<p>In the geosciences, there are numerous phenomena and processes for which shapes, functions, and structures are important features that require in-depth analysis in order to fully understand the complexity of the phenomena involved and the properties of the underlying processes. The author's point of view is demonstrated here through a simple model in which system complexity is established by using principal features of Matheron–Serra's granulometry combined with Mandelbrot's multifractal information dimension approach in order to specify the underlying processes as well as the forces acting within the system. The complexity encountered in the various phenomena and processes relevant in the geosciences and allied fields depends on the degree of homothety between the underlying system and the force-field acting upon it.</p>