Stafford Beer

change challenge model unreality paradigm

“IF YOU WANT TO CREATE A CHANGE, you must challenge not only the models of Unreality, but the paradigms that underwrite them.”

― Stafford Beer (1926-2002)

purpose system

“The purpose of a system is what it does.”

― Stafford Beer (1926-2002)

purpose system fail

"The purpose of a system is what it does. There is after all, no point in claiming that the purpose of a system is to do what it constantly fails to do."

― Stafford Beer (1926-2002)

important appreciate obscure end

"It is terribly important to appreciate that some things remain obscure to the bitter end."

― Stafford Beer (1926-2002)

specify system ride dynamics direction

"Instead of trying to specify a system in full detail, specify it only somewhat. You can then ride on the dynamics of the system in the direction you want to go."

― Stafford Beer (1926-2002)

transportation roads compete railroads airlines chaotic costly

"The system of transportation is not coherent; it is not treated as integral. Roads compete with with railroads and airlines in chaotic fashion, and at immense cost to the nation."

― Stafford Beer (1926-2002)

policy decision control function manageent intellectual

"Policy-making, decision-taking, and control: These are the three functions of management that have intellectual content."

― Stafford Beer (1926-2002)

problem managing business prison periodic control discrepancy

"The problem with managing either a business or a prison by periodic rather than continuous inspection is that the "variables" are likely to be seriously out of control before the discrepancy is noted"

― Stafford Beer (1926-2002)

general systems theory framework enterprise technology instituti

"General Systems Theory, as originally intended by Von Bertalanffy, is an ideal framework for the modeling of a business enterprise. Work, in its most civilized form should enrich, empower and emancipate. Thus we must continue to find ways to support work as a humanistic, not mechanistic endeavor. We must continue to seek out new models of business that support and enhance the individual as well as the collective whole. Given all this new technology, we need new institutions for handling it. "

― Stafford Beer (1926-2002)