A feature-based approach to conceptualisation, upfront modelling, and planning for the future of complex systems

Author(s):  
Eliab Z. Opiyo
Author(s):  
Martijn van der Steen ◽  
Mark van Twist

The future is inherently uncertain. However, most policies are deliberate attempts to anticipate the future and to change and shape the future in an intended way. This chapter provides concepts for three key elements that are necessary to prepare for an unknown future. First, it conceptualizes what makes the future uncertain; uncertainty does not stem from the amount of time itself, but rather from the dynamics that can play out in that time. That is why it matters significantly if a system is complex or complicated; complex systems are much more dynamic and unpredictable, and complicated systems are much more stable and predictable. Second, there are different approaches for “studying” the dynamics; forecasting and foresight depart from entirely different angles of looking at the future, and both have their own strengths and weakness. Third, there are different organizational strategies for preparing for an unknown future; robustness, resilience, and adaptivity are three possible principles for organizing and preparing for uncertainty. In order to prepare for an uncertain future, or to study the uncertain future, scholars and policymakers should systematically take these three essential steps into account; how is the future unknown, how do we study the future, and what concept for anticipation do we apply here?


Author(s):  
Theresa M. Vitolo

Serious games are technology with unrealized potential as an innovation for reasoning about complex systems. The technology is enticing to technologically-savvy individuals, but the acceptance of serious games into mainstream processes requires addressing several systemic issues spanning social, economic, behavioral, and technological aspects. First, deployment of gaming technology for critical processes needs to embrace statistical and scientific methods appropriate for valid, accurate, and verifiable simulation of such processes. Second, identifying the correct instance and application breadth for a serious game within an organization needs to be articulated and supported with research. Third, funding for serious-games initiatives will need to be won as the funding will displace monies previously allocated and championed for other projects. Last, the endeavor faces the problem of negative connotations about its appropriateness as a viable technology for mainstream processes rather than for entertainment and diversion. The chapter examines the chasm serious games must traverse by examining the issues and posing approaches to minimize their effect on the adoption of the technology. The histories of other technologies that faced similar hurdles are compared to the current state of serious games, offering a perspective on the hurdle’s resolution. In the future, the hurdles can be minimized as curricula are developed with the solutions to the issues incorporated in the content.


2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-30
Author(s):  
Карпин ◽  
V. Karpin ◽  
Живогляд ◽  
R. Zhivoglyad ◽  
Гудкова ◽  
...  

Since the release of the well-known work of W. Weaver «Science and Complexity» (1948) only V.S. Stepin had taken some significant efforts to develop the doctrine of the three types of systems in nature. In this case, the main achievements of V.S. Stepin in postnonclassic reduced to two fundamental results: violation of the basic principle of T. Kuhn´s contradictions when changing paradigms (V.S. Stepin shows the effect of «investments», when complex systems operate classical and nonclassical rationality simultaneously) and repeated emphasis on the possibility of «change ... the probability of emerging of other (the system) conditions». At the same time, V.S. Stepin in his last works (monographs) identified a particular role of self-organization and self-development in case of complex biosocial systems. All this in theory of chaos and self-organization form 5 basic principles of functioning of complexity (or systems of the third type - STT). In fact, V.S. Stepin laid the foundation for the future (new) philosophy and developed now theory of chaos and self-organization in which humanity moved into the area of uncertainty of living (social in particular) systems completely. However, the rationality of the third type (postnonclassic) requires corrections and additions, as shown in a number of monographs of V.S. Stepin.


2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1845) ◽  
pp. 20162353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilles Gauthier ◽  
Guillaume Péron ◽  
Jean-Dominique Lebreton ◽  
Patrick Grenier ◽  
Louise van Oudenhove

The science of complex systems is increasingly asked to forecast the consequences of climate change. As a result, scientists are now engaged in making predictions about an uncertain future, which entails the efficient communication of this uncertainty. Here we show the benefits of hierarchically decomposing the uncertainty in predicted changes in animal population size into its components due to structural uncertainty in climate scenarios (greenhouse gas emissions and global circulation models), structural uncertainty in the demographic model, climatic stochasticity, environmental stochasticity unexplained by climate–demographic trait relationships, and sampling variance in demographic parameter estimates. We quantify components of uncertainty surrounding the future abundance of a migratory bird, the greater snow goose ( Chen caeruslescens atlantica ), using a process-based demographic model covering their full annual cycle. Our model predicts a slow population increase but with a large prediction uncertainty. As expected from theoretical variance decomposition rules, the contribution of sampling variance to prediction uncertainty rapidly overcomes that of process variance and dominates. Among the sources of process variance, uncertainty in the climate scenarios contributed less than 3% of the total prediction variance over a 40-year period, much less than environmental stochasticity. Our study exemplifies opportunities to improve the forecasting of complex systems using long-term studies and the challenges inherent to predicting the future of stochastic systems.


2018 ◽  
pp. 652-662
Author(s):  
Mats Jong ◽  
Lisbeth Kristiansen ◽  
Miek C. Jong ◽  
Torkel Falkenberg

This chapter describes the existing “core” of caring/nursing in the Nordic tradition and how that can be merged with the concepts of integrative nursing to form a vision and strategy for the future. Terms such as integrative nursing are unfamiliar among nurses in Sweden, but the concepts of holistic care and healing have been taught for a long time and are well integrated in education and legislation. This chapter discusses possible barriers, such as the level of decision-making in Swedish healthcare as well as the role and attitude towards legislation in the light of the dominant biomedical paradigm. Further discussion explores how integrative nursing may serve as a bridge between the caring, nursing, and biomedical perspectives in its effort to identify and construct evidence from the basis and understanding of complex interventions and complex systems science. Practical steps for progression are identified and suggested.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan Nurul Mardiah Wan Mohd Rani

Our environment today is changing because of the rapid urbanization and this scenario has intensified as we face the climate change affect. The challenges and issues that we experience today are more complex, multifaceted and are becoming more visible and frequent. Cities are vulnerable and at the same time have to play significant roles in tackling climate change through various actions of preparedness, mitigation and adaptations. Cities are complex systems combining spatial and non-spatial elements. A system, which consists of interconnected and interdependent elements, can only function well if these elements interact with each other. These elements comprise physical environment, social, infrastructure and economy. The interaction among the elements enable the city to function as a whole. In this context, to achieve a sustainable and resilient city requires a collaborative effort from various disciplines and interrelated expertise to address each element. The increase on the awareness and interest in the related research areas have witness the upsurge on the efforts towards achieving sustainable and resilient cities. Every day new studies and findings emerged from scientists, researchers, academics and scholars deliberating on ways to mitigate, prevent and prepare for the future risks that may pose impact to our cities either physically, socially or economically.


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