What to do when systems resist change; an excerpt from Donella Meadows's unfinished last book. By Donella Meadows (Whole Earth Winter 2001) Quick Summary of Points. Get the beat. Listen to the wisdom of the system. Expose your mental models to the open air. Stay humble. Stay a learner. Honor and protect information. Locate responsibility in the system. Make feedback policies for feedback systems. Pay attention to what is important, not just what is quantifiable. Go for the … [Read more...]
Permaculture
Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally production ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. Without permanent agriculture there is no possibility of stable social order. - Bill Mollison, Permaculture: A Designers' … [Read more...]
Go placidy amid the noise & haste…
Go placidly amid the noise & haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; And listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud & aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with other, you may become vain and bitter; For always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your … [Read more...]
Dancing with Systems
Versions of this piece have been published in Whole Earth, winter 2001 and The Systems Thinker, Vol. 13, No. 2 (March 2002). The Dance 1. Get the beat. 2. Listen to the wisdom of the system. 3. Expose your mental models to the open air. 4. Stay humble. Stay a learner. 5. Honor and protect information. 6. Locate responsibility in the system. 7. Make feedback policies for feedback systems. 8. Pay attention to what is important, not just what is … [Read more...]
An Introduction to Planet Earth…
I think this is probably the best introduction to Planet Earth I've ever read. Here is my one page edit... Earth is Whole Earth is not flat. Earth is much more than round. Earth is whole. "Earth is Whole" means that all the planet's physical features and living organisms are interconnected. They work together in important and meaningful ways. The clouds, oceans, mountains, volcanoes, plants, bacteria and animals all play important roles in determining how our planet works. Systems within … [Read more...]
Designing an Open Organisation
Another extract from a recent e-mail... As for organisational structure, I think you and Imogen are both right. You need to define and be explicit about your structure, but operational units should have as much autonomy as possible within their defined limits/remit. People investing more time and energy in the project can still have more say about how stuff is done. Afterall, it seems fair that those doing the more implementation work should have more say in decisions about how, and what, work … [Read more...]