Systems Thinking Ep. 1: Lists & Models (Learn to think like a genius)

Summary

In this video, David Shapiro introduces a new series on systems thinking. He explores the cognitive skills involved in systems thinking, highlighting historical examples like Tesla and Edison, and modern practices such as the Ford Model T assembly line. Shapiro discusses myths about intelligence and emphasizes the importance of lists, taxonomies, and hierarchical models in understanding and solving problems. By practicing creating structured lists and models, anyone can enhance their systems thinking abilities. The video also references key works like 'The Checklist Manifesto' and 'The Pattern Seekers' to illustrate these concepts.

Takeaways

• 📚 David Shapiro introduces a new video series on systems thinking, starting with lists and models.
• 🧠 Systems thinking is described as a set of cognitive skills that can be honed and developed by anyone.
• 🔬 Notable systems thinkers mentioned include Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison, who were likely neurodiverse.
• 📈 Intelligence is dynamic and can change over time, influenced by factors like stress, nutrition, and accumulated knowledge.
• 📝 Lists are emphasized as a fundamental tool in systems thinking, with various types such as checklists, procedures, classifications, and categories.
• 📖 The book 'Checklist Manifesto' by Atul Gawande is recommended for understanding the power and utility of lists.
• 🔄 The concept of cause and effect (if x, then y because z) is highlighted as a simple pattern for understanding systems.
• 🔍 Taxonomies and layered models, like Linnaeus's classification system and the OSI model in networking, are key components of systems thinking.
• 🛡️ The defense in-depth model for cybersecurity is used to illustrate the importance of layered, hierarchical thinking.
• 🔧 Practicing systems thinking involves creating structured lists, hierarchical models, and understanding the relationships between different components of a system.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video series introduced by David Shapiro?

The main focus of the video series is systems thinking, which involves cognitive skills that can be honed to solve novel problems, gain unique understanding, and change the world through mental powers.

Who are the two famous systems thinkers mentioned in the video?

The two famous systems thinkers mentioned are Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison, both of whom were likely neurodiverse and had a profound impact on the world with their intellect.

What is David Shapiro's definition of systems thinking?

David Shapiro defines systems thinking as a set of cognitive skills that can be honed, allowing one to solve novel problems, gain unique understanding, and change the world through mental powers.

What are some misconceptions about intelligence that David Shapiro wants to dispel?

David Shapiro dispels the misconception that intelligence is fixed and that IQ tests measure actual intelligence. He emphasizes that intelligence is dynamic, changes over time, and is composed of many aspects or facets.

How does David Shapiro describe the role of IQ tests?

David Shapiro describes IQ tests as primarily measuring speed, which is a proxy for other abilities, rather than actual intelligence. He also mentions that low IQ test scores might indicate being slower than average.

What is the first lesson or concept of systems thinking shared by David Shapiro?

The first lesson is the idea of lists, checklists, categories, and classifications, emphasizing the importance of creating order and structure in thinking and problem-solving.

Why is the book 'Checklist Manifesto' by Atul Gawandi significant in the context of systems thinking?

The book 'Checklist Manifesto' is significant because it was the first systems thinking book that David Shapiro read and it completely changed his ideas about what a list is and how it can be used in various ways, such as reminders, notes, and problem-solving.

What is the pattern 'if x then y because Z' and how is it related to systems thinking?

The pattern 'if x then y because Z' is a simple cause-and-effect pattern that helps establish explanations and patterns. It is related to systems thinking as it helps in understanding the relationships and consequences in various systems.

What is the second lesson of systems thinking discussed by David Shapiro?

The second lesson is taxonomies, layered models, and hierarchies. It involves understanding the relationships and classifications in various systems, such as the taxonomic system created by Linnaeus or the OSI model in computer networking.

How can the concept of taxonomies or hierarchies be applied in different fields?

Taxonomies or hierarchies can be applied in various fields to understand and organize relationships and classifications. Examples include Linnaeus's taxonomic system in biology, the OSI model in computer networking, and layered security models in cybersecurity.

What is the significance of creating order with lists in systems thinking?

