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Systems thinking. Impression of systems thinking about society[1] A system is composed of interrelated parts or components (structures) that cooperate in processes (behavior). Natural systems include biological entities, ocean currents, the climate, the solar system and ecosystems. Designed systems include airplanes, software systems, technologies and machines of all kinds, government agencies and business systems. Systems Thinking has at least some roots in the General System Theory that was advanced by Ludwig von Bertalanffy in the 1940s and furthered by Ross Ashby in the 1950s. The term Systems Thinking is sometimes used as a broad catch-all heading for the process of understanding how systems behave, interact with their environment and influence each other.
The term is also used more narrowly as a heading for thinking about social organisations, be they natural or designed, healthy or unhealthy. The concept of a system[edit] The several ways to think of and define a system include: Some examples: A Tool too far: A Systems Perspective of Targets. There can be few things that provoke more emotive responses in public sector workers than the subject of targets. Centrally imposed targets have been cited as underlying factors in many of the recent major public sector scandals including MRSA infection rates, Staffordshire Hospital and Baby P. Recently, some senior local authority managers, including some who are members of SOLACE, have released a report ( ) providing evidence of the damage that is being done by targets in their services. Perhaps an indication that targets are falling out of favour (for the time being at least) is the quiet withdrawal of an Audit Commission report, , from open download.
The reality is that management by targets was always going to run into trouble. Wherever there are targets, there are a series of unintended consequences, many of which hit our headlines on a daily basis. To discuss targets invites a return to definitions. What is a target? Figure 2. One common reaction is to cheat to meet the target. Gregory Benford. Investment research | Front Page - The Truth Goes Viral, Part 2: Italian Towns Damaged by Derivatives, Downtown Brooklyn Real E. Technology Review: Energy Channel. T r u t h o u t. Tax Day Tea Party. Powell Memo: Text and Analysis. The Powell Memo was first published August 23, 1971 Introduction In 1971, Lewis Powell, then a corporate lawyer and member of the boards of 11 corporations, wrote a memo to his friend Eugene Sydnor, Jr., the Director of the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce. The memorandum was dated August 23, 1971, two months prior to Powell’s nomination by President Nixon to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Powell Memo did not become available to the public until long after his confirmation to the Court. Though Powell’s memo was not the sole influence, the Chamber and corporate activists took his advice to heart and began building a powerful array of institutions designed to shift public attitudes and beliefs over the course of years and decades.
Most notable about these institutions was their focus on education, shifting values, and movement-building — a focus we share, though often with sharply contrasting goals.* (See our endnote for more on this.) So did Powell’s political views influence his judicial decisions? The Authoritarians. (Home Page Preface Written in 2006) OK, what’s this book about? It’s about what’s happened to the American government lately. It’s about the disastrous decisions that government has made. It’s about the corruption that rotted the Congress. It’s about how traditional conservatism has nearly been destroyed by authoritarianism.
“Well,” you might be thinking, “I don’t believe any of this is true.” Because if you do, you’ll begin an easy-ride journey through some very relevant scientific studies I have done on authoritarian personalities--one that will take you a heck of a lot less time than the decades it took me. For example, take the following statement: “Once our government leaders and the authorities condemn the dangerous elements in our society, it will be the duty of every patriotic citizen to help stomp out the rot that is poisoning our country from within.” Don’t think for a minute this doesn’t concern you personally. I think you’ll find this book “explains a lot.” Danger Room. Financial Armageddon. Seven Warning Signs of Bogus Science.
Robert L. Park, Ph.D The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is investing close to a million dollars in an obscure Russian scientist's antigravity machine, although it has failed every test and would violate the most fundamental laws of nature. The Patent and Trademark Office recently issued Patent 6,362,718 for a physically impossible motionless electromagnetic generator, which is supposed to snatch free energy from a vacuum. And major power companies have sunk tens of millions of dollars into a scheme to produce energy by putting hydrogen atoms into a state below their ground state, a feat equivalent to mounting an expedition to explore the region south of the South Pole.
There is, alas, no scientific claim so preposterous that a scientist cannot be found to vouch for it. And many such claims end up in a court of law after they have cost some gullible person or corporation a lot of money. In 1993, however, with the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Daubert v. 1. 2. 3. 4. Pharyngula. Skepchick. Welcome to the - Ministry of Rum. Patswine whisky whiskey wijn slijterij online spirits wisky - Whiskey Wijnen Spirits Port Groningen. Back to School Month: Peak Oil 101 : Casaubon's Book. Every so often someone comes up to me with fiery eyes and raring for a battle and says “I don’t believe in Peak Oil” or “I don’t believe in Climate Change.”
When this happens, I think they expect me to argue with them, and I do. But isn’t the argument they expect – my standard response, correct almost 100% of the time is not to make the case for peak oil or climate change, but to argue “Yes, you do, in fact, believe in them.” Telling other people what they believe is a chancy business, but I feel reasonably confident in doing so, because when someone says they don’t believe in peak oil or climate change, they don’t really mean it. In fact, I’m fact I’m willing to lay odds that you and I have 98% agreement on peak oil – no matter how much you think we don’t, no matter who you are.
With the exception of a few flat earthers who would deny there was ever an ice age or a few abiotic oil wackaloons, everyone believes in peak oil and climate change. (Source, Kenneth Deffeyes) Looky, a peak! 1. Downloads. Peak uranium. Peak uranium is the point in time that the maximum global uranium production rate is reached. After that peak, according to Hubbert peak theory, the rate of production enters a terminal decline. While uranium is used in nuclear weapons, its primary use is for energy generation via nuclear fission of the uranium-235 isotope in a nuclear power reactor.[1] Each kilogram of uranium-235 fissioned releases the energy equivalent of millions of times its mass in chemical reactants, as much energy as 2700 tons of coal, but uranium-235 is only 0.7% of the mass of natural uranium.[2] Uranium-235 is a finite non-renewable resource.[1][3] However, the current reserves of uranium have the potential (assuming improved technology) to provide power for humanity for billions of years, until the death of our sun, so nuclear power can be termed sustainable energy.[4] Observers contend that idea of "energy independence" is an unrealistic concept in relation with Liquid metal fast breeder reactor.[5] M.
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