HOLISTIC NATURAL SYSTEMS - DESIGN & STEERING

NEW SCIENCE FOR INDIVIDUAL SYSTEMS

Abstract

Abstract

Great societies and their cultures grow from small beginnings, some becoming imperiled by challenges of their own making, as ours has with our ever-growing power causing conflicts both with ourselves and nature. It is now becoming possible to compare the functional designs of different kinds of growth systems in their natural contexts, using new methods of natural systems science. We start with easily recognized functional features of natural systems found in natural and human system designs. Some notably end up in trouble. Others reliably work out just fine. It exposes important functional differences as in how internal and external parts fit together. Better steering to focus more attention on the system contexts, inside and out, is often suggested. –– Learning to recognize natural systems starts with seeing how they begin, with a primed nucleus, seed, or germ of design in a nourishing place and compound growth. The result may be a snowflake, tree, person, business, organization, culture, etc., all needing to maintain their healthy coupling with their environment(s) as each evolves for a short or long time. –– For people, there is a second nested coupling of relationships of concern, our separate mental and physical worlds. We have a long historical experience of our minds making us feel out of place in the world, not at home, as if reality were somewhat conceptual. So, this is the “kit of parts” we use to understand our world today, looking for what we can know about systems we rely on and do not control, asking what kind of steering might address present problems and issues. Simple diagrams help prompt good leading questions about how to make a future and feel at home.