Creating order with lists is significant in systems thinking as it helps in structuring thoughts, organizing information, and understanding the relationships and classifications in various systems, which is essential for effective problem-solving and decision-making.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Introduction to Systems Thinking

David Shapiro introduces a new series on systems thinking, explaining his decision to create video content instead of writing a book. He highlights the importance of systems thinking as a cognitive skill that can be developed, not just innate. He mentions famous systems thinkers like Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison, suggesting they were neurodiverse. Shapiro also dispels myths about intelligence, emphasizing that IQ tests measure speed rather than true intelligence and that intelligence is dynamic and can be improved over time through knowledge and practice. The first lesson in systems thinking he shares is the use of lists, checklists, and classifications, recommending the book 'Checklist Manifesto' by Atul Gawandi.

05:00

📝 The Power of Lists in Systems Thinking

This paragraph delves into the various roles lists can play in systems thinking, such as reminders, note-taking, summarizing information, and solving problems. David Shapiro emphasizes the importance of practicing list-making as a way to improve systems thinking skills. He also discusses the concept of cause and effect, referencing Simon Baron Cohen's book 'Pattern Seekers', which suggests that certain patterns like 'if-then-because' are particularly effective for systems thinkers. Shapiro warns about some criticisms of Cohen's work, particularly its focus on a debunked theory of autism, but still finds value in the pattern recognition approach.

10:03

🌳 Taxonomies and Hierarchical Models

David Shapiro discusses the concept of taxonomies and hierarchical models as a key aspect of systems thinking. He uses the example of Linnaeus's taxonomic system to illustrate how understanding relationships between organisms can be achieved through a layered model. He also mentions the OSI model in computer networking and the defense in-depth model in cybersecurity as examples of how layered models help in designing and troubleshooting systems. Shapiro encourages viewers to be aware of these models and to use them in their own systems thinking practice, suggesting that creating order with lists is a fundamental skill.

15:05

🧠 Cognitive Architecture and Systems Thinking

In the final paragraph, Shapiro introduces a taxonomy he created for cognitive architecture, which includes layers from episodic and declarative memory to executive function. He emphasizes the importance of creating structured lists and ordered systems in practicing systems thinking. He suggests that viewers can apply this concept to various aspects of their lives, such as cooking or driving, to improve their understanding and efficiency. Shapiro concludes by inviting feedback on this new topic he is exploring in his video series.

Keywords

💡Systems Thinking

Systems thinking is a cognitive approach that involves understanding complex systems by viewing them as interconnected sets of components that operate in a coordinated manner. In the video, David Shapiro defines it as a set of skills that can be developed to solve novel problems and gain unique understanding. It is central to the video's theme as it underpins the discussion on how to think about and manage complex systems.

💡Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison

Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison are historical figures renowned for their contributions to electrical engineering and invention. They are mentioned in the video as examples of individuals who were likely neurodiverse and profound systems thinkers. Their work exemplifies the impact that systems thinking can have on technological and societal advancements.

💡Ford Model T Assembly Line

The Ford Model T assembly line is a historical example of systems thinking in practice. Introduced by Henry Ford, it revolutionized manufacturing by breaking down the production process into smaller, specialized tasks. In the video, it is used to illustrate how systems thinking can be applied to change the world, emphasizing the importance of understanding and optimizing processes.

💡IQ

IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a measure of cognitive abilities that was originally designed to track children's progress. In the video, Shapiro discusses the misconceptions about IQ, arguing that it is dynamic and not fixed, and that it is more a measure of speed than actual intelligence. This challenges the traditional view of intelligence and underscores the importance of developing cognitive skills beyond just raw mental processing speed.

💡Checklists

Checklists are tools used to ensure that no steps are missed in a process. Shapiro mentions 'Checklist Manifesto' by Atul Gawandi, highlighting the importance of checklists in systems thinking. They are used to organize information, remind oneself of tasks, and as a tool for problem-solving, making them a key concept in the video's discussion on how to effectively manage complex tasks.

💡Taxonomies

Taxonomies are systems of classification used to organize and categorize items into groups based on shared characteristics. In the video, Shapiro discusses taxonomies as a way to understand relationships and hierarchies, using examples like Linnaeus's biological classification system and the OSI model in networking. Taxonomies are essential in systems thinking as they help in structuring knowledge and understanding complex systems.

💡Linnaeus

Carl Linnaeus was a Swedish botanist who developed a system of naming and classifying organisms known as binomial nomenclature. In the video, Shapiro uses Linnaeus's work as an example of creating a taxonomic system to understand the relationships between different species. This illustrates the importance of categorization in systems thinking.

