string is only valuable when it is drawn tight to achieve some useful purpose. One can use string to wrap a package, to bind two items together, or on a violin to create music.
Tension is the dynamic that enables string to function.
Let me read Pike's poems to you. In isolated state. Now, I'm held, Bound, not free but Wobbling in pain. String gives vibrant life, Not futile slack. Nor grieve When frightful bow draws Forth the haunting fear.