The Concept of Supportance

An Ecological Approach to Social Support and Beyond

by Oliver Ding

2021

This article is part of Oliver Ding’s 2021 book draft, Platform for Development: The Ecology of Adult Development in the 21st Century.

One year ago, I used the above picture for a design project. I recently found it has a new meaning for me. This time, I use it as a story for developing a theoretical concept: Supportance.

Two women are standing on the beach by the sea, carrying a big picture frame. It is a normal sense. How can I use it for theoretical development?

Let’s consider it as a minimal collective activity. There are at least three people here: the two women carrying the frame, and a photographer taking the picture. It is worth noting that any one of these three people is an indispensable component of the activity. Without the photographer, no one would come to take this picture. If there is only one woman, she can’t carry such a big picture frame, thus this shooting activity — taking such a specific photo — can’t be accomplished.