💡OSI Model

The OSI model, or Open Systems Interconnection model, is a framework used in computer networking to understand how data is transmitted between devices. Shapiro mentions this model in the video to demonstrate how layered models can be used to understand complex systems like networking. It is a practical example of how systems thinking can be applied in technology.

💡Defense in Depth

Defense in depth is a security model that involves multiple layers of security controls to protect against threats. Shapiro discusses this model in the context of cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of layered protection. It is an example of how systems thinking can be used to create robust security strategies.

💡Cognitive Architecture

Cognitive architecture refers to a theoretical framework for understanding the structure and function of the mind. In the video, Shapiro creates a taxonomy for cognitive architecture, illustrating how systems thinking can be used to organize and understand complex cognitive processes. This concept is used to show how systems thinking can be applied in the field of artificial intelligence.

Highlights

Introduction of the new series called systems thinking by David Shapiro.

Examples of famous systems thinkers: Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison.

Explanation of how systems thinking is a set of cognitive skills that can be honed.

Clarification that IQ is not a fixed measure of intelligence and is influenced by various factors.

IQ tests primarily measure speed rather than actual intelligence.

Different dimensions of intelligence can change over time through accumulated knowledge and practice.

Introduction to the concept of lists in systems thinking.

Reference to the book 'Checklist Manifesto' by Atul Gawande.

Various uses of lists: reminders, note-taking, problem-solving, and categorizing information.

The importance of practicing list-making to become a better systems thinker.

Introduction to taxonomies, layered models, and hierarchies in systems thinking.

Example of Linnaeus's taxonomic system for classifying living organisms.

Explanation of the OSI model for understanding computer networking.

Introduction to the defense-in-depth model for cyber security.

Encouragement to use and create structured lists to practice systems thinking in everyday tasks.

