Thinking in Systems, Key Ideas (Ch. 1)

In this video, I go through the key ideas in Ch. 1 of Donella H. Meadows' book, Thinking in Systems. I go through key ideas such as the definition of a system, feedback loops, stock & flow, and elements/connectors/purposes.

[strategyentropy]

Ashley, I watched the series and I'd like to compliment you on the effective summary of this important work in systems thinking. It could really bring humanity to a different level if only it were widely taught in the general curriculum, rather than in specialized system dynamics tracks.

[andile]

As an engineer, I loved the book. I think the shifts (changing stock gradually) that only appear 2-3 years later are akin to trends.

[tropestar]

Just finished the first chapter last night. Great overview of the material, really helpful for integrating it.

[thomasjones]

A previous job I had entailed learning electronic systems that are full of connections, stocks, and flows. Once I understood how to read a circuit diagram I could diagnose and fix the problem. I believe thinking in systems is a tool that can lead to understanding and problem-solving. My issue is how to diagram a system.

[rodrigomiyamoto]

Great video! A subject that is not common for economists but explained by one is really useful (I am an economist either).

[governancesection]

Very interesting. I really look forward to seeing your lectures on other books.

[BC-huyq]

I was just about to start this audiobook! Thank you for the breakdown.

[blackviking]

Just came across your channel. Really enjoyed this video! You do a great job of explaining systems thinking.

[graytonw]

This is great! I have Donna's book and tried reading it some time ago, but I got bogged down in just the first chapter. I'm going to watch this series and have another go at it.

[lmpmotivation]

You are really talented my friend 🤗 you have my full support 😁 thank you for sharing this amazing video👌👍👌👍✨

[thecraftofmemory]

Great channel! Loving the videos. I will continue to watch them. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[jeremynguyen]

What a great video. How do you mic yourself up so that your voice is still clear when you turn to the whiteboard?

[werthersoriginal]

When the Soviet Union and China introduced capitalism, the former opted to change the system instantly, while the latter, opted to gradually change the system.

I think it's a very interesting observation that some systems can't just instantly change, like the bathtub analogy.

[NPC--]

In Archimate: Elements = Active Structures, Connectors = relationships, passive objects. Purposes = Objectives, Outcomes, Functions ... potentially!?

[hohljdn]

I just stumbled across your channel and I am trying to self learn economics. Where should I start and what videos do you recommend to watch?

[davidchou]

So what's the purpose of the universe?

Serious question. Specifically, why space and time, which then seem to lead to scarcity of resources and therefore competition and therefore exploitation...?

What is the "more" that is above and beyond the sum of all the parts of the universe??

[ahmedbellankas]

Is it actually the case that if we replace all elements of the system, the system will survive?
Suppose, we bring person x to school y and person x is new to school y, and there is person z who h had been in school y for a long time, now that z can teach x about school's rules, but now suppose we eliminated all persons who had been in school y and then bring x to school y, and suupose that there's no books or articles which are in school y and can tell anything to x about school y rules, and suppose also that x can't go outside school y, now can x know anything about school y rules? No, if the one who did the replacement didn't teach him (teach x) or tell him.

[ArashArfaee]

Most and fastest changes happen during disasters; fast and not with much mercy for what the state of the system is. I have a hard time fitting this fact in author's model. Undoubtedly some changes happen following this model, but considering the jump we had during major disasters like wold wars or COVID-19 world wide infection, those changes seems marginal.
I believe in many system her model is valid, however it's not easy to consider it as a valid strategy or valid set of expected events, in compression.

[simpleman]

U remind me of that cute assistant girl from American psycho!

[togo]

none of this is particularly profound or new to me i've always have systematic thinking