These Are Systems

These Are Systems is a newsletter focusing on exploring and elucidating concepts related to probability, applied control theory, and systems thinking. It dissects various facets of system dynamics, Bayesian probability, inflation, artificial intelligence safety, and the utility and limitations of certain mathematical and statistical measures in practical applications.

Probability Theory Applied Control Theory Systems Thinking Economic Trends and Inflation Artificial Intelligence Safety Bayesian Inference Engineering Design Statistical Reasoning Consulting and Professional Development

The hottest Substack posts of These Are Systems

And their main takeaways

Inflation, part 2: Shelter in Canada and the United States

482 implied HN points • 27 Nov 22
  1. In Canada, rising interest rates are increasing mortgage interest costs, leading to inflationary pressure on shelter expenses.
  2. The US and Canada share economic trends, but differ in how they account for shelter costs in inflation calculations.
  3. Differences in mortgage structures and housing market corrections make the US housing market healthier than Canada's, impacting inflationary pressures differently.

You need to know what right-half-plane zeros are

439 HN points • 08 May 22
  1. Right-half-plane zeros can affect system behavior in critical ways
  2. Understanding poles and zeros is essential to gauge system dynamics
  3. System with right-half-plane zeros can exhibit inverse responses, leading to challenges in control

Reading E. T. Jaynes

428 implied HN points • 07 May 22
  1. Probability is about the observer's knowledge, not inherent randomness.
  2. Bayesianism in probability emphasizes the importance of prior information.
  3. Jaynes' notation for probabilities is explicit and helps clarify confusion in probability calculations.
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Causation does not even imply correlation

375 implied HN points • 08 May 22
  1. Correlation does not imply causation.
  2. Absence of correlation does not imply absence of causation.
  3. Causation can imply a lack of correlation or even create anti-correlation.

Welcome to These Are Systems

160 implied HN points • 06 May 22
  1. The newsletter discusses applied control systems and systems thinking.
  2. The author shares personal thoughts and insights on various subjects.
  3. The platform aims to engage with important ideas in an engaging, clear, and educational way.

Against decibels

107 implied HN points • 07 May 22
  1. Decibels are a flawed unit of measure and should be used with caution
  2. Decibels are dangerously ambiguous due to misunderstandings and errors in calculation
  3. It is recommended to express ratios directly on a log scale instead of using decibels to avoid confusion