Vol. 68 No. 1 (2024): The 68th Annual Proceedings of the International Society for the Systems Sciences
Proceedings for the 68th Annual Meeting of The International Society for the Systems Sciences, June 9 – 13th, Washington D.C. U.S.A.
The general theme of the conference is: influence and responsibility.
As systems scientists we see the world and its parts as systems. The systems influence themselves over time – the change and evolve. They influence other systems and the context within which they are placed. Systems scientists influence the systems they study and work with, and the systems influence them back – even if it is just to confirm what the systems scientist already knew. Decision makers make decisions in a complex and every changing world. Too often they are unaware of the riches of the systems sciences, and make poor decisions as a result. As a species we have a lot of influence on the biosphere, and many would argue that we have too much power over it because we are affecting it in harmful and irreparable ways. That harm affects our own functioning as individual human systems and it affects social systems.
As systems scientists we have a responsibility to help decision makers make better decisions. Decision makers have the responsibility to learn systems science in order to make better decisions. As a species, we cannot afford to make many more mistakes. Let us take our responsibility seriously and influence others together when we can do so effectively.
