
Thinking in Systems
A Primer
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Buy Now for $22.99
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Narrated by:
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Tia Rider Sorensen
About this listen
In the years following her role as the lead author of the international best seller, Limits to Growth - the first book to show the consequences of unchecked growth on a finite planet - Donella Meadows remained a pioneer of environmental and social analysis until her untimely death in 2001.
Thinking in Systems is a concise and crucial book offering insight for problem-solving on scales ranging from the personal to the global. Edited by the Sustainability Institute's Diana Wright, this essential primer brings systems thinking out of the realm of computers and equations and into the tangible world, showing listeners how to develop the systems-thinking skills that thought leaders across the globe consider critical for 21st-century life.
Some of the biggest problems facing the world - war, hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation - are essentially system failures. They cannot be solved by fixing one piece in isolation from the others, because even seemingly minor details have enormous power to undermine the best efforts of too-narrow thinking.
While listeners will learn the conceptual tools and methods of systems thinking, the heart of the book is grander than methodology. Donella Meadows was known as much for nurturing positive outcomes as she was for delving into the science behind global dilemmas. She reminds listeners to pay attention to what is important, not just what is quantifiable, to stay humble, and to stay a learner.
In a world growing ever more complicated, crowded, and interdependent, Thinking in Systems helps listeners avoid confusion and helplessness, the first step toward finding proactive and effective solutions.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2008 Sustainability Institute (P)2018 Chelsea Green PublishingA mind-opening read
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loved it
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This is skilfully written, describes familiar scenarios and examples to explain the concepts.
A simple system is explained as a ‘stock’ with in-flows, out-flows and feedback. Then layered goals, constraints and interventions. With the later part covering multiple interacting systems.
I found the insights quite thought provoking.
Slow but worth your patience
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A very important book
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The book is full of stories and examples, which some I would argue that they are relevant, while others not so much.
It is an enjoyable ride nonetheless, definitely better than many other books, but definitely not life changing either.
Good primer, but nothing life changing
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Great book
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a worthy listen
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Required reading for all change agents
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decent enough high level overview
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Insightful and Accessible
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