Lynn Rasmussen
Systems thinking is defined in a variety of ways, usually starting with everything is a system made up of systems and how all is interconnected, maybe including feedback loops and/or boundaries, and then something about the perspective of the observer or mental models. Some systems thinkers offer quite deep and complex frameworks and observations.
Systems thinking can be more consistently framed, grounded, and deepened using emerging systems science. Len Troncale’s Systems Processes Theory describes how every system in existence–atoms, stars, persons, organisations, ecologies, philosophies, and technologies–emerges from and runs on the same patterns of interactivity. My book, Seeing: A Field Guide to the Patterns and Processes of Nature, Culture, and Consciousness, introduces nineteen “systems processes” —networks, self-organisation, boundary, bonding, feedback, information, energy, evolution, cycles, states and state transitions, and more.
Duane Hybertson describes science activity as (1) the observation of regularities; (2) the modelling and testing of regularities, and (3) the stories/theories about those observations, regularities, and models. The various sciences observe particular types of regularities and ask particular questions about particular kinds of systems. Systems science observes the same regularities within every type of system and asks the same questions of every type of system: Is it a subsystem? Is it made up of subsystems? Is it a network? Part of a network or networks?
What are its boundaries? What are its outputs? Inputs? What are its information processes? Does it evolve?
Systems processes have functions in systems, which leads to questions like, “Does the network ensure the distribution of information, material, and energy to all nodes?” “Are boundaries too open or too protective?”” Is the system adequately informed? Does it adequately inform other systems?” “Is material and energy adequate and used efficiently?” “Does the system coevolve with surrounding systems?”
Identifying how a system works and also its pathologies—how a system goes wrong—reveal how to maintain and improve it. A more complete grounding in science becomes essential for systemic design, assessment, learning, and evolution.
As children, we were taught to see very simple abstractions.
In the future, hopefully, children will be taught three-dimensional patterns that move and change through time. Patterns like networks, cycles, interactions, and evolution.
These are the systems processes
The patterns of interactivity that Nature’s systems have used to organise themselves since the Big Bang.
Understand how these systems processes interact to emerge as whole systems, and you will better design your own. And you will also see how they go wrong.
We humans, our organisations, our technologies and even our philosophies and beliefs are made up of these same systems processes.
Systems thinking is a broad concept. The simplest introductions start with a number of concepts.
All things are systems.
Systems interact with each other.
Systems evolve.
Systems depend upon the observer.
Some systems thinkers base their work on feedback loops. A system can be understood by the interactions within and with other systems, and those interactions can be mapped.
But systems thinking is a precursor to what children and adults will know in the future when there is an established systems science.
The basics are simple.
They are patterns of activity, of behaviours. They interact with each other to emerge as the reality that we see.
Nature’s systems use these patterns to exist. These are Nature’s algorithms. So, why should we care?
When you can describe the patterns of interactivity, the systems processes that make up a system, and you can describe their functions in a system, then you can also describe how they go wrong.
We’ve already seen how helpful systems thinking can be. Imagine this toolbox!
Here’s a brief example.
From systems thinking to systems science
Applying the fundamentals of systems science
Someday, children will learn about networks and feedback loops, hierarchies and cycles, in the same way they learn about circles and spheres, squares and cubes now.
Imagine this: Every system, every thing in the Universe, is made up of the same patterns. They are Nature’s algorithms, repeated again and again.
They are remarkably familiar because you are made up of them and you use them every moment.
Here’s how they work:
A system, whether it is a cell, a star, a forest, or a person, interacts with its environment.
Interacting requires outputs–something put out or movement in the environment. The output becomes input. His flow of energy/material “in-forms” the system. Literally forms it. Then the system responds. Feeds back.
Interactions form networks, networks form hierarchies, and thesis systems proliferate, vary, and then search around for other systems to cooperate with. Because cooperation saves energy and material for individuals. It’s protective. It pays off.
New systems emerge. Evolution happens when the same kind of system changes. Systems ontogenesis happens when new systems appear from these combinations.
Here’s a simple system:
Now, you may ask, so what? Who cares?
Well, each of these “systems processes—networks, boundaries, interactions, feedback loops, and more–has particular functions in a system and among systems. When you see how they work, then you can see how a system is healthy and when it is not.
Here’s an example:
Ask the following questions of any system:
Your self, your marriage, your family, your organisation, your backyard, your project.
I can describe politics:
I can describe religions: what is this teaching? Do unto others, a feedback loop. Karma, chaos theory.
The middle way: balancing feedback.
I can look at politics: A
It’s not either/or. A healthy system has it all.
The question becomes not what side I am on, but how can I make this system healthier?
I can apply it to my own consciousness:
When I’m relatively open, thoughts flow. Relatively closed, thoughts are circular/negative,
All the religions and martial arts teach how to open in the face of fear and threat, how to see more clearly,
The problem is that we don’t have a clear science that teaches this. Some people think that system dynamics is enough. Others learned network science. Others, cybernetics. Others, a simple systems thinking tool.
All are part of the whole. Explore any of them in depth, and you add more and more processes.
Profile
Lynn Rasmussen
Maui Institute
Lynn Rasmussen is the author of the 2024 book, Seeing: A Field Guide to the Patterns and Processes of Nature, Culture, and Consciousness. Her 25-year fascination with systems science has led to extensive research and ongoing conversations with many of today’s cutting-edge systems theorists. Educated in public health and psychology, she has applied a systemic worldview to coaching highly creative people, nonprofit and business development, and personal relationships. Lynn cofounded the Maui Institute to apply systems science to observations, ideas, and actions on her island home and in the world. Learn more at MauiInstitute.org and on Substack at mauiinstitute.substack.com.
