20 June 2023
https://www.edge.co.uk/news-and-events/blogs/the-ninth-essential-skill-systems-thinking/
Author Archives: antlerboy - Benjamin P Taylor
Systems Thinking – from rhetoric to action – Cambridge Institute for Sustainabilty Leadership, Dr Theo Hacking (2022)
23 August 2022 – Dr Theo Hacking, CISL’s Director for Postgraduate Programmes and Research Strategy, reflects on the need for clarity in the use of systems thinking by sharing some of the common misconceptions that can lead to systems-related terms and concepts being misconstrued or devalued by false expectations.
Systems Thinking – from rhetoric to action23 August 2022 – Dr Theo Hacking, CISL’s Director for Postgraduate Programmes and Research Strategy, reflects on the need for clarity in the use of systems thinking by sharing some of the common misconceptions that can lead to systems-related terms and concepts being misconstrued or devalued by false expectations.
Systems Thinking – from rhetoric to action | Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)
https://www.cisl.cam.ac.uk/news/blog/systems-thinking-rhetoric-action
Back to basics: Developing systems methodologies from first (systems) principles – Hoverstadt and Lucy Loh (2023)
Perhaps a fitting tribute to Lucy Loh, who tragically passed away in October, as per Patrick Hoverstadt’s obituary post just shared.
The paper is not yet available outside the paywall, but looks to be another seminal bit of work she was instrumental in creating.
First published: 21 August 2023
https://doi.org/10.1002/sres.2949
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/sres.2949
Back to basics: Developing systems methodologies from first (systems) principles – Hoverstadt – Systems Research and Behavioral Science – Wiley Online Library
RIP Lucy Loh, a systems thinker who exemplified the best of the field, made many significant contributions, and was almost universally admired, respect and liked
[I was lucky enough to know Lucy, and marginally work with her through her partnership with Patrick Hoverstadt and involvement with SCiO. My comments, though, probably belong in their existing place as responses to this LinkedIn post from her long-time business partner (and great friend) Patrick Hoverstadt. I think this serves as an excellent obituary, including all the comments, responses, and reshares. If you wish to add your comments, I suggest you respond there].
Patrick Hoverstadt:
Sad to have to share that my long term business partner Lucy Loh died last week. I worked with Lucy for around 11 years, she wasn’t just very, very smart, creative – making substantial advances in several fields she worked in, she was kind, thoughtful, immensely hard working and professional, but she was also great fun to work with as several clients and colleagues have attested. Sadly, Lucy also had appalling luck health-wise with a series of accidents and spinal problems that left her in permanent pain and in a wheelchair for the last 5 years. Her overriding characteristic was I think the courage with which she faced her challenges and still managed to work both harder and smarter than pretty much anyone else I know. She will be greatly missed by family, friends, colleagues and clients. It was a privilege to know her for as long as I did.
Post | Feed | LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7119593795985264640/
End-November 2023 monthly events mailing from SCiO
______________________________________________________________
SCiO UK Virtual Development Event – December 2023
Tue 12 December 2023 18:30–20:30 GMT
SCiO’s Development Event offer an opportunity to draw upon the collective expertise of SCiO members in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. By taking Development Events online, using the Zoom meeting platform, we aim to make them accessible to more SCiO members Development Events are both for members who are just starting out on a journey to explore Systems Thinking approaches, and for those who have many years of exploration and practice.
Members only; FREE; Online event; English; Book now
SCiO UK Virtual Open Meeting – January 2024
Mon 22 January 2024 18:30–21:00 GMT
Virtual Open Meeting: A series of presentations of general interest to Systems and Complexity in Organisation’s members. SCiO organises Open Meetings to provide opportunities for practitioners to learn and develop new practice, to build relationships, networks hear about skills, tools, practice and experiences. The agenda comprises a brief introduction and two speaker sessions (one is listed below), followed by our usual ‘later in the bar’ open chat for around 30-mins after speaker sessions.
Running a systemic intervention in Government – a new practitioners perspective – Alison Guthrie-Wrenn
The second session for the evening will be announced as soon as possible.
