The problem with microworlds is that too often people simply learn to play the game and the deeper lessons associated with the underlying structure and its associated patterns of behavior are completely missed. It is more appropriate for people to build and work with models to develop a deeper understanding of the relationships and then relate them to family, community, school and the world.

​Example of using a Macro as a counter. See the comment on Counter for a definition of the Macro then run the simulation to see the counter in action.

Causal loop diagrams are more rigorous than rich pictures though are still only contain a very few elements with well defined rules for connecting them.

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The purpose of this model is to have the user change the value of stocks, flows and converters to experience a variety of different graphical results. Understanding this generic model is important pre-requisite to learning about intravenous drugs in the body, radioactivity, self-esteem, water flowing from a drain and many other basic natural systems.

Based on 1990 SDR Article. Control systems act to make their own input match internal standards or reference signals. Competent control systems create illusions of stimulus response causality. Stimulus-response theory can approximate the relationship between disturbance and action, but it can't predict the consequences of behavior. These consequences are maintained despite disturbances.

The predicament forcing us toward virtual collaboration and our learning about relationships is hopefully encouraging us toward the systemic perspective.

Examples of Systems.

One of the four basic model forms presented by Hannon & Ruth in Dynamic Modeling.

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A system is an entity that the existence of which is maintained via the mutual interaction of its parts and which demonstrates characteristics not exhibited by any of its parts.

When the typical approach doesn't work we tend to rely on our tried and true problem solving approaches, which as you will see really aren't that good.

Simple reinforcing loop causal loop diagram.

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Network Magic is high tech start up growing rapidly and having difficulty developing resources to respond to customer demand.

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An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar. The first one tells the bartender he wants a beer. The second one says he wants half a beer. The third one says he wants a fourth of a beer. The bartender puts two beers on the bar and says “You guys need to learn your limits.” From Wild About Math.

A Systems Archetype has a very well defined structure that produces a characteristic pattern of behavior and there are well defined strategies for dealing with the structure.

Storytelling allows you to build a display sequence for an insight so it can be unfolded to tell the story of the model. You can sequence primitive visibility, messages and javascript actions to unfold the story of the model.

This model depicts the relationship responsible for a declining sales goal scenario. This is an example of a Drifting Goals Systems Archetype.

Keep as an example of what we had to do before Storytelling?

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An escalation structure results from two or more competing entities with the competition taking them to somewhere none of them want to be. See also Archetypes.

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While it's rather straight forward to invest money in places that generate interest over time why isn't that more of us don't do that and become rich?

A description of the essence and limitations of analysis.

Model in support of an article being written about Investment vs Austerity.

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The Flipping a Coin insight computes and display the cumulative results of flipping a coin for 1,000 flips.

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