Systems behavior

The speaker this morning has made mention of the fact that we don't have the intellectual capacity to understand all the ramifications of human behavior on the systems around us. He stated that, even if we could develop the computing power to make these models run, we wouldn't be able to program it or to comprehend what the model was saying in all its workings.

It's rare that you really hear someone admit to this, in a society where we seem to go on the belief that eventually humans will be able to control and plan everything. But it also made me ask the question: if we can't understand all our consequences, how can we possibly make good systems choices?

(Of course, I have an answer to my rhetorical question. :-) ) When I think about natural systems and how those components know to work together, I don't think it's because they know everything else going on everywhere else in the system. But those that survive and thrive in a functioning system are responsive to the signals they get from the system; they listen, and they make changes accordingly to stay healthy. This pretty basic principle has formed an immense and complex network of interdependent, mutually-beneficial relationships that remain in an astounding dynamic and evolving balance over unthinkable (for us) periods of time.

Unfortunately, our behavior patterns, and especially our technology, are increasingly directed towards insulating and isolating ourselves from systemic consequences that would prompt us to change course. Whether it's a seasonal change that tells us to adapt our eating habits to what is available at the time; a set of climatic conditions that would tell us to build a certain way to be safe a comfortable; or a sickness developing that would tell us not to use that chemical for that purpose or grow that crop in that way.

What are the barriers that we've put up to block out or reduce the natural consequences of our actions? What would it take to dismantle those barriers? What would we do differently if we were forced into contact with those consequences? Could we find our right place in the systems around us?