All welcome, FREE; Online event; English; Book now
______________________________________________________________
SCIO-NL monthly meeting (live in Vianen and in Dutch)
Fri 8 December 2023 11:30–15:00 CET
SCIO-NL komt elke 2e vrijdag van de maand live bijeen in Vianen (Hagenweg 3c). Er staan geen vaste onderwerpen op de agenda (daarvoor organiseren we specifieke andere meetings), maar de ervaring leert dat er altijd wel een interessant gesprek op gang komt over een systemisch onderwerp
Hagenweg 3c, Vianen, Netherlands; All welcome; FREE; Dutch Book now
SCIO-NL monthly meeting (live in Vianen and in Dutch)
Fri 12 January 2024 11:30–15:00 CET
SCIO-NL komt elke 2e vrijdag van de maand live bijeen in Vianen (Hagenweg 3c). Er staan geen vaste onderwerpen op de agenda (daarvoor organiseren we specifieke andere meetings), maar de ervaring leert dat er altijd wel een interessant gesprek op gang komt over een systemisch onderwerp. Toegankelijk voor iedereen die de jaarlijkse fee voor de live-bijeenkomsten (€50,-) hiervoor betaald. En voor gasten. Neem contact op via ed@doitogether.nl als je interesse hebt, maar nog geen lid van de club bent.
Hagenweg 3c, Vianen, Netherlands; All welcome; FREE; Dutch Book now
______________________________________________________________
Tue 12 December 2023 18:00–20:00 CET
Het Viable Systems Model (VSM) biedt een raamwerk voor het ontwikkelen van flexibele en aanpasbare organisaties. Alhoewel het in de jaren zeventig en tachtig van de twintigste eeuw is ontwikkeld door Stafford Beer, en intussen internationaal veelvuldig gebruikt wordt als hulpmiddel voor het begrijpen en herontwerpen van organisaties, is het in België weinig bekend. Als SCiO-België besloten we daarom om in het werkingsjaar 2021-22 en in het werkingsjaar 2022-23 er Deep Dive sessies aan te besteden. De eerste keer deden we dit aan de hand van een lezing van tekstfragmenten uit het werk van Staf… Read more
Kon. Astridlaan 144, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium; Members only; FREE; Dutch Book now
Tue 9 January 2024 18:00–20:00 CET
The systemic toolkit is comprehensive. A causal loop diagram occupies a special place among them. Indeed, it helps to name the specific dynamics in contexts by exploring the dynamic properties associated with our concepts and critically questioning the positive and negative feedback mechanisms. In spring 2023, a working group led by Miguel Pantalon set about applying causal loop diagramming to the broad domain of circular economy, and more specifically the food system. This led to surprising insights that had hitherto remained beyond the scope of policymakers. But at the same time, it was an … Read more
All welcome; FREE; Online event; Dutch & English Book now
______________________________________________________________
SCiO DACH (Deutschland, Österreich, Schweiz)
Kybernetik-Stammtisch – Jahresabschluss – offene Beiträge
Thu 14 December 2023 18:00–19:00 CET
Online-Jahresabschlussfeier für alle Mitglieder. Es besteht die Möglichkeit kurz zusammengefasste Ergebnisse der eigenen Forschung/Arbeit im Bereich Systems Practice des vergangenen Jahres den übrigen Mitgliedern vorzustellen.
Members + Guests; kostenlos; Online event; German Book now
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/#inbox/FMfcgzGwHxqHPZxCSKvxFXflxZqtrqrN
___________________________
For Systems Thinking Practice APPRENTICES of all Providers
SCiO has opened up Cohort 3 (Apprentice Edition) of the Enhanced Learning Club. Here, we have created a safe and accessible space where apprentices can come together to explore systems ideas, concepts and approaches and, together, enhance our understanding and confidence. Others studying Systems Thinking are also welcome.
This is the place to ask the ‘silly’ questions, to discuss your difficulties, to share your ideas and interpretations whilst helping others do the same. In the ELC, there are no novices, and no experts.
If you’re interested in joining cohort 3 with fellow apprentices, please enquire here.
___________________________
Individual modules of professional development courses from the apprenticeship can be booked by anyone at commercial rates – see details here .
Happy Holidays!
