By comparing real-world systems to a human body, Dr. Bezio makes very clear why it is important to constantly make sure our systems are working properly and fix issues when something is wrong, and not continue on the path that clearly is upsetting the system. And like our bodies, systems are supposed to last a long time. When looking at a system, we need to think about it in terms of its longevity- how this system will function for years and years to come. I think that many systems are built this way (with the future in mind), but unfortunately, we do not know what the future is going to look like. Take for example the pandemic. Many of the systems in our daily lives, if not most, were not built with a catastrophe like this in mind. However, these systems adapted and are continuing to adapt, with a lot of focus on what life will look like once the pandemic is over too. It is important for the leaders of our systems to continue thinking this way, and constantly evolving as things change. The responses from systems to recent movements for racial equality have not been as good as they were to the pandemic, however, and have caused many issues within our society. It is imperative that we continue to critique and adjust these systems until they fit in with the current state of our world today.
Critical Thinking
Your point about having to make constant adjustments is spot on. Nothing is truly static and unchanging, so In all things we are “building the plane while we’re flying it”. I think the simulation shows that even if we have full information (or at least more than is realistic), we still have trouble making all the right decisions and accounting for how variables interact with each other. There is no such thing as creating and executing a perfect plan.
I completely agree with your statement and the importance we must place om analyzing and critiquing our current systems/institutions. Like you said, institutions were constructed with hopes of longevity; however, as time goes by the needs of the populace change so systems must change as cultures/ideals change. Your example about COVID is a perfect encapsulation–our systems/institutions had not accounted for this pandemic, but we adapited our institutions accordingly.
This a great point as not everything will remain constant. Many changes steam from people questioning the current ways or wanting to improve the current system to become better or be more efficient. I wonder if some of the changes from COVID would have eventually happened alone or just happened due to the pandemic.