Overcommitted Ep. 11 | Thinking in Systems - Book Club Recap
Jun 10, 2025
34:19
Summary
In this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, hosts Bethany, Brittany, and Erika discuss their experiences with the book 'Thinking in Systems' by Donella Meadows. They explore the concepts of systems thinking and its applications in software engineering, team dynamics, and societal issues. The conversation delves into the importance of feedback loops, user experience, and the impact of organizational structures on individual performance. The hosts also reflect on their book club experience, sharing insights on how to foster engaging discussions and learning opportunities.
Links
- Thinking in Systems
- The point of the system is what it does - Anil Dash
- Just for fun
- Changelog episode about COBOL
Takeaways
- The book 'Thinking in Systems' is approachable and easy to read.
- Systems thinking can be applied to various fields, not just software engineering.
- Feedback loops are crucial in understanding how systems function.
- Understanding the goals of a system can help identify problems.
- Organizational systems can be challenging to change compared to software systems.
- The book club format enhances learning and engagement.
- It's important to recognize the motivations within a system.
- Technical discussions can be enriched by diverse perspectives.
Hosts
- overcommitted.dev
- Bethany Janos: https://github.com/bethanyj28
- Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com
- Eggyhead: https://github.com/eggyhead