hierarchy and scales of things – here foods “multi-component materials that consist at least of proteins, carbohydrates, fat and water” serve not only as a means of control (pecking orders in organizations) but the higher levels serve as protectors for the lower levels (*when functioning)
atoms serve as protectors for the subatomic
organisms shield internal biochemical processes from the outside world, giving a buffered environment within which they can function (in support of the organism generally, sometimes not)
different modalities, different types or kinds often are emergent properties stemming from predictable (regular, wave-like, cyclical) actions (properties) happening at smaller scales. Inbetween is sometimes a kind of skin or interface zone or mixing scale where there is confusion and creation as well
Random thoughts on a theme