Thinking in Systems

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

systems allow us to better understand the world

Very interesting. And it became more captivating with each chapter. I'll recommend it to others.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

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.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Excellent and enjoyable intro to System Dynamics

I love this book and listening to this audio version is a delightful experience. Tia Rider Sorensen narrates this perfectly.

Donella Meadows was truly an inspiring systems thinker. Her marvellous insights are so well and clearly communicated throughout this book that it will keep interested both the System Dynamics practitioner and the Layman alike.

This is a book that I wished all policymakers in the world would read/listen to.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Makes you analyze everything from a different perspective

Very thought provoking read, provides real world and hypothetical examples of how you can look at something from a whole new perspective than how you already do. Concepts can be applied to any domain.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent primer to systems thinking

Glad I found this book. A gentle introduction to systems thinking. Hope to learn more about this area of thinking and analysis with regards to various issues.

Excellent!!!

Very good explanation of what I thought I already knew. I was wrong. Enjoyed and engaged every minute of it.

brilliant intro into this topic

Was not sure what to expect but was pleasantly suprised by the depth width and humanity of the coverage of this fascinating topic

Must Read for Management

This was a required reading book for one of my MBA classes. The narration is a bit dry and it drones on a little bit, but the material is so comprehensive and useful that it's worth pushing through. Awesome book to help you see the bigger picture and how to avoid common circular traps!
#SelfDevelopment #Systems #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

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

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.

0 of 1 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

A Powerful Way of Seeing

This book has helped me to see the world on new ways, and has revealed new ways of tackling challenges. I had heard of Systems Thinking through my other studies, but this book has given me a solid grounding in the basics of what it is, how it works, and how it can be used to solve real problems.

Every person in the world should listen to this.

Every now and again you read our hear something that changes your entire perspective on reality. This audiobook is one of those. Every person in the world should listen to this.

boring and uneducational

pointing out the obvious and milks it in a painfully long boring book. All obvious points, nothing to learn.

even better the second time

fasinating and rich topic that is well read. I got more from it the second and third time I listenned to it.

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.