Emergent Property

An emergent property is behavior that cannot be predicted by examination of the parts. Emergent behavior is also known as "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts." In other words, the behavior of the whole "emerges" only when the parts are arranged in a certain manner to create the whole. A dynamic entity, such as a system, agent, or process, usually has many emergent properties. For example, civilization lately has the new and unexpected emergent property of global environmental unsustainability.

From the viewpoint of systems thinking, the behavior of a system is an emergent property of its structure. Each behavior of interest can be traced to particular aspects of the structure. It follows that if you do not know the structure of a complex social system problem, then you will be unable to solve the problem except by trial and error. For more please see the wikipedia article on emergent properties.

 

 

Dueling Loops Paper

The most popular page on the site by a factor of 3. This paper presents a simple model showing why activists have been unable to solve the sustainability problem, and an alternative solution strategy based on high leverage points.

Change Resistance Paper

This explains why the crux of the sustainability problem is change resistance, rather than what conventional wisdom thinks it is. That's why the problem has remained unsolved for over 30 years. The paper describes a high leverage point that's never been pushed on before that can solve the change resistance problem.

The Powell Memo

The most eye popping short read (7 pages) on the site, if you have never heard about it. The memo was written in 1971.

Dueling Loops Videos

These average 8 minutes. They give a quick introduction to the Dueling Loops model and how it explains the tremendous change resistance to solving the sustainability problem.
 

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