Trim Tab: Little Efforts / Big Differences

THE TRIM TAB*

​

HOW TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

​

WITH A SEEMINGLY SMALL EFFORT

 

~

 

BY ONE WHO NOT ONLY DID BUT, IN FACT, POINTED THE WAY

​

AND Has Inspired Many Others to this Day.

 

“As a tiny sliver of metal [Trim Tab*] can alter the course of a great ship of state, you and I as little individuals can change the course of humanity.”

 

Buckminister Fuller

 

Above all, in the seemingly most hopeless, most discouraging of times. If we know what we’re doing, put our heart and good will into such service.

 

* As in “trim the sail” in sailor parlance/language. That is: adjust the sail to the changing winds

(pull the sail in or let it out), in order to stay on course, and continue safely to ones destination.

​

 

~ ~ ~

 

​

Imagine, if you will, the largest of battle ships, the USS Ford, or an ocean liner, such as The Queen Elizabeth, that are over 1,000 feet, 3 football fields long.

 

Imagine the force required to steer such a ship, above all in the “high seas” going against the wind and swelling currents. Can you imagine? Is the picture clear . . . ? How can one turn such a “leviathan” (vessel), if need be, “on a dime” — in order to avoid an iceberg?

 

Glance again at the ship (with your mind’s eye). Standing on the dock, you watch as the whole vessel goes by, and then at the very end comes . . . ? The rudder, which appears to steer the ship.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​

Glance more closely . . . . At the end of the rudder, if visible, is a smaller rudder called the trim or Trim Tab.*

 

I trust the picture is clear.

 

~ ~ ~

​

 

As the ships grew in size with our navel aspirations/conquests, their steering mechanisms required more power than their engines alone could produce, in order to turn their rudders.

 

Makes sense?

 

In the large ships the rudder can be as many as 10 stories high and, thus, not easy to turn amidst the “high seas” spoken of.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​This is where the Trim Tab or trim comes in.

 

The Trim Tab is (as glimpsed) a small strip of metal that — thanks to Buckminster Fuller’s invention/genius — is attached by hinges at the end or trailing edge of the ship’s rudder.

 

At the wheel, the ship’s pilot steers the vessel, in order to stay on the course that has been charted. (Let’s bring to mind, alongside this consideration, our “Ship of State” and its pilots.)

 

When the captain turns the ship's wheel, the wheel turns the Trim Tab; the Trim Tab turns the rudder. And . . . . only then does the rudder turn the ship. The point being: The Trim Tab or trim is the little lever that makes the BIG difference.

 

How so?

 

Moving the small Trim builds a low pressure (creates a partial vacuum) that, as we will see, reduces the resistance against the larger rudder and, thereby, draws/ pulls that rudder around.

 

If this isn’t entirely clear, imagine that you’re sitting in the middle of a shallow mountain stream, with water streaming around you on both sides . . . . Would you be surprised to discover that the water directly behind you, your body (that serves as a dam) is stiller, provides a lull for a weary fish to “catch its breath”?

 

If the picture is clear, the question arises: Might you, in fact, be a potential Trim Tab, not only in the mountain stream we’ve envisioned, but in the broader flow of life itself?

 

That is, might the well considered and good hearted resistance you offer, rightly done, set things in an otherwise entirely unimagined direction, flow . . . ? Toward what end? What can you imagine?

 

We will have more to say on this matter.

​

~ ~ ~

​

 

The foregoing is a simple example of the Trim Tab principle. More technically expressed, as an engine's hydraulics force the Trim Tab into the path of oncoming water, the very pressure, itself, that is generated against the Trim Tab actually assists the rudder in making its turn.

​

Given the significance of this point, not only for ships on the “high seas” but for our “Ship of State” itself (which looms up before us) let us make sure the point is clear.

 

^ A Trim Tab moves directly into the currents that oppose it. (Clear so far?)

 

^ It actually uses opposition, adversity, and resistance to accomplish its goal. (And further?)

 

^ That is, a Trim Tab relies on the forces pressing against it to leverage its power. (Needless to say, this approach is as uncommon as it has proven to be effective.)

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​​

​In the case of the ship, rather than getting up front on the other side and trying to push the bow of the ship in the direction intended, you build that low pressure at the back by diverting the flow. Slight pressure on the Trim Tab moves the rudder, which, in turn, directs the ship.

​

In the case of life, the ship of state, what would inspire the “decision makers” (noted in the preceding image) to be moved by what you might offer? What, indeed, would move you were you in their shoes?

 

Might the answer have to do not only with the what you’re proposing (i.e. that you know what you’re talking about, the situation you’re seeking to address, have the facts), but with the why and how thereto?

 

That is, the effort you’re making arises out a sincere and genuine interest, the commitment to serve. And you’re proceeding in a way that is truly respectful, good willed. Buckminster Fuller used the word “integrity.”

 

Can it be as simple, and significant, as that? Might the “decision makers” at the “rudder” of our “Ship of State,” in fact be awaiting such a trim for their sails — aided and abetted by the prevailing “winds” spoken of on the page entitled, “Amazing Grace”?

 

Such a Tab” can be as effective on land, in life itself, as it is at sea. Any and everyone committed to public service can be a Trim Tab, tiny pivots that affect the greater direction, flow.

 

You don’t have to turn the weight of civilization, but you can lend a hand, be part of the turning. Even seemingly small actions can contribute to greater societal shifts.

 

That, indeed, is what “The Citizens Movement” is about: Servantship.

​

 

~

​

​

Concluding, let’s sum up the Trim Tab philosophy, in the words of one of Buckminster Fuller’s inspired students, its qualities and characteristics.

 

Move Into the Current

 

As noted, a Trim Tab moves directly into the currents, the flow that appear to oppose it, using opposition, adversity, and resistance to accomplish its goal. A Trimtab relies on the forces pressing against it to leverage its power.

 

The point being: How do we respond to, engage the seeming opposition? Can you envision embracing resistance instead of fighting, dismissing or ignoring it?

​​

​Stay Straight and True

 

A Trim Tab remains straight and true when the pressure is on to go with the flow. In human terms that is, in fact, what makes our efforts admirable for many conscionable “decision makers”.

 

Full Range of Movement

 

A Trim Tab engages in a full range of movement. Although its composition is rigid, its hinges are flexible, and it is this freedom of movement that gives a Trim Tab its true power.

 

A Trim Tab is for the Hearty of Heart

 

Such a tab is for those who realize that the fear of failing is less important than the possibility of making a difference. Clear?

 

We give the final word to the inventor of the Trim Tab, and to his great, great aunt, who inspired Bucky’s labors:

 

So I concluded that the little individual can be a Trim Tab. Society thinks it’s going right by you [like the ocean currents themselves], that it’s left you altogether [in the wake]. But . . . . if you’re doing dynamic things mentally [are inspired], the fact is that you can just put your foot out [Trim Tab] . . . . and the great ship of state is going to go your way [follow suit]. So I said:

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​

 

 

 

“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it.”

 

Margaret Fuller, Emerson’s intrepid “sister” and counselor

 

~ ~ ~​​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​