"Systems" and "systems thinking" apparently don't sound very interesting to most people. I find the words fascinating, but I can see how they might sound too technical. So, if I'm going to base a curriculum around systems thinking, I'm working on alternative terminology.
How about "Beast"?
A Beast. How do we understand this Beast?
beast (n.)
c.1200, from Old French beste "animal, wild beast," figuratively "fool, idiot" (11c., Modern French bĂȘte), from Vulgar Latin *besta, from Latin bestia "beast, wild animal," of unknown origin. Used to translate Latin animal. Replaced Old English deor (see deer) as the generic word for "wild creature," only to be ousted 16c. byanimal. Of persons felt to be animal-like in various senses from early 13c. Of the figure in the Christian apocalypse story from late 14c.
A wild animal, or wild creature. That's what a system is. Except there are some negative connotations, too.
From the Fantastic Mr. Fox: "I'm a wild animal." Used as an excuse/understanding for why certain behaviors persist despite his best intentions. His behaviors are part of a complex system.
Thought on systems: The news (newsfeed) is an output of a system.
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