Transcripts

hey everybody David Shapiro here with a

video today we are going to start a new

series called systems thinking

so uh this video was

um an idea that I had and rather than

writing a book I figure I'll just do

videos this seems to be the primary way

that I disseminate information anyways

so here we go episode 1 lists and models

all right so before we dive in you need

to know like what are some examples of

famous systems thinkers I have here the

two

um adversarial uh enemies of all time

Nikola Tesla and um Thomas Edison

so both of them were likely neurodiverse

um and both of them were profound

systems thinkers now these are towering

Geniuses who change the world with their

intellect in these cases they are likely

at least partially genetically

predisposed to systems thinking now that

being said there are plenty of other

people who have managed to change the

world through systems thinking without

having to be you know a genius or

autistic here's an example of the Ford

Model T assembly line from more than 100

years ago

all right so systems thinking what is it

what is our working definition of

systems thinking so here's my definition

of systems thinking systems thinking is

a set of cognitive skills that can be

honed while some people have a natural

inclination towards systems thinking

such as myself anyone can practice and

develop these abilities systems thinking

allows you to solve novel problems gain

unique understanding and change the

world through mental powers

so before we dive into this series

there's a couple myths that we need to

dispel about intelligence first of all

IQ is

um IQ was originally invented as a way

to track children's progress it was

never even intended to be static that

being said the psychology the the

establishment

of academic psychology they say that

intelligence is fixed which there's not

any any good evidence of that but that's

because psychology is a pseudoscience

um intelligence is dynamic over time it

changes with your life and so for

instance your IQ changes depending on

how tired you are or how well you've

eaten or if you're stressed or whatever

um and it and it is also uh uh

intelligence is also composed of many

aspects or facets

another thing is that IQ tests primarily

measure speed they don't actually

measure intelligence they measure speed

which is a proxy for other abilities so

it's true that some people are naturally

mentally faster or naturally mentally

slower

that is something that you're probably

not going to be able to change too much

um but it it also it is what it is

um but it's important to remember that

if you score low on an IQ test that just

means that you depending on the kind of

test you might just be slower than

average

um or in my case I'm much faster than

average again it's a proxy for other

cognitive abilities but it is not

actually measuring intelligence

there are hundreds of actual dimensions

of intelligence

um but some of them are things that you

can change easily over time such as

accumulated knowledge practice skills

and other various cognitive abilities

now

the jury is still out as to whether or

not like you have a cognitive ability or

not right could anyone could could

anyone on the planet eventually figure

out the same things that Isaac Newton

did and Albert Einstein did I don't know

it's entirely possible that some people

do have entirely unique cognitive

abilities that other people will never

be able to achieve

but that being said you absolutely can

accumulate knowledge and you absolutely

can practice skills so your level of

intelligence will absolutely change over

the course of your life and we call this

stuff like wisdom and experience but

those are just all attributes of

intelligence

okay so with all that out of the way the

first lesson or concept of systems

thinking that I want to share with you

is the idea of lists lists checklists

categories classifications

so this comes from the book checklist

Manifesto by Atul gawandi this is the

first systems thinking book that I ever

read and it is also one of the best it

is a short book and it will completely

change your ideas about what a list is

and what a checklist is

um obviously I'm not going to delve into

the entire book here but I can give you

a little bit of a taste so one

there's so much that you can do with a

list there are different kinds of lists

so there's checklists there's procedures

there's classifications there's

categories and in his book he goes

through the history of all these things

in different ways to use lists excuse me

um lists can have different roles so you

can have reminders that's how I use

lists here right your what you're seeing

is the learning from this book in real

time I'm using this to cue myself to

remind myself what to talk about and

also as a visual cue for you so it's

reminders you can also take notes in

list format

um where it's just like and I if you

come if you came from my AI Channel you

you probably have seen that I use notes

quite extensive extensively

um notes have a really powerful way of

summarizing information

you can also use lists to list facets of

Concepts right just as I've done here

you can also use list to solve problems

to list out everything that you know

about a problem for instance you can

also do chains of thought cause and

effect all sorts of stuff

now how do you practice this practicing

lists is super easy just make lists

just as as pictured here get a pen and a

piece of paper and write the lists

longhand the act of dis of distilling

things down into lists is really good

right that's why we do uh chapter

outlines book outlines right you're just

saying let's get this in a sequential

list

um

and uh in particular writing longhand

does unique things neurologically

speaking

um so list everything that is lesson

number one in becoming a better systems

thinker read uh read checklist Manifesto

and practice lists it will change your

life

um another aspect of this is I wanted to

delve into a very specific kind of list

which is that cause and effect

that's sequential and so in the book the

pattern Seekers by Simon Baron Cohen

um he he articulates that there is one

formula that um those of us with certain

kinds of autism tend to excel in and

that is if then because it's a simple

pattern if x then y because Z so like if

I throw this at the wall it'll make a

sound because of the reverberation right

so if you're if your brain naturally is

curious and you explore things you say

if I do this or if if you know situation

A is true

um then uh result B happens and here's

the cause

here's the thing humans are naturally

curious if you ever watch a child

playing with something like pushing

something over that's a natural

experiment if I push this over it falls

because that's just how gravity works or

you know if I fold this air paper

airplane this way and throw it it flies

well because or maybe it doesn't fly

well because

so these natural experiments that's

that's how our brains work science is an

attempt to formalize that now here's the

thing is you know there's all kinds of

methods and techniques and tools within

science but that's all science is if x

then y because Z

it's coming up with explanations so you

can practice this and and saying if x

then y because Z is way easier than

talking about science right it's just

that's how you establish patterns right

and so by listing things out you say

like okay if this is true then this you

know is what hap this is the natural

result because why and then you can test

