Learning to Think with Sustainability - Episode 2 - Complexity

Summary

In this episode of 'Learning to Think with Sustainability,' Phil Lauring explores the concept of complexity in systems. He breaks down the differences between simple, complicated, and complex systems, highlighting how the latter's outcomes are emergent and unpredictable due to the intricate relationships and feedback loops within. Through examples like chess, feedback in environmental systems, and local food movements, Lauring demonstrates how understanding these complexities and feedbacks can lead to more sustainable practices and solutions. The video encourages viewers to recognize the hidden systems influencing the world around them.

Takeaways

• 😀 Complexity is not just about difficulty; it's about the relationships and behaviors within a system.
• 😀 Systems are collections of things that interact, each with its own rules and behaviors.
• 😀 Simple systems, like billiards, are predictable and additive, while complicated systems, like mousetrap, are harder to predict but still additive.
• 😀 Complex systems, such as chess or Go, have emergent and unpredictable outcomes despite following a few simple rules.
• 😀 Feedback loops in complex systems cause behaviors to influence each other, leading to unpredictable interactions.
• 😀 Emergent behaviors in complex systems are a result of interactions that cannot be predicted by just understanding individual components.
• 😀 Feedbacks play a crucial role in understanding and improving sustainability by providing information that can guide responses.
• 😀 Systems are everywhere—from our bodies to space missions, and recognizing them helps us better understand our environment.
• 😀 Local food movements and sustainability certifications aim to improve feedbacks by shortening the distance between producers and consumers.
• 😀 In complex systems, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, meaning that emergent outcomes cannot be predicted by the individual behaviors alone.
• 😀 Paying attention to feedbacks and staying coupled to the system allows for more sustainable decisions and strategies.

Q & A

What is sustainability, according to the video?

Sustainability is about understanding and addressing the long-term impact of our actions on the environment, society, and economy. The video focuses on the complexity of systems in sustainability.

What are threshold concepts in sustainability?

Threshold concepts are key ideas that transform the way we understand the world. They are crucial for developing a deeper understanding of sustainability, and complexity is one of these threshold concepts.

How does the video define complexity?

Complexity is about the relationship between the pieces of a system and the behavior of that system. It is not just about something being hard to understand; it’s about how components of a system interact to produce emergent and unpredictable outcomes.

What is a system, and how is it relevant to sustainability?

A system is a collection of things that interact, each with its own rules and behaviors. In sustainability, systems are everywhere, from natural environments to human-made processes, and understanding how these systems work is crucial for sustainable development.

What is the difference between simple, complicated, and complex systems?

Simple systems have a few components and predictable outcomes, like billiards. Complicated systems involve many components with distinct behaviors but still predictable outcomes, like a game of Mousetrap. Complex systems, like chess or Go, have few components with simple rules but emergent outcomes that are unpredictable.

Can complex systems be predicted accurately?

No, complex systems are unpredictable because the outcomes are not additive but emergent. Even with knowledge of the rules, the interactions between components can lead to varied results.

What is a feedback in a system, and why is it important?

A feedback is when the behavior of one part of a system influences the behavior of another part. Feedbacks are essential because they help to adapt strategies based on changes in the system, enabling more sustainable outcomes.

How does feedback work in the game of chess?

In chess, if one player changes their strategy, such as shifting from defensive to offensive, it triggers a response from the other player. This back-and-forth interaction is an example of a feedback loop.

What role do feedbacks play in achieving sustainability?

Feedbacks are crucial in sustainability because they provide information that allows systems to adjust. For example, knowing the environmental impact of farming practices can lead to changes in behavior, making the system more sustainable.

How do local food movements and certifications improve sustainability?

Local food movements and certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council aim to improve feedbacks by shortening the distance between producers and consumers, making it easier to access information and adjust behaviors based on sustainability practices.