On Nov 12, 4:32 am, "Edward K. Ream" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > In my mind, the essential point of the 12 leverage points is that the > world needs *negative* growth in population, resource usage and > environmental destruction. The bozo optimists disagree. They deny > the costs of positive (cancerous) growth and expect science and > technology to do the impossible. > > Edward > > P.S. It is becoming clear to all but the most self-interested that the > costs of regulating financial markets and other complex systems is > *insignificant* compared to the costs of letting those systems run to > collapse. Maybe this "high level" realization will make a difference, > but that is not a foregone conclusion. > > EKR
The bozo optimism, skepticism toward regulation are based on empirical evidence. I recommend Michael Crichton's assay: http://www.michaelcrichton.com/speech-complexity.html He writes "... a complex system cannot be controlled, it can only be managed. Because responses cannot be predicted, the system can only be observed and responded to." The 12 leverage points articles actually supports the above conclusion. What she writes about Point 12, Constants, parameters,numbers, is especially revealing: "Parameters are the points of least leverage on my list of interventions. Diddling with the details, arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Probably 90--no 95--no 99 percent of our attention goes to parameters, but there's not a lot of leverage in them." This is an admission that the modelers cannot control a real complex system. The points of high leverage are potentially dictatorial: brainwashing, rewriting laws, eliminating opponents. But this is not controlling the system, it's re- constituting it. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "leo-editor" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/leo-editor?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