that you can test that with Socratic

reasoning and so on and so forth and

we'll get into some of these things in

Greater detail in future videos

um now one thing to keep in mind is uh

there are some legitimate criticisms of

of Simon's book because it focuses on

the masculinization uh theory of autism

which is Thoroughly debunked so he's

basically looking at a very particular

kind of autism which he never really

addresses in the book I don't I don't

remember

um because

he basically ignores the existence of of

autism in women and females and girls

um that being said

his thesis is here is the pattern of the

pattern secret so interesting book

okay so the second lesson of systems

thinking is taxonomies layered models

and hierarchies so rather than

um rather than teach you with lists I'll

just show you

so this is the um the taxonomic system

as created by Linnaeus so Linnaeus

one thing that you have to keep in mind

is that many many years ago people would

look out into the world and not

understand the relationship of how

animals and plants and all living things

related to each other

so for instance people used to group

Things based on where they were so

everything in the water was a fish

and now we understand that you know fish

is different from a mammal because

they're hot blooded and cold-blooded so

on and so forth

um you know or plants fungus and Moss

would have been all like our trees uh

moss and and mushrooms would have all

been categorized the same because

they're in the dirt

um bats and birds would have all been

you know flying things uh even though we

understand that they're different now

and so what Linnaeus did was he went

around the world and categorized and

created a classification system to

understand the relationship between

animals and so what he basically did is

he reverse engineered the tree of life

and so by breaking it down the way that

he did he created a taxonomic ranking

system a tiered system that has layers

of abstraction

and so the smallest layer or the bottom

layer is the species that is the

individual classification of organisms

and above that you have the genus family

order class phylum kingdom and domain so

on and so forth getting progressively

larger and more all-encompassing

um so this is an example of a one it

took many many years to collect enough

evidence to do this and I don't think he

had it right the first time and he was

also let's say very sure of himself

um after walking around I think

Scandinavia for a couple years he's like

I have clearly classified almost every

uh species on the planet and that was

not true he did like five thousand or

fifteen thousand species

um you know here we are you know a

couple million species later uh but the

system he created uh was very prescient

in that it was able to accommodate

um the rest uh ditto for the uh the

Periodic Table of Elements which I

forgot to include but that is an example

of creating a taxonomic system now am I

going to tell you you need to practice

creating taxonomic systems and change

the world no there are other things you

can do

so here's another example of of a

layered model or a taxonomic system so

this is the OSI model which has to do

with computers and networking so at the

bottom of this model is the physical

layer so the physical layer is you know

if you plug in your uh your your router

uh to your home or your Wi-Fi or

whatever

this is the physical medium over which

information traverses

um and then the next layer up is the

data link layer so this is the first

layer in which bits and bytes are

traversing between one device and

another and it goes so on and so forth

higher up the up the stack until you get

to the until you get to the application

which is what it is that you're actually

consuming so like you know YouTube is

presented over the application layer

right this is the highest layer although

I will say that like HTTP so HTTP is the

protocol that you're familiar with that

is the application layer that delivers

the application that you're consuming

um and so this is an example that like

this is taught in computer science 101

uh networking 101 so on and so forth so

that that way you understand that all of

networking is is uh created in this

layered model which helps you with

designing systems with troubleshooting

systems

um and understanding where the

boundaries between certain kinds of

systems are

so this is another example of a layered

model

um uh also borrowing from from computer

this is this is a security model so this

is called the defense in-depth model so

this is another rather than looking at

it like a stack this looks at it more

like an onion right so but again the

point is is that it's layered it's a

hierarchy and so at the bottom of

Defense in depth is the device this is

the physical device which I don't have a

phone right now

um but here I've got a camera

um so this is like a device so device

security I have physical control over

this device

um and so if you want to steal the data

you would need the device my you know my

um my card in it or it would need to be

connected and I don't have this

connected to Wi-Fi

um but

the point remains your phone however is

always connected right

um if it has power it is connected to a

network somewhere and so then you get

you know the individual device you get

the application uh the computer at

system as a whole

um so a device would be like peripheral

I guess and then a computer is the whole

computer system then the network

so we just looked at the OSI model then

you have physical security so that's

like security around the building

um in which data is housed or machines

can be accessed and then you have the

human layer at the top which is policies

procedures and awareness so again this

is this is a hierarchical way of looking

at cyber security

here's another example this is this is a

taxonomy that I created for cognitive

architecture

um and at the bottom there is episodic

and declarative memory which is just raw

data that you're uh that the AI

accumulates then there's recall then

there's um the morality the objective

functions

um then there's memory and distillation

above that there's cognitive control

which is you know managing tasks above

that is problem solving and then finally

executive function which is behavior and

output so again it's a layered hierarchy

um whoops I forgot to add the end title

screen so

um I apologize so these are all examples

of taxonomies or hierarchies or layered

models

um and so what you can do is you don't

have to necessarily create these but you

can be aware of them and use them right

and you can also create do these with

lists you notice how they're all nice

and ordered so creating order with lists

is one of the primary things you can do

in order to practice systems thinking so

that is the common theme of today's

video which is to create these

structured uh lists or these orders of

whatever it is that you're doing and

um so you know uh

whatever it is that you're whatever it

is that you do your job you can probably

list it out like this in terms of

protocols procedures and then you have

these these more conceptual models that

you can also create like you could

probably create a conceptual model

around

um you know cooking dinner or driving

your car or whatever so I hope this was

helpful

um

let me know what you think in the

comments because uh this is this is a

topic that I haven't really taught

before so anyways thanks for watching I

hope I hope this was hope this was

valuable