Steve
SCiO – Systems & Complexity in Organisation
Updating the Identity-based Model of Belief: From False Belief to the Spread of Misinformation – Van Bavel et al (2023)
AUTHORSJay J Van Bavel, Steve Rathje, Madalina Vlasceanu, and Clara Pretus
Updating the Identity-based Model of Belief: From False Belief to the Spread of MisinformationAUTHORSJay J Van Bavel, Steve Rathje, Madalina Vlasceanu, and Clara Pretus
PsyArXiv Preprints | Updating the Identity-based Model of Belief: From False Belief to the Spread of Misinformation
https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/5n4fx
John Heron – Human Inquiry Archive
Post on LinkedIn from Jack Martin Leith:
Just discovered the John Heron (1928-2022; co-operative inquiry, co‑counselling, Human Potential Research Group etc.) archive:
Post | LinkedIn
https://lnkd.in/e5ydrbUj
The Complete Facilitator’s Handbook is on the list and available for download in its entirety (428pp):
https://lnkd.in/e23JXDxw
You can read about Heron’s three facilitation modes on the Newcreate website:
https://lnkd.in/eSNfuyXQ
How measuring impact gets in the way of real world change – Lowe (2023)
November 28, 2023
By Toby Lowe
How measuring impact gets in the way of real world changeNovember 28, 2023By Toby Lowe
How measuring impact gets in the way of real world change – Integration and Implementation Insights
Integrating system dynamics and scenarios: A framework based on personal experience – Kunc (2023)
First published: 27 November 2023
https://doi.org/10.1002/ffo2.174
Integrating system dynamics and scenarios: A framework based on personal experience – Kunc – FUTURES & FORESIGHT SCIENCE – Wiley Online Library
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ffo2.174#
New Proof Shows That ‘Expander’ Graphs Synchronize
The proof establishes new conditions that cause connected oscillators to sway in sync.
Samuel Velasco and Paul Chaikin/Quanta Magazine
July 24, 2023
Introduction
Six years ago, Afonso Bandeira and Shuyang Ling were attempting to come up with a better way to discern clusters in enormous data sets when they stumbled into a surreal world. Ling realized that the equations they’d come up with were, unexpectedly, a perfect match for a mathematical model of spontaneous synchronization. Spontaneous synchronization is a phenomenon in which oscillators, which might take the form of pendulums, springs, human heart cells or fireflies, end up moving in lockstep without any central coordination mechanism.
Bandeira, a mathematician at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, and Ling, a data scientist at New York University, dove into synchronization research, obtaining a series of noteworthy results on the strength and structure that connections between oscillators must have to force the oscillators to synchronize. That work culminated in an October paper in which Bandeira proved (together with five co-authors) that synchronization is inevitable in special types of networks called expander graphs, which are sparse but also well connected.
Expander graphs turn out to have a slew of applications not only in math but also in computer science and physics. They can be used to create error-correcting codes and to figure out when simulations based on random numbers converge to the reality they are trying to simulate. Neurons can be modeled in a graph that some researchers believe forms an expander, due to the limited space for connections inside the brain. The graphs are also useful to geometers who try to understand how to traverse complicated surfaces, among other problems.
Continues in source:
New Proof Shows That ‘Expander’ Graphs Synchronize | Quanta Magazine
https://www.quantamagazine.org/new-proof-shows-that-expander-graphs-synchronize-20230724/
The Systems Thinking Starters Kit – Tijn Tjoelker (substack paywall)
Over 80+ of my favourite systems thinking resources — for the complete beginner, absolute expert, and everything in between.
TIJN TJOELKER NOV 28, 2023
∙ PAID
The Systems Thinking Starters KitOver 80+ of my favourite systems thinking resources — for the complete beginner, absolute expert, and everything in between.TIJN TJOELKERNOV 28, 2023∙ PAID
(1) The Systems Thinking Starters Kit – by Tijn Tjoelker
https://tijntjoelker.substack.com/p/systems-thinking-starters-kit
[What I said:]
I must admit I’m disappointed, Tjin. I know that my critique and recommendations were just one comment on your – as you say – viral LinkedIn post. But I hoped that from me or someone else you would have engaged with some of the points therein.
Here were my comments:
And of course https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sk338l2kwzisua86j1gx1/SCiO-CF-Resources-v8-Oct2023.pdf?rlkey=l52h5h3wjvqrpw05klkvd4g45&dl=0
https://www.systemspractice.org/page/scio-competency-framework-professional-qualification
I think you’ve ended up with a toolkit that is flat – not engaging with some of the rich depth and complexity of systems | complexity | cybernetics – difficult – some of the Systems Dynamics stuff is amongst the hardest to learn and use well – and that includes a lot of interesitng stuff that doesn’t really relate to the field.
Anyway, I do appreciate all the work that goes into something like this (I’ve been working away at www.syscoi.com for years) and I will stay tuned – on the paid subscription – for a couple of months to see where yo utake this!
cheers
Benjamin
What Systems Thinkers Can Learn From Historical Synthesis | Dr. Michael Bonner | Systems Thinking Ontario 2023-11-13
November 23, 2023 daviding
For the November 2023 Systems Thinking Ontario session, historian and policy advisor Dr. Michael Bonner was invited for an interview by Zaid Khan. In organizing the sessions, we’re trying to avoid the trap of systems thinking becoming a discipline, through learning with a sweeping-in process.
