International Society for the Systems Sciences: Journals ISSS
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Permaculture: systems design for the energy descent future
No full textAbstract
Permaculture is a conceptual framework for the redesign of agriculture and human settlement in response to the Limits to Growth (1972) challenges that are now crystallizing around globalised industrial society and culture.
From its conception in Tasmania with Permaculture One (1978) permaculture has grown into a world-wide movement of practitioners, designers, teachers and activists mostly working at the household, small business and community organization level outside of government, corporate or institutional support.
Over more than four decades, permaculture has been a positive agent of influence in more mainstream populist responses to the sustainability crisis and is gradually gaining recognition in academia, as both a significant social movement, and contributor of eco-technical responses in regenerative agriculture, intentional community design, residential retrofit and appropriate technology.
In Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual (1988), Bill Mollison articulated both the ethical foundations and scope of permaculture design as a result of the first decade of teaching and extension of the ideas.
In Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability (2002), I reframed permaculture design principles as having universal application across all fields of human endeavour in a future of energy descent rather than the default assumption of our global civilization of continuing growth in organizational complexity and power to manage nature. I dedicated that book to the memory of H.T. Odum’s work as a seminal and continuing influence in my lineage of teaching permaculture ethics and design principles.
In this keynote, I will outline the diverse influences on, and evolution of, permaculture as a design system, and reflect on how permaculture represents an under-recognised way in which the complexity and abstraction of system science has influenced society in ways which are: bottom up rather than top down, accessible and practical rather than obscure and theoretical, resource frugal rather than resource intensive, conceptually promiscuous rather than supportive of dominant structures and paradigms.
While my portrait of permaculture as a form of activist science is mostly positive, I also acknowledge the hazards of this populist pathway, towards what H.T. Odum called, the prosperous way down
Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures: resonances and tensions at the intersection with systems science
No full textGesturing Towards Decolonial Futures (GTDF) is an arts/research collective that develops public pedagogies and artistic interventions at the interface of two sets of questions: 1) questions related to historical, systemic, and ongoing social and ecological violence, and 2) questions related to the unsustainability of modern-colonial systems and ways of being. The artistic and educational interventions aim to expand our collective capacity and build stamina to navigate volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity and to hold space for difficult conversations about wicked social and global challenges without participants feeling immobilized or demanding immediate quick fixes. This presentation will outline the work of the collective in relation to systems science and present a synthesis of points of resonance and dissonance
Cybernetic Transdisciplinarity as Pedagogy
No full textCybernetics is often abstract in character, seeking to understand principles that apply in many situations. This abstraction affords cybernetics its extraordinarily broad scope, explanatory power, and transgressive quality, with ideas able to move between contexts. However, this abstraction also brings limitations, focusing attention on explaining general principles at the expense of the specifics of a situation and creating a distanced relation to practice. In this paper, we present a way in which cybernetic analogies may be deployed in a manner which is enacted (rather than abstract) and methodological (rather than explanatory). The example we take is from our own teaching practices, focusing on a curriculum developed in the context of supporting postgraduate architecture and design students in understanding research. This is an area in which cybernetics has theory to offer, notably Ranulph Glanville’s argument that research (including scientific research) is designed. By outlining the approach to teaching and learning developed in this curriculum, we describe how Glanville’s theoretical stance may be reformulated as a pedagogic process, where students reposition their growing expertise in design as expertise in (designing) research. We discuss the advantages of this in the context of education for design research, such as avoiding research being seen as external to design and the opening of research to the sorts of critique that one may apply to other design outcomes. We conclude by speculating on the extent to which the pedagogic approach presented here may be taken up in other practical situations
The life cycle of a complex adaptive system and its implications for human life
No full textThe models and theories used in the systems sciences tend to follow a structural approach of describing parts and wholes and the interactions between the parts or a process approach focussing on the developments over time. This paper attempts a synthesis of models and concepts from both approaches to form a generalised mapping over time valid for all complex adaptive systems (CAS). The adaptive cycle is used as the prime process-based model highlighting the underlying tensions active at a given time that drive the changes of state from phase to phase of the adaptive cycle. The applications of this model will be focused on living systems or systems that include living systems to be applicable to the world we live in.
CAS with only a few members need no formal infrastructure. As the number of parts grows, difference increases and requisite variety grows larger improving the effectiveness of the system, however, conflict arising from the difference between the parts and the level of inequality also grows. Eventually, the gains of requisite variety are overshadowed by the increase in conflict. The system must then find a way of re-organising itself to contain the entropy or face extinction.
A common strategy is for some members to take on a co-ordinating role by agreement or force that can absorb the entropy that individual members are unable to contain. While this increases effectiveness, it further increases inequalities of power and control over resources. We now have systems of systems each with their own priorities and values that can clash, often observed as the changing dynamical balance of autonomy and connectivity, where one or other can dominate to the detriment of others. If the co-ordinating group is still not able to contain the entropy of the system a further hierarchical controller level might emerge, containing chaos but yet further exacerbating inequality.
