Complexity Science Through the Lens of Gardening: Permaculture Principles for Complex Systems Design

Complexity Science Through the Lens of Gardening, Permaculture Principles for Complex Systems Design.

In this session we explored complexity science through the lens of an interdisciplinary gardening system called permaculture. Anyone who works with people - from the smallest teams to the largest organizations - works with(in) complex adaptive systems. The session introduced participants to permaculture design principles and we discussed how these pragmatic principles might be repurposed across domains to inform interventions and lead positive change within teams and organizations.

Transcript

1. Complexity Science Through the Lens of Gardening Permaculture Principles for Complex Systems Design © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 1 Let’s connect NYC Complexity Lounge - November 2022 Daniel Walsh
2. Our Journey Complexity, As Transdisciplinary Science Exaptation, Latent Superpower Permaculture, Pragmatism X Theory Small Group Discussion, Learning by Doing Debrief and Next Steps
3. © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 3 Transdisciplinary an approach to research and practice in which persons across a range of disciplines attempt to work on share problems and projects
4. “What makes and evening primrose open when it does?” © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 4 1947 Warren Weaver, Applied Mathematics Science and Complexity Organized vs Disorganized Complexity Random-like properties Not purely random, but a special kind of random
5. Copyright © W.R. Owens © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 5 1952 Turing Biology The Chemical Basis of Morphogenesis Describes how patterns in nature, such as stripes & spots, arise naturally and autonomously from a homogeneous, uniform state Reference https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_pattern Emergent Properties
6. How Two Weather Patterns Diverge Lorenz’s Original Printouts, 1961 © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 6 1961 Lorenz Meteorology The Butterfly Effect “The phenomenon that a small alteration in the state of a dynamical system will cause subsequent states to differ greatly” Sensitive to Initial Conditions (feedback) Non-linear (and non-repeatable)
7. © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 7 1973 Rittel and Webber Management Science formulation of wicked problems in social policy Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_problem Poorly Defined No Stopping Rule (Irreducible, Infinite Game)
8. The first published picture of the Mandelbrot set, by Robert W. Brooks and Peter Matelski in 1978 © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 8 1975 Mandelbrot Mathematics “A fractal is a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts, each of which is approximately a reduced-size copy of the whole” Fractal Self-similarity
9. © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 9 1977 Prigogine Chemistry dissipative structures and their role in thermodynamic systems far from equilibrium Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction, or BZ reaction Photo Attribution: Stephen Morris Far from Equilibrium Irreversible
10. "From an extremely simple model, we're able to reproduce special relativity, general relativity and the core results of quantum mechanics” 2020 Wolfram Physics Project 10 1992 Wolfram Computational Complexity (building on John von Neumann -1950s & John Conway – 1970s) Rule 110 cellular automation Simple Rules Self-replication, Self-organization Image Credit: Cormullion © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved.
11. © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 11 police officer labor union leader teacher NGO ecologist Anyone who works with people - from the smallest teams to the largest organizations - works with(in) complex adaptive systems healthcare conflict mediation
12. Exaptation Example | Biological Evolution © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 12 Feathers evolved for heat regulation, for display, and later for use in bird flight Image Credit: Archaeopteryx lithographica chasing Compsognathus by Durbed
13. Exaptation Example | Biological Evolution © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 13 Middle ear bones (hammer, anvil, and stirrup) started out as part of ancient reptilian jaw joints
14. 14 © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved.
15. Image Credit: Holger.Ellgaard © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 15
16. 16 © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. Image Credit: Doug Coldwell
17. © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 17 © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved.
18. © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 18 police officer labor union leader teacher NGO ecologist How might we exapt or repurpose practices and principles from other domains? healthcare conflict mediation
19. Complex Change Needs Ecological Metaphors Not Manufacturing Ones Leader As Gardener 19 © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved.
20. Image Credit: Claire Gregory © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 20 Permaculture Permanent Agriculture Food Forest Ecology Natural Wilderness Forest Agriculture Controlled and Artificial Monoculture farm
21. Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. — Bill Mollison 21 Image Credit: Nicolas Boullosa
22. © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 22 ecological engineering, environmental design, and construction pragmatic, simple concepts, regenerative and resilient complex adaptive systems, plants, animals, and whole ecosystems
23. Cohesive set of principles to be considered as a whole Process to think through, design, and engineer a complex problem or challenge Field tested, iterated, and evolved over 30 years © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 23 Permaculture Design Principles Photo Attribution: hardworkinghippy : La Ferme de Sourrou
24. Permaculture Design Principles 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use & value renewable resources & services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to details 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10.Use and value diversity 11.Use edges and value the marginal 12.Creatively use and respond to change © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 24 Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020. Photo Attribution: hardworkinghippy : La Ferme de Sourrou
25. Exaptive Exercise Setup • Think of a complex challenge that you’d like help with • Imagine a expert consultant were hired to help out • Listen to the principles proposed and make a note anything of particular interest or exaptive connection © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 25
26. Permaculture Design Principles 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use & value renewable resources & services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to details 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10.Use and value diversity 11.Use edges and value the marginal 12.Creatively use and respond to change © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 26 #1 Observe and interact By taking time to engage with nature we can design solutions that suit our situation. Observe, then interact Live with the land for two years to become part of it prior to major interventions E.g. Citrus trees freeze (and grow large) Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020.
27. Permaculture Design Principles 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use & value renewable resources & services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to details 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10.Use and value diversity 11.Use edges and value the marginal 12.Creatively use and respond to change © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 27 #2 Catch and store energy By developing systems that collect resources at peak abundance, we can use them in times of need. Consider all energy flows through your system, solar, wind, water, flora, fauna Make hay while the sun shines E.g. Cover crop turns into compost Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020.
28. Permaculture Design Principles 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use & value renewable resources & services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to details 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10.Use and value diversity 11.Use edges and value the marginal 12.Creatively use and respond to change © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 28 #3 Obtain a yield Ensure that you are getting truly useful rewards as part of the work that you are doing Obtain a yield from the system as quickly as possible Focus on the benefits and value to people E.g. Annuals and ephemerals Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020.
