This episode explores Systems Thinking, it's impact on innovation across history and how to use it as we build the future of technology. Most problems in the world aren't random accidents, they're built into the systems we live in. They drive the currents that change the world.
Systems Thinking is a key idea in science, politics and business, but it knows no boundaries as systems show up everywhere.
In every era of humanity we created new systems in politics, law, technology and economics to deal with the problems of the day. As new challenges arise in the 21st century, from the future of AI to global politics, it is up to humanity to build new systems to overcome them.
Systems thinking invites us to discover the threads that bind our actions, cultures, and destinies into unexpected tapestries:
- Stop firefighting and get to the root cause.
- Search for leverage points where small acts create outsized impact.
- Reframe crisis from an isolated disaster to an interconnected opportunity.
Fun fact - It's the UN's 80th birthday. Look out for other podcasters talking about sources of hope today.
ABOUT
How to Change the World is an independent podcast on a mission to document the entire history of innovation. One world-changing event at a time. In the process we are building out frameworks and mental models to think more coherently about global change.
Learn more - ChangeTheWorldPod.com
Written, edited, recorded, and produced entirely by Sam Webster Harris.
(He also makes the music...)
Help from:
Francisca Correia does the designs (available to hire)
Jeremy Enns is our incredible podcast mentor (available to hire)
BOOKS
Thinking in Systems: A primer - Donella Meadows
A masterclass on all things systems. (Many graphs, don't get the audiobook)
Systems Thinking Made Simple: New hope for solving wicked problems - Derek and Laura Cabrera
Simple rules for understanding and solving the most difficult problems in society.
The Change World Order: Why nations succeed and fail - Ray Dalio
Study of the cycles of world power over the last 500 years.
Antifragile: Things that gain from disorder - Nassim N. Taleb
How to think beyond resilience to build systems (and portfolios) that benefit from difficulty
CHAPTERS
00:00 Systems and Families
01:43 Welcome
03:47 What is a System?
07:03 ACT 1 - 4 ELEMENTS OF A SYSTEM
07:03 #1 Stocks and Flows
08:32 #2 Feedback Loops
10:21 #3 Delays
11:32 #4 Boundaries
13:02 ACT 2 - MANAGING SYSTEMS
13:10 Leverage Points
16:17 Butterfly Effect
19:42 ACT 3 - PREVENTING COLLAPSE
20:07 Resilience in systems
21:52 Self-Organisation
23:08 Hierarchies
25:42 ACT 4 - LOOKING AT TODAY
26:32 Beyond GDP
29:11 Modern Political Systems
30:45 Can the UN Change the World?
32:12 Rewriting the Rules of a New Era
33:59 Take Homes and References
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How to Change the World: The History & Future of Innovation 
