# holding it together (upkeep)

*Ordinarily means:* keeping something from falling apart or breaking down

Work that holds the parameters of a thing inside its window when drift is already pressing on multiple boundaries, and the only thing preventing collapse is ongoing effort that does not fix the underlying strain.

- Computed level: L15 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: everyday phrase  ·  Arena: emergence

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [work](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-work.effort), [window](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-window.range), [drift](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-drift.aimless), [boundary](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-boundary.limit), [maintenance](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-maintenance.upkeep), [strain](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-strain.measurable-degradation)

**Through:** maintenance

**Novel properties:**
- invisible maintenance

## Examples
- The International Space Station requires weekly reboosts to counter atmospheric drag and avoid orbital decay. *(engineering)*
- Puerto Rico's power grid operated for years on emergency repairs after Hurricane Maria, with frequent blackouts. *(institutions)*
- A septic tank in rural Maine is pumped every three years to prevent overflow, though the drain field is failing. *(everyday life)*

## Used by
- [duct tape](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-duct-tape.upkeep) (L16)

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