What is The Common Vein?

The Common Vein is a
- web-based educational project that explores
- complex ideas through
- underlying principles and recurring patterns found in nature, biology, and culture.
- in order to bring understanding
At the heart of TCV is a foundational equation:
Each “1” represents a UNIT—
- an atom, molecule cell or organ as in biology
- a letter, word, sentence or a paragraph in literature cell
- musical notes bars to the music
- paint brush strokes to create a painting
- brick for architecture
- trees and flowers for the garden
The “+” represents the bond — connection, relationship, integration.
Together, they form a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts — this is the essence of unity.
The observation that the whole is greater than the parts is universal —
it appears in systems
from the atom to the universe.

Add in this section that the equation in words is “units to unity

A powerful and accessible example in human biology is conception:

Two cells, two “1”s, bond at the right place and time — and a new one is created.

To promote learning, understanding, and appreciation —
- not just of
  biology and medicine, but also of
- art, culture, and nature.
To frame these explorations within the
common framework
to enable the
- deep human need in the pursuit of wholeness —
- which is both concious and unconcious and includes the
- physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual.

TCV is designed for
- anyone seeking to
  - understand life,
  - from the lay person to
  - seasoned professionals and intellectuals .
How?
- TCV moves in stepwise fashion
- from simple concepts and basic truths to
- complex information
- using fewer words and more images.
  Its visual and conceptual clarity mirrors how learning unfolds in science, medicine, and culture.
- reflecting how understanding evolves
- in both
- science and human cultural endeavors.