I’ve been building my own web server and part of the process involves a method of storing information in an object called a class. Classes consist of three parts: A constructor that takes information from somewhere in the program, builds the class with it, and allocates space to store the class; a use phase where the program does what it needs to with said class; and a deconstructor that releases the class and gives what space it has borrowed back.
It's a pattern that struck me as significant. Every day we go through the same motions as a class. We take, we use, but how often do we put back? The cluttered man often misses this step. An unmade bed, a messy desk, or a counter colonized with objects destined for later use. All of us take and forget to give back. But it’s giving back that often does the most good.
Everything has a default state whether natural or created by us on its behalf.
• A bathroom is by default, clean. But as it’s used it grows dirty. At some point, effort must be made to restore it to its default. Otherwise, it’ll become untenable to use or break.
• Love requires compassion, empathy, and the willingness to compromise. Every couple gets in fights, but the ones that last take the time to get back to a sensible default. They deconstruct their problems, biases, and each other’s failings to build a stronger, healthier pair. We take from those we love but we give back to make our love stronger.
Deconstructing isn’t typically fun. Nobody likes cleaning bathrooms or hard conversations, but understanding that deconstruction is a necessary step of maintaining the wellbeing of our things and relationships is important. It makes the good times more meaningful; more fulfilling. It’s why I imagine service and volunteer work are popular. The Red Cross wouldn’t need to keep harassing me to donate blood if it was a fun, but the benefit of doing it far outweighs the cost for many people.
Deconstructors are a necessary evil in life. They represent all the difficult bits that are required to keep the fun parts going. They represent our lows, but without the work deconstructors do, there would be no highs.
Did this piece help you identify a pattern you hadn’t considered? Or have you already been thinking with deconstructors? Leave a comment below or reply if you’re reading this as an email.