Subject: Cultural SD

Posted by Richard Plate on 12/3/2008
In Reply To:Cultural SD Posted by Lees N. Stuntz on 12/2/2008

Message:

I think the answer to Lees’s question depends somewhat on what one considers the “lessons of SD.” If we are simply talking about an understanding of—and the ability to apply—systems concepts in our attempt to understand a complex system, then I would offer myself as evidence that the answer is yes. I consider myself fairly well versed in systems concepts and their application to environmental systems, social issues, and ethics. However, I am not a modeler and have little experience with programs like Stella or Vensim.
My own interest in systems education is in developing courses just like Jay and Lees describe. I taught a course on environmental ethics and politics from a systems perspective. We didn’t use any computer modeling. I presented four main concepts: stocks and flows, scale, nonlinear feedback, and adaptive cycles. The last concept is a reference to the literature on system resilience from C.S. Holling, Lance Gunderson and others. Throughout the course we studied a number of environmental controversies, exploring the insights gleaned from viewing them through a systems lens. I feel the course was at least a moderate success. The students left with a better understanding of systems concepts and an appreciation for how they can be useful. Some may argue that I have set the bar a bit low with these criteria. Perhaps, but given the choice of having a small portion of the public proficient with computer modeling or a much larger portion with at least a basic understanding of systems concepts, I would prefer the latter.

This is not to say that computer modeling is unimportant. However, I think much can be gained by teaching systems to non-modelers for the same reasons we teach science to non-scientists.

Cheers,
Richard