Systems thinking promises to give us a toolkit to design complex systems that work from the ground up. It fails because it ignores that systems fight back.
It suggests that reform existing structures is not worth it if it’s even possible, which we already know but it’s nice to see those theoretical back as well. It also suggests that we should start from the bottom up and make small systems that work, and make planetarily scalable the fact I doing so might actually be the most effective way is encouraging because it’s a lot easier to get started on
Agreed it’s validating that systems theory seems to back the idea that small purposeful steps are not only easier but more efficient overall vs reforming an existing complex system. If we keep in mind scalability and interoperability we can attack issues like water or food distribution one step at a time and expand and connect as the network grows. If someday that network starts to fail for whatever reason we do it again from the ground up.
It also suggests that systems have a finite life span and that we shouldn’t be afraid to chop them down and plant a new seed if they aren’t working because they’ve ingrown too many inefficiencies, compromise, bad old design or vestigial parts
It suggests that reform existing structures is not worth it if it’s even possible, which we already know but it’s nice to see those theoretical back as well. It also suggests that we should start from the bottom up and make small systems that work, and make planetarily scalable the fact I doing so might actually be the most effective way is encouraging because it’s a lot easier to get started on
Agreed it’s validating that systems theory seems to back the idea that small purposeful steps are not only easier but more efficient overall vs reforming an existing complex system. If we keep in mind scalability and interoperability we can attack issues like water or food distribution one step at a time and expand and connect as the network grows. If someday that network starts to fail for whatever reason we do it again from the ground up.
It also suggests that systems have a finite life span and that we shouldn’t be afraid to chop them down and plant a new seed if they aren’t working because they’ve ingrown too many inefficiencies, compromise, bad old design or vestigial parts