Many aspects that are critical to human life are already evident in the underlying dynamics of systems. Even the most basic CAS has identity, value, conflict, error and error detection, future orientation, will to live, purpose, agency/power, need to connect, rules and enforcement, tensions of commitment to various levels, attenuation and more.
All CAS have an identity and values enshrined in a worldview, belief, or value system that operate as mapping, which is often mental, to guide decision making. Behaviours that support the worldview are enhanced and supported. Typically, there will be rebel members challenging the dominant worldview, who must be managed for the system to maintain sufficient coherence. As soon as an identity forms marking the uniqueness of the CAS, the concept of “other”; that which is not selected beyond the boundary of self-identity also arises. That which is selected is familiar and known and more likely to be trusted. The marginalised other which is not selected is less known and less familiar and therefore less trusted. The fear and distrust of strangers and their difference is evident at all levels of life.
Over time the seemingly limitless growth phase of a CAS will hit constraints that herald the conservation phase and then a release phase where many structures previously established are no longer viable. The system falls apart, but this dissolution carries the possibilities of reorganising in new and better ways into a new cycle and a new growth phase. Once the theoretical foundation is set, the implications at the biological, psychological and social levels are investigated
Only behaviour can destroy behaviour: A useful behavioural interpretation of Ashby?
No full textCurrently, we find ourselves with insufficient remedy to the way we behave towards each other and the planet and are in desperate need of unlocking, conceptually and practically, the creation of a better behaving world.
One potential source for such an enlightenment is Cybernetics.
This paper proposes a behavioural model based on displacement and control, derived from a critical examination and development of Ashby’s Law of Requisite Variety presented in An introduction to cybernetics. This outcome is that Only Behaviour can destroy behaviour and the Laws of Requisite Behaviour:
A system experiencing a force that might displace it responds by generating a behaviour
The purpose of the behaviour is to enable the system to continue to pursue its intent
A displacement is always the result of a behaviour and a behaviour always causes a displacement.
That behaviour may be to adjust the intent so that it may continue to be pursued
Intents exist in a hierarchy and less important intents will be abandoned in favour of more important intents if required.
Hiding in plain sight within An introduction to cybernetics (Ashby R 1957) is that cybernetics is about the behaviour of machines:
Cybernetics, too,
is a “theory of machines”, but it treats, not things but ways of
behaving. It does not ask “what is this thing?” but “what does it
do?”
When Ashby considers biological organisms he is most concerned with survival, and on the act of blocking communication:
the concepts of “survival” and “stability” can be brought
into an exact relationship;
In general, then, an essential feature of the good regulator is
that it blocks the flow of variety from disturbances to essential-variables
variables.
Ashby’s application of cybernetics to human behaviour is only explicit in explaining human behaviour when it parallels the regulation of a machine. However, placing Ashby’s “ways of behaving” as the central tenet provides the basis for an evolution of Behavioural Cybernetics.
This Behavioural hypothesis considers disturbance to generate Requisite Behaviour: the behaviour needed to control displacement to an extent that enables the organism to achieve its intents.
Variety of behaviour arises from a strategy of variable regulation towards displacement that ranges from zero to full control: ‘blocking’ is not the only successful strategy for survival. This is supported by research and observation from disciplines, including biological, behavioural and social sciences.
It is expected that subsequent papers on Requisite Behaviour will reveal new and much needed insight into the use of this interpretation of Cybernetics to effect change in human systems behave better: the requisite behaviour to achieve a better behaving world.
Keywords: Behavioural, Behaviour, Cybernetics, Variety, Requisite, Equilibrium, control, Displacemen
IDENTIFYING AN OPTIMAL ECOSYSTEM MODEL OF REFUGEE-RELATED BUSINESSES VIA AN ONLINE SYSTEMS-BASED EVOLUTIONARY LEARNING LABORATORY: A CASE IN UGANDA
No full textThe number of refugees in the world peaked at 26.3 million as of mid-2020. More than 75 percent of these refugees are in a protracted situation, one in which refugees find themselves in a long-lasting and intractable state of limbo. However, the budget for refugee protection and care has not been sufficient for years. Due to the limited humanitarian and developmental budget, the role of refugee-related businesses is gaining more attention. The aim of this study is to show the feasibility of the partially online systems-based Evolutionary Learning Laboratory (ELLab) approach in the COVID-19 era via a case study of Uganda and to identify the current systems model of refugee-related businesses, their leverage points, and the action plans necessary for the development of an optimal systems model for refugee-related businesses. The authors suggested the efficacy of the online system-based ELLab and provided new ways for the application of the ELLab method in the COVID-19 era. They also managed to identify the current systems model of refugee-related businesses, their leverage points, and their action plans through the ELLab process
Connecting Systems Science, Thinking and Engineering to Systems Practice for Managing Complexity
No full textFew organizations are fully integrated, program and engineering disciplines often work in isolation, and most organizations have misgivings in their ability to manage complexity. On the other hand, there are a few bright spots by way of mature forward-looking organizations that have achieved limited integration through Systems Thinking, advanced models and tools. This requires overcoming the hurdles of resistance to change and adopting new best practices.
