Thinking in Systems

By: Donella H. Meadows

Narrated by: Tia Rider Sorensen

Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

In the years following her role as the lead author of the international best seller, Limits to Growth - the first book to show the consequences of unchecked growth on a finite planet - Donella Meadows remained a pioneer of environmental and social analysis until her untimely death in 2001. 

Thinking in Systems is a concise and crucial book offering insight for problem-solving on scales ranging from the personal to the global. Edited by the Sustainability Institute's Diana Wright, this essential primer brings systems thinking out of the realm of computers and equations and into the tangible world, showing listeners how to develop the systems-thinking skills that thought leaders across the globe consider critical for 21st-century life. 

Some of the biggest problems facing the world - war, hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation - are essentially system failures. They cannot be solved by fixing one piece in isolation from the others, because even seemingly minor details have enormous power to undermine the best efforts of too-narrow thinking. 

While listeners will learn the conceptual tools and methods of systems thinking, the heart of the book is grander than methodology. Donella Meadows was known as much for nurturing positive outcomes as she was for delving into the science behind global dilemmas. She reminds listeners to pay attention to what is important, not just what is quantifiable, to stay humble, and to stay a learner. 

In a world growing ever more complicated, crowded, and interdependent, Thinking in Systems helps listeners avoid confusion and helplessness, the first step toward finding proactive and effective solutions. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2008 Sustainability Institute (P)2018 Chelsea Green Publishing

Perfect intro into system thinking

really enjoyed the reader and the content. I would recommend to anyone looking to have a better understanding of why our ecosystem or world, in general, are all interconnected.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Managers of Communities Platforms and Marketplaces

If you are in any type of leadership role at any business this is a great listen. Thinking in Systems, strategies and ideas can be implemented to any business. I am building an online community for professionals, AutomateAmerica.com and this book has not only helped me clarify the ideas that I already believed but Mr. Meadows and the organisation of those concepts that this book brought has helped me communicate our direction and purpose to our team. The team is now more motivated because they understand that they are a part of something great. They know that we must transform our existing business into an automated online system and they understand that this is the only way to truly help our network and customers more than our competition.

excellent

mind blown. content of this book gives so much to think about. I'll be listening to it a few times. narration is enjoyable and super pro. I wish all books were read by this person

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Boring Systems

Tell me something I don't know races through my mind while listening to this audio book.

1 of 9 people found this review helpful

Brilliant introduction/reintroduction

Brilliant introduction/reintroduction to systems thinking. very accessable (and well read).
A primer (as in the title) but filled with valuable insights.
I would definitely recommend this book to others.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Essential Reading

Systems are all around us. Even though you don't realise it, in your day to day life you are experiencing one system archetype or another. Best you be aware of it and learb to dance qith the system.
A truely essential book.