Similar structures tend to lead to similar problems.
Identifying the archetype is useful to identifying leverage points.
- Reinforcing feedback loop (positive)
- Vicious or virtuous cycle
- Limits to grow
- reinforcing loop hits a constraint (e.g., population growth limited by resources)
- Tragedy of the Commons → shared resource overused by individual incentives.
- Balancing feedback loop (negative)
- pushes systems toward stability, but can cause resistance to change.
- Economy similar to meteorology
- Cannot predict anything long term
- Prey/predator dynamic similar to supply/demand
- Oscillation action. two balancing loops chasing each other
- Non-linear relationship (small change can lead to large changes)
- Shifting the Burden → quick fixes reduce symptoms but make underlying problems worse.
- Success to the Successful → initial advantage reinforces itself, starving alternatives.