A Brief History of Systems Science, Chaos and Complexity

Summary

A short primer from regenerative designer Daniel Christian Wahl on how systems science became complexity theory, where the aim shifts from control to understanding “the systems we participate in so that our participation can be more appropriate”. Which means we “accept uncertainty, not-knowing, and unpredictability fully to the point of deep humility”, yet still try to “design for positive emergence”.

Rationale

Complexity teaches him the humility it taught us: no straight line runs from intervention to outcome. Like us, he won’t let that not-knowing become an excuse for paralysis.

Source: medium.com