Heterogeneity
"We need many forms of government. We need many religions. We need many operating systems. We need many car manufacturers. We especially need people who disagree with me." -- Robert Benelux
Variety is more than just the spice of life.
I am one of those people that like a single answer; a best way. Programming has what are called "design patterns", which are frequently-used ways of solving common problems. An easy, practical, and non-programming example is a solution to the problem of passing through walls. The most commonly-used design pattern in this case is a door.
But in nature there usually exist many solutions to the same or similar problems. Many many solutions. Some of them are quite similar, but not identical.
This is a very good thing, and important, because if one solution doesn't work out, for whatever reason, there are others that may yet succeed.
This is heterogeneity, or diversity, and Robert was a very strong advocate of it.
