I bet all of the universe can be reduced down to, like, 10 basic patterns. One of them is the constant drive toward nodification and in response, the drive toward mass collectivization. Some good examples:
- Concentration of solar dust into balls which then create gravity wells that spawn rings of other floating nodes, solar systems.
- Individual's desire for concentration of political power into themselves and the resulting hydra of democracy, media, capitalism.
- Desire to bring in knowledge tends to result in a desire to share that knowledge.