The Value of Observation Through the Lens of Complexity Theory, 2040’s Ideas and Innovations Newsletter, Issue 125

Issue 125, September 7, 2023

One of anyone’s life goals is to be a good observer. It’s fruitful to watch how things unfold around us as we try to make sense of the patterns and connections. Almost everything around us is connected, has interdependence, and influences all the parts that comprise the whole of a system. And that includes the systems of society and, of course, our organizations.

In that spirit, we’ve been observing how societies seem to be undergoing stress tests that challenge their very foundations.  Presidential candidates are assassinated. Military chiefs usurp a government. Prime ministers are replaced in a series of revolving doors.  And in this country, it appears that we have at least two different interpretations of our constitution.

What Is an Observer to Do? 

We’ve been investigating how a successful society is defined and organized and that led us to the natural world, and not surprisingly to ants. They look so industrious and purposeful. They seem to be marching …