Part 7/10:
Nonlinearities mean small changes can yield disproportionately large consequences, which is evident in ecological systems when an invasive species disrupts the existing balance. Furthermore, interdependencies illustrate how changes within one part can reverberate throughout the entire system. To manage unpredictability, it is essential to resist oversimplifying problems, be patient as systems evolve, and continuously update our mental models.
Chapter 5: System Traps and Opportunities
Every system has an inherent vulnerability to traps, which can undermine their goals. Meadows identifies specific traps—such as policy resistance and the tragedy of the commons—where stakeholder conflicts lead to inefficiencies and resource depletion.