The session opened on a map of The Sassanid Empire c. 620 CE, also known as Second Persian Empire, a high point for the Iranian civilizations before the early Muslim conquests of the 7th–8th centuries.
Systems explained by Peter Checkland
- Audio 15 minutes
Updated Wednesday, 23 March 2022
Peter Checkland recalls how a shortage of management education led him to develop his theories.
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/money-business/leadership-management/systems-explained-peter-checkland
Buckminster Fuller Institute 40th Anniversary Celebration – 15 Dec 2023, 5-9pm PST, in person, paid event
Join us in person to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Buckminster Fuller Institute! A night of inspiration, innovation and community.
By The Buckminster Fuller Institute
Date and time
Friday, December 15 · 5 – 9pm PST
Location
Gray Area / Grand Theater, Mission Street, San Francisco, CA, USA2665 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94110 United States
Buckminster Fuller Institute 40th Anniversary Celebration
Join us for a spectacular in-person event celebrating the 40th anniversary of Buckminster Fuller Institute! This is designed as an immersive experience and will not be live streamed or recorded.
We are thrilled to invite you to the Gray Area / Grand Theater on Mission Street in beautiful San Francisco, CA, USA.
This milestone celebration promises to be an unforgettable experience filled with inspiration, creativity, innovation, and special guests! We will celebrate forty incredible years of Buckminster Fuller Institute and the transformative work underway heading into our fifth decade! We’ll also have updates on current projects to reach 100 million life-centered designers, regenerate bioregions, center indigenous knowledge in design, transform financial systems, engage with regenerative AI, uplift and build capacity for design scientists, support large-scale ecological restoration and more.
The event will feature sustainable local food served throughout the evening and a cash bar.
Friday, December 15Buckminster Fuller Institute 40th Anniversary CelebrationJoin us in person to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Buckminster Fuller Institute! A night of inspiration, innovation and community.By The Buckminster Fuller Institute54 followersFollowDate and timeFriday, December 15 · 5 – 9pm PSTLocationGray Area / Grand Theater, Mission Street, San Francisco, CA, USA2665 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94110 United StatesShow mapRefund PolicyContact the organizer to request a refund.Eventbrite’s fee is nonrefundable.About this event4 hoursMobile eTicketBuckminster Fuller Institute 40th Anniversary CelebrationJoin us for a spectacular in-person event celebrating the 40th anniversary of Buckminster Fuller Institute! This is designed as an immersive experience and will not be live streamed or recorded.We are thrilled to invite you to the Gray Area / Grand Theater on Mission Street in beautiful San Francisco, CA, USA.This milestone celebration promises to be an unforgettable experience filled with inspiration, creativity, innovation, and special guests! We will celebrate forty incredible years of Buckminster Fuller Institute and the transformative work underway heading into our fifth decade! We’ll also have updates on current projects to reach 100 million life-centered designers, regenerate bioregions, center indigenous knowledge in design, transform financial systems, engage with regenerative AI, uplift and build capacity for design scientists, support large-scale ecological restoration and more.The event will feature sustainable local food served throughout the evening and a cash bar.
Buckminster Fuller Institute 40th Anniversary Celebration Tickets, Fri, Dec 15, 2023 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/buckminster-fuller-institute-40th-anniversary-celebration-tickets-764894679577?aff=oddtdtcreator
Explaining Systems Changes Learning | RSD12 | 2023-10-14
November 20, 2023 daviding
For the Relating Systems and Design RSD12 symposium on October 14, 2023, members of the Explainers subgroup of the Systems Changes Learning Circle conducted an in-person workshop on “Explaining Systems Changes Learning: Metaphors and translations” at OCADU in Toronto.
Explaining Systems Changes Learning | RSD12 | 2023-10-14 November 20, 2023 daviding 0 CommentsFor the Relating Systems and Design RSD12 symposium on October 14, 2023, members of the Explainers subgroup of the Systems Changes Learning Circle conducted an in-person workshop on “Explaining Systems Changes Learning: Metaphors and translations” at OCADU in Toronto.
Explaining Systems Changes Learning | RSD12 | 2023-10-14 – Coevolving Innovations
Systems Community of Inquiry 
You must be logged in to post a comment.