Systems Improvement Talk by Russ Ackoff

Here's a talk that gives a brief introduction to systems and then provides a critique of the improvement movement that swept industry in the 70's and 80's. The critique is just as pertinent today as it was then.

Math of Cities and biology

Here's a talk about the mathematics of cities and how it compares to biology. It's fascinating stuff but my impression is that the models ultimately predict collapse because there are finite limitations on 1) resources, which is countered by innovation, and 2) our ability to innovate, which he provides no solution for countering. Our ability to rapidly innovate is staving off collapse from resource depletion, but in order for that to continue we have to continuously increase the speed of innovation. But there is necessarily a limit to the speed of cultural diffusion of innovation. While the internet provides very high speed diffusion of information, there is still a limit to how fast the information can be taken in and effect changes in behavior. Thus, we are destined to see the collapse of cities once that speed limit of cultural diffusion is reached.

Although if we could get a handle on the growth of population then perhaps that could bring about a balance between the need for innovation and the ability to adopt innovations.

A vision for Humane Education from TEDxDirigo

Here is a talk by Zoe Weil on her vision for humane education and the development of a generation of solutionaries:


Hat tip to DemocraticEducation.com

Population Reassurance

Here's a quick video with reassuring news about population growth:

Green School Innovation in Bali

Here's a TED Talk about a new school in Bali:

The Connection Theme

This seems to be an important theme that is arising as a fundamental for human flourishing: connection.



Hardwired to Connect

The Kiva Story, Plus the Sequel

Here's the story of the incredible microfinance success story Kiva.org form the founder and the announcement of her follow-up project (Profounder.com)for crowd-sourced funding for entrepreneurs:

Brilliant Innovations for Addressing Environmental Issues

Here's the most brilliant new approach to environmental issues I've ever seen:

Framework for Practical Simplicity

Sharif Abdullah Links Page

Commonway Institute Site

Sharif's Blog

Common Society Site

Video Link:
Greenfest Lecture

Text Articles:

Defining "Success" in Turbulent Times

Video Interview Series:
Part 1:


Part 2:


Part3:


Part 4:


Part 5:


Link:
Quantum Shift Video Series

Embedded (The numbering of parts/episodes was wrong, Part 2 overlaps both 1 & 3 by six minutes, thus is totally unnecessary and after 6 minutes into part 3 you should skip to part 4 or else watch all of part 3 then skip the first 5:50 of part 4):
Part 1 (~12 min):

Part 3 (~12 min, ~6 min overlap with part 4):

Part 4 (~12 min, ~6 min overlap with part 3):

Greenfest Lecture:
Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:


Part 4:

The Natural Step Sustainability Model

The Best Resources I have found, so far:

The Natural Step Canada (naturalstep.ca) through the Whistler It's Our Nature campaign of 2002 has one of the best explanations of the natural step framework I have ever found. Excellent production value as well as a clear presentations in both animated and text formats. Here are links to each part of the animated visual presentation.
Part 1: The Funnel
Part 2: The System Conditions
Part 3: A-B-C-D Thinking
Part 4: Basic Science
Part 5: Material Flows

Oregon Natural Step Network (ORTNS.org)has the best supporting materials regarding applications of the framework in different areas: Government, Green Building, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and Services.

This article is interesting because it ties together the Natural Step framework and ISO 14000 which might be thought to be a competing framework but is better considered as an additional set of implementation standards for the Natural Step framework. Or vice versa the Natural Step might equally be thought of as a conceptual framework to support the implementation standards set by ISO 140000.