The hottest Complexity Theory Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

The Leverage Points in Engineering Ecosystems

peoplefirstengineering • 50 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Systems Thinking Software Engineering Complexity Theory Change Management Organizational Design
  1. Complex systems, like software teams, are made up of many parts that interact with each other and change over time. Understanding these interactions can help improve how we manage and work within these systems.
  2. Donella Meadows' framework shows that not all changes in a system will have the same impact. Some changes, like adjusting goals or encouraging new mindsets, can lead to much bigger improvements than simply tweaking numbers or rules.
  3. To create a successful and adaptable environment, it's important to give teams the freedom to self-organize, share information openly, and align their goals with the overall mission of the organization.

New Ways of Knowing: Nora Bateson, John Vervaeke, Sophie Strand, Jim Rutt, Trish Blain, Jonathan Rowson and Minna Salami

The Bigger Picture • 778 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🚌 Education Cognitive Science Complexity Theory
  1. We are currently facing a 'meta-crisis' with multiple interconnected challenges, presenting both overwhelming circumstances and opportunities for transformation.
  2. To thrive in today's world, we need to develop a new relationship with complexity, encompassing not just external systems but also our inner worlds.
  3. The online course 'New Ways of Knowing' offers live tuition, small group interactions, and personal growth practices to help navigate complexity, gain new perspectives, and respond to the meta-crisis.

systems *doing* and complexity *doing*

The Beautiful Mess • 79 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
💼 Business Systems Thinking Complexity Theory Collaboration Organizational Culture Decision-making
  1. Bringing different people together in a fun way can help create new connections and ideas. It's important for everyone to share their unique perspectives.
  2. Sometimes it's better to wait and see what happens instead of jumping into action right away. This allows space for good ideas to emerge naturally.
  3. You can simplify complex issues to help understand them, but always remember to keep the messy details nearby so you don't lose important context.

Leverage Points for solving complex problems

Turnaround • 277 implied HN points • 01 Aug 22
💼 Business Management Systems Thinking Complexity Theory Problem Solving Product Management
  1. Complex problems require moving away from linear thinking and embracing complexity thinking that involves understanding interconnections and dependencies.
  2. Leverage points in a system are areas where small changes can cause significant overall impact. These include adjusting parameters, dealing with stock buffers, considering system structures, managing feedback loops, controlling information flows, setting incentives and rules, enabling self-organization, and aligning with system goals and paradigms.
  3. Differentiating between complicated and complex systems is crucial in problem-solving. In complex interconnected systems, problem statements often fall into categories such as coupled, causal, or standalone.

Interview with David Auerbach and Review of 'Meganets'

Data Taboo • 7 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Social media Complexity Theory Virtual Worlds
  1. Auerbach explores the concept of meganets, networks of humans and machines that have become semi-autonomous and out of our control.
  2. These networks are causing economic instability, disinformation, and political/social polarization, requiring changes like slowing down growth and injecting diverse opinions.
  3. Concerns about AI taking over the world may be eclipsed by the threat of meganet-driven systems that lack human control and have significant influence over society.
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