Tied to the knots

A knot is a tight intertwining of threads, twine, ropes, or ribbons. Both climbing and sailing use very specific knots, resistant and easy to tie and untie. The knot is also a measure of navigation speed and is equivalent to 1 nautical mile (1,852 m)/h, and becomes an everyday item in our clothing, especially shoes and ties. We could say that somehow our body is made up of millions of tiny “knots”. Molecules are synthesized linearly (like strings), and adopt three-dimensional structures (like knots) to have biological functionality. We even have “knots” in the mind, strict ways of thinking that limit ourselves and allow us to pose puzzles. The Gordian knot, which according to legend was impossible to untie, was cut in one fell swoop by Alexander the Great’s sword in 333 BC. It is, therefore, an example of lateral thinking, of finding solutions beyond conventions. We live tied to knots but we also should know when to break ties.