29. Permaculture Design Principles 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use & value renewable resources & services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to details 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10.Use and value diversity 11.Use edges and value the marginal 12.Creatively use and respond to change © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 29 #4 Apply self-regulation and accept feedback We need to stop inappropriate activities to ensure that systems can continue to function well. Regulate your involvement and accept the feedback from the system and (un)intended consequences Learn from mistakes E.g. Gravel pathway as weed mitigation Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020.
30. Permaculture Design Principles 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use & value renewable resources & services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to details 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10.Use and value diversity 11.Use edges and value the marginal 12.Creatively use and respond to change © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 30 #5 Use and value renewable resources and services Make the best use of nature’s abundance to reduce our consumptive behavior and dependence on non-renewable resources Favor biological solutions over artificial ones Let nature take its course. E.g. crop rotation instead of fertilizer chickens instead of pesticides Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020.
31. Permaculture Design Principles 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use & value renewable resources & services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to details 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10.Use and value diversity 11.Use edges and value the marginal 12.Creatively use and respond to change © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 31 #6 Produce no waste By valuing and making use of all the resources that are available to us, nothing goes to waste M.O.O.P. Waste as an unused resource Waste creates work E.g. composting, Farm to table, lazy gardening Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020.
32. Permaculture Design Principles 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use & value renewable resources & services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to details 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10.Use and value diversity 11.Use edges and value the marginal 12.Creatively use and respond to change © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 32 #7 Design from patterns to details By stepping back, we can observe patterns in nature and society. These can form the backbone of our designs, with the details filled in as we go Larger ecosystem patterns inform options E.g. annual rainfall patterns, seasons, land topology, Insufficient chill hours for apricot trees Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020.
33. Permaculture Design Principles 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use & value renewable resources & services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to details 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10.Use and value diversity 11.Use edges and value the marginal 12.Creatively use and respond to change © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 33 #8 Integrate rather than segregate By putting the right things in the right place, relationships develop between those things, and they work together to support each other. Focus on the functional interconnectedness Each element serves three functions, and each function supports three elements Whole is greater than the sum of the parts E.g. Companion planting, guilds Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020.
34. Permaculture Design Principles 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use & value renewable resources & services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to details 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10.Use and value diversity 11.Use edges and value the marginal 12.Creatively use and respond to change © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 34 #9 Use small and slow solutions Small and slow systems are easier to maintain than big ones, making better use of local resources and producing more sustainable outcomes. The bigger they are, the harder they fall More time and opportunity to observe feedback E.g. test beds Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020.
35. Permaculture Design Principles 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use & value renewable resources & services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to details 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10.Use and value diversity 11.Use edges and value the marginal 12.Creatively use and respond to change © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 35 #10 Use and value diversity Diversity reduces vulnerability to a variety of threats and takes advantage of the unique nature of the environment in which it resides. Reduce risk and increase resilience Don’t put your eggs in one basket E.g. Multiple species of fruit tree vs one Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020.
36. Permaculture Design Principles 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use & value renewable resources & services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to details 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10.Use and value diversity 11.Use edges and value the marginal 12.Creatively use and respond to change © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 36 #11 Use edges and value the marginal The interface between things is where the most interesting events take place. These are often the most valuable, diverse, and productive elements in the system. The edge is a synergistic, third space between to regions E.g. Edge between pasture and forest Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020.
37. Permaculture Design Principles 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use & value renewable resources & services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to details 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10.Use and value diversity 11.Use edges and value the marginal 12.Creatively use and respond to change © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 37 #12 Creatively use and respond to change We can have a positive impact on inevitable change by carefully observing, and then intervening at the right time. Creatively work with change as it emerges Change is not a linear projection E.g. A garden is like a box of chocolates Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020.
38. Exaptive Exercise Small group discussion 1. Nominate a spokesperson for your group 2. Discuss a principle that inspired you or caught your attention 3. What does this principle mean to you? 4. How might this principle be exapted or repurposed to inform your work? 5. Repeat until the time is up © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 38 Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020.
39. Debrief 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use & value renewable resources & services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to details 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10.Use and value diversity 11.Use edges and value the marginal 12.Creatively use and respond to change © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 39 Reference: Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020. Debrief Questions: Which principles resonated most? How might they apply? Examples? Which principles do not seem to apply?
40. © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 40 Though the problems of the world are increasingly complex, the solutions remain embarrassingly simple. - Bill Mollison
41. References Gleick, James, Chaos: Making a New Science, 2008. Weaver, Warren, Science and Complexity, 1948. Shannon and Weaver, The Mathematical Theory of Communication, 1971. Lorenz, Edward, The Essence of Chaos, 1993. Dizikes, Peter, When the Butterfly Effect Took Flight, 2011. Priogogine, Ilya, The End of Certainty, 1997. Rittlel and Webber, Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning, 1973. Wolfram, Stephen, A New Kind of Science, 2002. Mollison, Bill, Permaculture: A Designers' Manual, 1997. Holmgren, David, Essence of Permaculture, 2020. © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 41
42. THANK YOU! Complexity Science Through the Lens of Permaculture Permaculture Principles for Complex Systems Design © nuCognitive LLC & FiveWhyz LLC. All rights reserved. 42 Let’s connect NYC Complexity Lounge - November 2022 Daniel Walsh - dan@fivewhyz.com