

Balancing control and chaos: cybernetics, fraud, and modern organizations with Dan Davies
58 snips Aug 22, 2024
Dan Davies, author of "Lying for Money" and "The Unaccountability Machine," delves into the complexities of cybernetics and its impact on modern organizations. He explores how organizations adapt as they grow, revealing the intricate relationship between financial fraud and system design. The conversation highlights the dangers of detachment in decision-making and the innovative solutions required for managing modern complexities. Davies also shares insights from his journey transitioning from banking to writing, emphasizing the true value of community connections in publishing.
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Cybernetics
- Cybernetics applies mathematics to systems where key aspects aren't quantifiable.
- It studies information as a control mechanism, balancing system chaos.
Free Markets vs. Systems Analysis
- Post-WWII, the West prioritized free markets over rigorous systems analysis.
- This approach, while initially successful, may be reaching its limits.
Internal vs. External Markets
- Capitalism uses price signals and markets between firms.
- Within firms, command and control structures prevail.