There are a host of problems experienced in our daily lives that exhibit a complexity that we typically do not notice. For example, how does water squeeze out of a kitchen sponge, how does gelatin deform or how does wax cool and break?

On first consideration, one might consider these as curiosities of life, but when considered more deeply, not only do they demonstrate a physical and mathematical richness, but understanding them holds a wide range of consequences, from engineering materials to geophysics.

Moreover, there are a spate of compelling patterns that form in consequence of deformation.

In this talk I take a brief tour of some examples and their implications.