# tough (resilient)

a parameter whose window is wide but has poor performance across most of its range, where persistence is maintained through reduced quality

- Computed level: L17 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: window  ·  Arena: engineering

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [window](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-window.range), [parameter](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-parameter.condition), [drift](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-drift.aimless), [performance](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-performance.quality), [maintenance](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-maintenance.upkeep), [persistence](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-persistence.endurance), [quality](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-quality.value), [range](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-range.spatial), [wide](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-wide.spatial), [across](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-across.spatial)

**Through:** The components together describe a parameter’s broad tolerance for change, where persistence occurs despite low-quality outcomes across much of its span due to passive endurance rather than active control.

**Novel properties:**
- wide tolerance with low performance
- persistence through diminished quality
- endurance amid spatial drift

## Examples
- The International Space Station maintains orbit between 370–460 km despite constant atmospheric drag requiring reboosts. *(engineering)*
- The US power grid operates across a wide frequency range but suffers chronic instability and regional blackouts. *(infrastructure)*
- Sahara Desert camel caravans persist for weeks with minimal water, covering vast distances at reduced speed. *(transport)*

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