So far I've described the adaptive cycles only in very elementary terms. Time to add a level of detail so that this concept can gain more contour and depth. Let's take the lying eight as the starting point. Without a doubt that is the most common depiction of adaptive cycles that you can find on the … Continue reading Between potential and connectedness
What is it that adaptive cycles could tell us about innovation? Which new perspective could they give us? Could they actually serve as a common backdrop, a "unifying field theory" that covers all dimensions of innovation? That could incorporate the relevant aspects of technology, business, and society? I'm curious to learn more about the ups and … Continue reading Adaptive cycles and innovation – first contact
No matter how hard we try to keep things simple and under control, many man-made systems turn out to be – or to become over time – quite complex and unpredictable. Despite our effort. Against our intentions. In stark contrast to our preference for simple, linear, static, controllable, predictable systems. Computer software, stock markets and tax codes are … Continue reading The dynamic ups and downs of human systems
Energy, society, complexity and innovation are intertwined through a multitude of interrelations that are sometimes difficult to grasp. In an earlier post, I've offered a storyline to describe this nexus, based on the considerations of Joseph Tainter and Ian Morris. In essence, the energy supply available to a society poses a limit on the complexity this society can … Continue reading Energy and society – an accident waiting to happen?
Recently I've presented some ideas on the complex interrelation between energy, society, and innovation. As you might have expected, the textual description of that topic is complex as well; hence I've worked on some simple charts to support the overall storyline. A first simple overview could look like two cycles connected through innovation. On the left, you'll find … Continue reading Energy and society – some simple charts …
understanding innovation 