Tag: Systems Theory
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Attention is Agency
Many systems—biological, social, cognitive, technological—don’t eliminate internal tensions; they govern them. At their core lies a structure: two enduring opposites and a mediating force. The opposites remain; the mediator governs their expression. This isn’t merely synthesis or compromise. This leads to agency.
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Exact Justice
The word “just” comes from Latin iustus, rooted in ius—law, right, what is due. Its earliest sense is structural: justice as proportion, balance, proper allocation. To call something just is to say it fits within a system of order.
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GIGO – Garbage In, Garbage Out
The principle “Garbage In, Garbage Out” (GIGO) asserts the essential link between input data quality and output reliability, emphasizing the need for careful data validation. Rooted in computing history, its relevance spans across fields, advocating for meticulous data handling to ensure accurate outcomes.
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Ant Mill
In an “Ant Mill,” ants trapped in a loop demonstrate the limits of instinctual navigation, highlighting the balance between efficient communication and the risks of collective reliance.
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Antifragility
Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s antifragility describes systems that gain from stress, differentiating from mere resilience. This principle, applicable from biological to economic systems, underscores growth and adaptation amidst volatility and unpredictability.
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Participant-Instigation
The concept of “Participant-Instigation” highlights the central role participants play in initiating actions or changes. Rooted in historical events, its modern manifestations are shaped by digital platforms across diverse cultural settings. The concept is measurable and carries ethical implications.
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Metastability
Metastability denotes a system’s stable state that is not its most energetically optimal. These transient states can endure for significant durations and are observed across various domains, influencing both natural and technological behaviors.
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Path Dependence
Path dependence underscores how past choices shape present outcomes, often solidifying specific trajectories. Elements like sunk costs and increasing returns further entrench these paths. Though rooted in economics, the principle illuminates patterns in political, technological, and sociological realms.