Comments on: Lessig, selfless candidates, Feynman, etc… http://matthewburton.org/wordpress/selflesscandidates/ Occasional Notes Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:22:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Tom Crowl http://matthewburton.org/wordpress/selflesscandidates/comment-page-1/#comment-6619 Tom Crowl Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:09:04 +0000 http://www.impublished.org/wordpress/lessig-selfless-candidates-feynman-etc/#comment-6619 ON CIVILIZATIONS & SYSTEMS • A complex system is any system involving multiple interlocking feedback mechanisms. The corollary: they are inherently (mathematically) chaotic. • Systems with chaotic elements are always to a degree unstable and unpredictable. • This is not a preventable situation. And so there can be no stasis… there is always change. • Further, theoretically, ALL complex, chaotic systems eventually collapse. • Systems can be modified so that theoretical collapse is extended to a point beyond the useful life of the system rendering the issue moot. But it will be a constantly evolving and changing system. • As complex GOVERNING systems experience inevitable stresses (swings away from the theoretical point of balance) modifications can be made to these systems to assist in stabilization before these “swings” turn into wars, revolutions, famines, inquisitions, jihads and all the other insanities man engages in. Tom Crowl http://CulturalEngineer.blogspot.com www.YouTube.com/CulturalEngineer.com ON CIVILIZATIONS & SYSTEMS

• A complex system is any system involving multiple interlocking feedback mechanisms. The corollary: they are inherently (mathematically) chaotic.

• Systems with chaotic elements are always to a degree unstable and unpredictable.

• This is not a preventable situation. And so there can be no stasis… there is always change.

• Further, theoretically, ALL complex, chaotic systems eventually collapse.

• Systems can be modified so that theoretical collapse is extended to a point beyond the useful life of the system rendering the issue moot. But it will be a constantly evolving and changing system.

• As complex GOVERNING systems experience inevitable stresses (swings away from the theoretical point of balance) modifications can be made to these systems to assist in stabilization before these “swings” turn into wars, revolutions, famines, inquisitions, jihads and all the other insanities man engages in.

Tom Crowl
http://CulturalEngineer.blogspot.com
http://www.YouTube.com/CulturalEngineer.com

]]> By: Tom Crowl http://matthewburton.org/wordpress/selflesscandidates/comment-page-1/#comment-6616 Tom Crowl Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:21:45 +0000 http://www.impublished.org/wordpress/lessig-selfless-candidates-feynman-etc/#comment-6616 While the components of a citizen's "Opinion" on any given subject may be varied and either logical or illogical.... and likely both, The structure of the system(s) through which those opinions are determined and implemented in a representative government are primarily engineering questions (though those systems may have been created through a political process) In that sense, both the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution and other such documents here or elsewhere are actually attempts to "engineer" for good government. In complex systems (a nation) as the social environment changes... the need to address systems of both opinion/motivation as well as implementation will need constant attention. CHAGORA is part of that effort. While the components of a citizen’s “Opinion” on any given subject may be varied and either logical or illogical…. and likely both,

The structure of the system(s) through which those opinions are determined and implemented in a representative government are primarily engineering questions (though those systems may have been created through a political process)

In that sense, both the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution and other such documents here or elsewhere are actually attempts to “engineer” for good government.

In complex systems (a nation) as the social environment changes… the need to address systems of both opinion/motivation as well as implementation will need constant attention. CHAGORA is part of that effort.

]]> By: Tom Crowl http://matthewburton.org/wordpress/selflesscandidates/comment-page-1/#comment-6615 Tom Crowl Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:12:07 +0000 http://www.impublished.org/wordpress/lessig-selfless-candidates-feynman-etc/#comment-6615 Here at PDF and thrilled to be running into good thinkers! Couldn't agree more that a candidate who employs a well thought out "process" for decision making will be a better leader but unfortunately often not a better candidate within a voting population looking for simple "answers." No simple solution to this dilemna jumps out but it may be that improving the "process" of voter participation, particularly on the local level will kindle a greater understanding of the difficulties a leader faces. Moreover, implementing clearer and stronger lines of opinion/motivation between voters and politicians will provide an easier path for the leader who currently must deal with an imbalanced system of influence. A voter more involved with decision making himself... will feel a greater responsibility, and hopefully take a closer look at the complexities of an issue. I believe it may be that when there is a greater distance between leader and citizen (whether that distance is physical, psychological, economic or whatever) the citizen is more likely to embrace simplistic or even fantastical "solutions". I believe what I'm developing (CHAGORA) may be of assistance. But there are risks... to empower people who have felt so disconnected for such a long time is a scary thing. However... looking to "small group" decision making, you find greater engagement and capacity for appreciation and willingness to deal with suptleties. Capability enables Responsibility! Tom Crowl http://CulturalEngineer.blogspot.com Here at PDF and thrilled to be running into good thinkers! Couldn’t agree more that a candidate who employs a well thought out “process” for decision making will be a better leader but unfortunately often not a better candidate within a voting population looking for simple “answers.”

No simple solution to this dilemna jumps out but it may be that improving the “process” of voter participation, particularly on the local level will kindle a greater understanding of the difficulties a leader faces.

Moreover, implementing clearer and stronger lines of opinion/motivation between voters and politicians will provide an easier path for the leader who currently must deal with an imbalanced system of influence.

A voter more involved with decision making himself… will feel a greater responsibility, and hopefully take a closer look at the complexities of an issue. I believe it may be that when there is a greater distance between leader and citizen (whether that distance is physical, psychological, economic or whatever) the citizen is more likely to embrace simplistic or even fantastical “solutions”.

I believe what I’m developing (CHAGORA) may be of assistance. But there are risks… to empower people who have felt so disconnected for such a long time is a scary thing. However… looking to “small group” decision making, you find greater engagement and capacity for appreciation and willingness to deal with suptleties.
Capability enables Responsibility!
Tom Crowl
http://CulturalEngineer.blogspot.com

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