MODULE 2

• Systems work by producing their own pattern of behavior over time
• Systems can be shifted into better behavior patterns
• SYSTEM


  A set of things interconnected in such a way that they produce their own pattern of behavior over time
• 2 KINDS OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE

  • Analysis
  • Experience
• FEEDBACK DELAYS: The time a problem becomes apparent, it may be unnecessarily difficult to solve
• COMPETITIVE EXCLUSION PRINCIPLE: If a reinforcing feedback loop rewards the winner of a competition with the means to win further competitions, the result will be the elimination of all but a few competitors
• SYSTEMS PROBLEMS: Undesirable behaviors characteristic of the system structures that produce them
• SYSTEMS ZOO: Collection of some common and interesting types of systems
• ARCHETYPES: Common structures that produce characteristic behaviors
• SYSTEM


  An interconnected set of elements that is coherently organized in a way that achieves something
• Many interconnections in systems operate through the flow of information
• FUNCTION


  Nonhuman system
• PURPOSE


  Human
• The most crucial determinant of the system's behavior is changing interconnections
• Elements are often least important in defining the unique characteristics of the system
• STOCK


  Foundation of any system
• FLOW


  Causes the change of stocks over time
• DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM


  Stocks do not change
• A stock can be increased by decreasing its outflow rate as well as by increasing its inflow rate
• Changes in stocks set the pace of the dynamics of systems
• Time lags from slowly changing stocks can cause problems in systems but can also be sources of stability
• Stocks allow inflows and outflows to be decoupled and temporarily out of balance with each other
• FEEDBACK


  How the system runs itself
• CONTROL MECHANISM


  Controls stocks
• FEEDBACK LOOP


  Operates the mechanism
• Not all systems have feedback loops
• STABILIZING LOOPS - BALANCING FEEDBACK: The stock level may not remain completely fixed, but it stays within an acceptable range
• BALANCING FEEDBACK LOOP


  Stabilizing, goal-seeking, regulating loop
• RUNAWAY LOOPS - REINFORCING FEEDBACK: A vicious or virtuous circle that can cause healthy growth or runaway destruction
• REINFORCING FEEDBACK LOOP


  Amplifying, reinforcing, self-multiplying, snowballing
• Systems and sources of stability and resistance to change

  Both sources of stability and sources of resistance to change
• Runaway loops


  • Amplifying, reinforcing, self-multiplying, snowballing
• Reinforcing feedback loop


  • A vicious or virtuous circle that can cause healthy growth or runaway destruction
  • Generates more input to a stock the more that is already there
  • Self-enhancing, leading to exponential growth or to runaway collapses over time
• Non-feedback decisions include falling in love and suicide
• Doubling time


  Time it takes for an exponentially growing stock to double in size
• Approximately 70 / (growth rate percentage) is the formula for doubling time
• Ecology


  Study of "life at home" with emphasis on "the totality or pattern of relations between organisms and their environment"
• Economics


  "Management of the household"
• Many people view ecologists and economists as adversaries with antithetical visions


  Perceived differences between economics and ecology
• Perceived differences between economics and ecology

  • Economics
  • Ecology