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Announcements

Announcements. Editorial reviewers References in research! More detailed project steps posted. Course so far. Part I: Desirable ends Envisioning Problems that need fixing Is ever increasing consumption the desirable end? Is there an alternative? TINA vs. LOIS Part II: Available resources

anneliese-panagos
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Announcements

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  1. Announcements • Editorial reviewers • References in research! • More detailed project steps posted

  2. Course so far • Part I: Desirable ends • Envisioning • Problems that need fixing • Is ever increasing consumption the desirable end? • Is there an alternative? TINA vs. LOIS • Part II: Available resources • 4 capitals • Part III: The Nature of the System • Complex systems • Waste management, imitating nature • Part IV: What can we do?

  3. The Nature of Complex Systems

  4. The Science of Complexity • New Science • Complexity theory • Chaos and fractals • Systems thinking

  5. Complexity science: emergent phenomena • Atoms molecules cells, life consciousness • Networks, connectivity, self catalytic reactions • Buttons and strings • Ecosystems, social systems, economic systems • What happens when we start snipping connections in our ecological, economic and social systems?

  6. Complexity science: Chaos Theory • Butterfly effect • Attractor basins • Totally different outcomes are possible from almost identical initial conditions

  7. Complexity science: Implications • Whole is greater than sum of the parts. • What’s the single most important problem we need to address?

  8. Complex systems • Uncertainty and ignorance • Feedback loops - Less plant growth Which Loop dominates?

  9. Mainstream Economics • All systems move towards equilibrium • All behaviors and motivations can be reduced to simple mathematical equations • All economic decisions are rational, completely separate from emotional, spiritual side • Market leads to single optimal equilibrium

  10. Rationality or Herd Behavior? • What happens if stock prices are increasing faster than interest rates? • What happens to investments when interest rates increase? • What happens if investing in stocks offers higher returns than investing in new production?

  11. Why are social systems different from natural systems? • Are natural systems affected by what scientists believe? • Are social systems affected by what scientists believe? • What is the likely impact on equilibrium?

  12. Solving problems in complex systems • Weakening positive feedback loops and strengthening negative ones + Pollution taxes +

  13. Avoiding problems in complex systems: learn from nature • Retaining redundancy in negative feedback loops What happens if we keep snipping the threads that hold it all together?

  14. Solving/avoiding problems in complex systems • Changing the goals • What would happen if a country strove to maximize happiness instead of GNP? • Changing world views • E.g. economic system as sub-system of sustaining and containing global ecosystem

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