An explanation of systems and exploration of how systems-thinking changes the way we examine problems.

1. Complexity, communication,
and the puzzle that matters
A systems-based approach to problem solving
Sabin Densmore
- Spring 2013 edu 6630-j03 Advanced metaphor and systems theory
- Spring 2013 edu 6630-j03 cybernetics, communications, and metanarrative theory

2. objectives
• How do systems influence meaning, self-understanding
• How does systems thinking affect communication
• How does any of this fit into the idea of “relational consciousness”?
• And what of it?

3. Some language clarification
• System: an entity, organism, or structure that is of greater value than the sum of its
parts; subject to some kind of organization schema (Bertalanffy, Laszlo, Bateson,
various dates)
• System thinking: thinking from a foundational perspective that everything is
potentially part of a system and is beholden to the behaviors of that system
(Bertalanffy, Laszlo)
• Cybernetic: self-correction; from the greek term for “steersman” or “rudder” (Weiner,
1948)
• Communication: transference of information of varying types between multiple
entities (Bateson, 1979; Pask, 1976)
• Metanarrative: in post-modernism, the idea that societal directions are subject to

4. What does a system look like?
Feedback
loops Flows
Stocks
stored
energy in
body
energy
available for
work
metabolic mobilization of energy energy Expenditure
discrepanc
y
coffee
intake
desired energy
level
B

5. Feedback loop
If “A” causes “B”, is it possible that “B” also
causes “A”?
“The concept of feedback opens up the idea that a system can cause its own behavior,”
- Donella H. Meadows, 2008

6. cybernetics
• Systems that cause their own behaviors are cybernetic
• Machine: Thermostats, steam engine governors, fuel injection
systems
• Digital: Artificial Intelligence, learning computers
• Nature: Humans, climate patterns

7. Cybernetics : existence
• Experiences define who we are (Piaget, Bronfenbrenner, Varela)
• We define our future experiences (Wisdom Cultures, Villoldo, Varela)
through action-taking
• Our future experiences define … etc.
• Cogito ergo sum (Descartes) gives way to Sensio ergo sum

8. Sensio ergo sum: feedback loop of life
Past
experienc
es
Current
state
R
Future
experienc
e
Reflection
on
experience
B
Information
from others
Information
to others

9. Cybernetics : existence
• It is the ability to reflect and react to reflection that makes a system
cybernetic
• Without reflection and balance
• The thermometer and steam engine build heat and pressure to a point of explosion
• A computer system doesn’t know when to stop calculating
• Hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes would never end
• You and I would continue to make the same mistakes we’ve always made
• If a system is stuck in a perpetual, non-evolutionary loop, it is not cybernetic

10. The thesis
As systems, problems benefit from and are susceptible to all of the same loops, triggers, and
emergences of other systems. Knowing that, problem solving becomes not about finding a
solution, but guiding the problem to a state of equilibrium or emergence.
As systems, problems benefit from and are susceptible to all of the same loops, triggers, and
emergences of other systems. Knowing that, problem solving becomes not about finding a
solution, but guiding the problem to a state of equilibrium or emergence.

11. The puzzle that matters
• Given that problems are systems how can we ever trace the cause of
a particular problem within a complex environment?
• Systems (ergo problems) can be self-causing
• Self-caused systems (problems) can interact with other systems in complex
ways
• Thus, causality becomes muddled
• We don’t solve, we guide towards equilibrium.
• That is the puzzle that matters

12. The puzzle that matters
a

13. The puzzle that matters
a
c
b
d
e
f