An example of such an algorithm is the use of active contour.

Once we allow surgery, we allow multiply connected domains inside the same contour.

A contour map of economic activity in the world would show mountains of prosperity and many ravines of deprivation.

A contour map can show which type is more effective (both thermal efficiency and energy cost) for any geographic region.

And the Aha! was, what if we could take Brad Pitt, and we could put Brad in this device, and use this Contour process, and we could stipple on this phosphorescent makeup and put him under the black lights, and we could, in fact, scan him in real time performing Ekman's FACS poses.