# control (ability)

A pattern that persists through time and sets boundaries for how others can change.

- Computed level: L4 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: abstract  ·  Arena: emergence

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [pattern](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-pattern.regularity), [time](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-time.dimension), [boundary](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-boundary.limit), [others](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-others.distinct-entities), [change](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-change.process), [persist](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-persist.continue), [sets](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-sets.grouped)

**Through:** A persistent pattern acts through time to constrain the possible changes in others.

**Novel properties:**
- constraining agency
- enduring influence
- structured limitation

## Examples
- The International Space Station maintains its orbit with periodic reboosts to counter atmospheric drag. *(engineering)*
- The Federal Reserve adjusts interest rates to modulate inflation in the U.S. economy. *(economics)*
- DNA repair enzymes correct mutations to preserve genetic integrity across cell divisions. *(biology)*

## Used by
- [access](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-access.entry) (L5)
- [carrying](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-carrying.transporting) (L5)
- [copyright](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-copyright.legal) (L10)
- [director](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-director.leadership) (L14)
- [drive](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-drive.vehicle) (L5)
- [executive](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-executive.role) (L14)
- [free](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-free.unconstrained) (L5)
- [governance](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-governance.administrative) (L9)
- [head](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-head.body-part) (L14)
- [keep](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-keep.maintenance) (L5)
- [king](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-king.monarch) (L17)
- [let](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-let.permission) (L8)
- [management](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-management.administrative) (L16)
- [manager](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-manager.administrative) (L9)
- [policy](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-policy.governance) (L8)
- [president](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-president.political) (L14)
- [responsible](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-responsible.moral) (L21)
- [rules](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-rules.social) (L9)
- [training](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-training.skill) (L22)
- [use](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-use.application) (L6)

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-control.ability*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-control.ability.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*