Similarity between characteristics of a complex adaptive system and a wicked problem
I’ve just been reading about wicked problems and I’m struck by the similarities between the characteristics of a complex system and how Rittel and Webber …
Read MoreI remember using a contraption just like this
My first ‘real’ job was working as a research assistance at the Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies. We had a similar setup for our …
Read MoreGareth Morgan’s 15% concept
In our work to design complexity-based interventions our aim has been to create small initiatives, which in themselves are designed to address specific issues, that …
Read MoreA metaphor for attractors and strange attractors
The concepts of an attractor and strange attractor from complexity science can be difficult ideas to grasp, but I came across this metaphor by Bill …
Read MoreEdward Tufte New Chapter from Beautiful Evidence
For one month Edward Tufte is making available a chapter from his upcoming book, Beautiful Evidence. Tufte wrote 3 of my favourite books which I …
Read MoreComplexity, Stories, and Knowing
Ken Baskin presented this paper at the 2004 International Workshop on Complexity and Philosophy. I haven’t had a chance to read the paper yet but …
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The relevance of the open source model for communities of practice
I totally agree with Mitch Kapor’s when he says: “Open source heralds a global paradigm shift in social and economic value creation of enormous proportions, …
Read MoreThe role of free will in social complexity–does it exist?
Dave Snowden frequently says: “Humans are not ants. We have ‘free will’ and can impose order on an otherwise complex system.” This sounded like a sound …
Read MoreCommunity of practice adoption in government agencies
Government agencies have for some time embraced the idea of communities of practice. Australia seems to be behind the US and Europe in adopting CoPs …
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