Hey, Jay, I agree with you here... Eva
> I all cases, when I say "sciences", I mean "systems sciences" -- big picture
> sciences that include the social impacts in analysis. I am thinking of a
> top-down analysis of the whole enchilada
>
> SYSTEM DEFINED
> Interacting, interrelated, or interdependent parts combine to form a
> "system." A system exhibits emergent "properties" that are different from
> the properties of the individual parts. Alone, the individual parts of a
> bicycle do not exhibit the property of a bicycle (people transporter). The
> property of a bicycle emerges once the parts are in their proper places and
> interacting together.
>
> To solve a problem in a system, one must analyze the relationships of the
> parts to each other and to the environment. For example, if the spark plugs
> were removed from a car's engine and put in the back seat, an inventory of
> the parts would show the car intact. To understand why the car's properties
> had changed, one would have to study the relationship of the spark plugs to
> the rest of the engine.
>
> It is important to understand that system properties derive from the ongoing
> interaction of the parts. If a system is producing unwanted effects, then
> we consider improving the system so that it stops producing those unwanted
> effects. For example, should we "treat the symptoms" of an unmoving car by
> attaching a horse, or should we improve the system by putting the spark
> plugs back
> into the engine? This example is not as silly as it seems, because we
> usually treat symptoms rather than improve systems -- it's the way our
> economic system works.
>
> For example, some unwanted effects of the "booze" industry are alcoholics.
> Rather than trying to improve the system (e.g., by banning booze
> advertising), we treat the symptoms by creating a
> new industry to treat alcoholism. If the pesticide or tobacco industry
> causes cancer, then so much the better for those in the cancer industry.
> The same illustrations also apply to many other social and environmental
> problems.
>
> Obviously, if our economic system is producing unwanted effects, we should
> improve it so it stops producing those unwanted effects. We know it can be
> done because lobbyists "improve" our
> economic system all the time.
>
> By "treating the symptoms" we continuously increase system complexity -- and
> increase minimum energy requirements (see Tainter). But if we "fixed the
> system", we would simplify and reduce minimum energy requirements.
>
> Jay
>
>
>
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