Complexity is inherent in the organization, its stakeholders and in its cross-functional processes. In large technical projects, complexity exists within the product design and its interrelated components. Adding to this complexity, how the techno-socio-economic and cultural factors affect the organization, its processes and product are not well understood.
This disconnectedness and inability to understand underlying relationships have led to project cost overruns, rework and delays. Despite the use of traditional discipline specific-tools and models, product and project failures continue. When problems occur, shifting the burden from an optimal solution to a quick symptomatic solution can often occur without easy-to-use integrated decision support tools, as well as the processes for using them.
It has been recognized that integrated decision support tools and models are needed to overcome the challenges in managing complexity. However, for these tools to be useful, they need to address the complexities of the organization, processes, product and the practical hurdles that affect them. As well, these tools need to monitor the emergent behaviour and performance of these connected entities throughout the product lifecycle.
There are a number of foundational pillars proposed for the integration of organizations and the development of integrated tools. These pillars include Systems Thinking, dynamics, engineering and a digital thread between discipline specific models and tools.
Systems Thinking provides for a new perspective and appreciation of the interrelationships within an organization, its processes and its product design. System Dynamics (SD), as a rigorous tool for Systems Thinking, provides for an understanding of the factors and complexity in these interrelationships. Systems Engineering (SE) looks at the design, integration and management of complex systems. With advancement of data analytics, visualization and intelligence augmentation comes easier construction of digital threads for connecting disparate models and tools. Integrated management models can facilitate and add rigor to Systems Thinking and reduce complexity through a better understanding of interrelationships. Moreover, a well constructed integrated model can provide for the gaming of change scenarios, trade studies, knowledge growth, and a decision support tool for optimal solutions.
Standards are in the works for developing digital threads and frameworks to enable integration. However, the challenge is much broader than just solving the digital thread interconnection issue. With use of existing technology, Systems Thinking and systems dynamics, an integrated decision-support model was developed and presented at the International Council on Systems Engineering Project Management (PM) and Systems Engineering (SE) Integration Working Group (Jonkers 2020, INCOSE PM-SE WG). However, the authors of the current paper experienced resistance from SE and PM practitioners and senior leadership at this forum. Similar resistance was experienced during presentation of the model to mature engineering companies that designed and manufactured safety critical products. These hurdles and potential ways to overcome them are discussed in this paper.
Partially integrated models and tools exist in systems engineering, project management and the social sciences. Model-based systems engineering and integrated model-based tools have made inroads predominately in the aerospace industry, but for the most part, there has been reluctance to adopt such tools. While a structured approach by way of foundational pillars has been proposed, it can be difficult for organizations to decide what tools to adopt without a roadmap or process to guide them.
As a first step, increasing knowledge in Systems Thinking is viewed as a catalyst in moving toward integration of people, processes and the product. Systems Thinking has been viewed as the cornerstone to enabling positive outcomes including shared perspectives and a shared vision, knowledge growth and a learning culture.
The next step involves shaping a governance framework based on proposed foundational pillars for integration. This framework includes best practices by associations that offer practical tools for integration. These associations include those who follow a systematic planned approach such as six-sigma methodology and systems engineering
The Art and Science of the Impossible: The Human Experience
No full textIn 2020, governments worldwide placed their countries in lockdown to preserve the health of their citizens. The term "unprecedented" rippled across Western media to describe the phenomena of deaths, governments' subsequent response, and the disruption to society on multiple levels. Climate change is a reality that humanity must address before reaching another existential crisis. At the same time, new forms of artificial intelligence are entering our lived experience. There are plans for trips to Mars, SMART cities, augmented and virtual realities, robots, and much more. What we once considered science fiction is becoming a reality as humanity pushes the boundaries of what was thought possible. We are experiencing a volatile, dynamic state of politics, technology, and society, that is creating ambiguous and uncertain futures
SYSTEMS LITERACY Evolving our Power to Address the Issues of Our Time
No full textIssues of complexity, governance, power, influence and control and climate among so many other issues are opportunities to develop systems literacy globally. Building on work in the systems sciences and social sciences we suggest an approach to inclusive design.
We seek to address the interests and needs of the whole society and environment that supports us. While we may not have intended these consequences, time has shown that our programs have resulted in societal threats to the ocean, earth, health, education, and infrastructure, political and social justice.This poster proposes evolutionary improvements in the process of social design by developing a five-dimensional organizing process drawn from the natural wisdom in our languages of science, our native languages, and our language of light, darkness, and color (LDC).
Link to the poster PD
TRENDS IN SMALL SATELLITE SYSTEM IN MEXICO
No full textA technological development of space in Mexico is proposed. Up to date, satellites are design, build and launch to the space by other countries. Satellites worked at an academic level to achieve this objective, a State policy is necessary to integrate basic and applied scientific research carried out by the country's institutions in the productive sector. Small satellites for education institutions and research centers are currently being designed and built because of the relatively low cost compared to the geostationary ones that cover the American Continent. However, there was a lack of regulatory management, permits, launching bases, and systemic integration in companies. Therefore, in order to obtain a Systemic Model was the production of a situation diagnosis with the corresponding planning