MOM - Meeting of Mind - Is a private Whatsapp group
This transcript documents a long-running professional discourse among Systems Thinking practitioners who critique the gap between theoretical models and real-world application. The participants debate the limitations of popular frameworks like Cynefin and Lean, often dismissing them as “shallow” or “magic tricks” that fail to address the messiness of wicked problems. Much of the conversation focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the NHS, using these as case studies to illustrate how rigid, linear management often ignores emergent behaviours. The group emphasises the importance of multiple perspectives, arguing that a system’s definition depends entirely on the observer’s boundary of understanding. Tensions are evident regarding the commercialisation of the field, with members advocating for a return to rigorous, second-order cybernetics over simplified consultancy tools. Ultimately, the dialogue serves as a collaborative effort to maintain academic integrity and practical utility within a frequently misinterpreted discipline.
Sources
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