"All fixed set patterns are incapable of adaptability or pliability. The truth is outside of all fixed patterns." - Bruce Lee
A fixed set pattern is rigid and unpliable. Things are done in a particularly way because it has always been this way or because of the adherance to dogma.
An open system (which is inherently not a fixed set pattern) on the other hand is adaptive. There is a constant exchange of energy and matter from the surrounding environment. It is the same for nature, for society, for humans and all other life organisms. Indeed most of the systems within the human body such as the respiratory system, digestive system and so on work on the same basis.
An open system responds to external stimuli, in conjunction with its environment and other feedback mechansms. It is constantly and continuously open to influence in order to meet its desired objective and to deal with exceptions when it can't meet that objective.
Computers?
When I worked as a computer programmer - the analysis would involve trying to keep these computer systems as self-contained as possible. Closed systems with rigid fixed set patterns. There would also be emphasis on providing many layers of abstraction to simplify operation and to aid in troubleshooting issues. This will theoretically reduce bugs and so makes it easier to provide solutions to known exceptions (errors). Unfortunately even with the best will in the world - if an unknown situation occurs during the execution of these programs (otherwise known as an unhandled exception) - the system will crash.
I feel sure that as the human body is an open system then our attitude to programming for our training and playouts should work on that basis too. To be able to deal with the known tasks but also the unknown and exceptional tasks. Do you only want to be able to do what you have trained for?
Deadlift
If I can deadlift an olympic bar off the ground, but can't adapt to lifting an individual or a sack of sweet potatoes off the ground then my deadlift is limited outside the world of olympic lifting.
What if I can only pick the weight up off the ground but can't carry it or set it down gently because I have to drop the weight immediately? The deadlift only then serves the purpose of picking something up - but is not truly functional in a practical sense when you think about it.
It doesn't mean deadlifting using an olympic bar is invalid, but for most who deadlift this way: they will only ever deadlift this way.
Even with a basic movement such as the deadlift we can easily demonstrate limitations if we only focus on that set movement pattern, using the same stance, grip and object. Instead use your imagination and apply variance and modify variables other than time, volume, speed, sets and reps.
Don't make something overly complex when a simpler variant will do. Be responsive to change, reactive to many stumuli and to be adaptable rather than adapted.
These were some of my thoughts around the Fitness Explorer philosophy of PRIMALity. To be open, to be curious, to analyse and to never stop questioning - if nothing else it makes the fitness exploration even more interesting...