feedback loop
"A feedback loop is like a groove on a vinyl record and the more often it cycles through, repeating the same process, the deeper the groove becomes. The needle of the record player fits comfortably in that groove, enabling it to play the same song over and over and over without slipping out, turning that process into a habit."
"An example of a negative feedback loop is like sweating when you get hot. Positive feedback loops are typically due to human action and do not have a good outcome (Promotes instability.) Negative feedback loops occur most often occur in nature and promote stability."
"At the risk of being accused of being metaphor drunk, a large, all-encompassing, global feedback loop is like communism: on paper, it's the perfect solution; but in practice, the perfect nightmare. The more distinctive, quirky, and independent the elements encompassed, the worse the results"
"Feedback loops are typically used to accomplish regulation and control. A feedback loop is like an input, but its origin is from within the system itself, not from outside the system. In many systems, the output reenters the system as another input. This is exactly what happens with a microphone and speakers when the sound from the speakers feed back into the microphone, often causing a loud squeal."
METAMIA is a free database of analogy and metaphor. Anyone can contribute or search. The subject matter can be anything. Science is popular, but poetry is encouraged. The goal is to integrate our fluid muses with the stark literalism of a relational database. Metamia is like a girdle for your muses, a cognitive girdle.