{"id":21,"date":"2025-04-07T00:24:15","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T00:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.halltennis.com\/?p=21"},"modified":"2025-04-18T04:20:48","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T04:20:48","slug":"basic-issue-in-peter-smalls-stuff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.halltennis.com\/?p=21","title":{"rendered":"Basic issue in Peter Small’s stuff"},"content":{"rendered":"

Begin forwarded message:<\/p>\n

From: <\/strong>Halltennis@aol.com<\/p>\n

Subject: Basic issue in Peter Small’s stuff<\/strong><\/p>\n

Date: <\/strong>June 30, 1997 at 02:20:46 EDT<\/p>\n

To: <\/strong>joe@joe10.com, skt@vista.com, mcquaide@vista.com, MTennis391@aol.com, WWTennis@aol.com, WmTennis2@aol.com, temme@vision.namrl.navy.mil, BEATBARD@aol.com, jimp@digitoy.com<\/p>\n

Joe:
\nA FUNCTIONING SYSTEM<\/p>\n

Herewith another stumbling response to reading Peter Small’s stuff. If this
\nstatement has any value, I think it would result from: 1) Amending it
\nappropriately. 2) Test by comparing it to known functioning systems. 3)
\nMake the leap and compare the considered result to machine systems.<\/p>\n

In writing down this impossible idea, I feel at risk. Then I remind myself,
\nas Motherwell said (not to me), “Paul, if you do it, you can’t do it wrong,”
\n–or was it Maplethorpe?<\/p>\n

In this statement, I want to say what a functioning system must be doing to
\nbe called that; I do not want to say what a functioning system “is.”<\/p>\n

My purpose is to assert, not to convince; to write it, rather than to think
\nabout it; and, to achieve brevity, not completeness.<\/p>\n

This is not to talk about “THE SYSTEM” as people do in the failure of their
\npersonal objectives.
\nAnd, I may discuss and analyze a bit as I go along.<\/p>\n

Here’s what an FS does:<\/p>\n

GOAL 1. A fs garners resources.<\/p>\n

It does not create them, it may seek and recruit them. From the existing
\nenvironment, as it stands, it readily fosters, accepts, nurtures and
\nhusbands them.<\/p>\n

If you have functioning system in mind as you read this, you could at this
\npoint make a quick list of the resources you suspect may be included– for
\nyour purposes.<\/p>\n

GOAL 2. A fs determines what is to be accomplished.<\/p>\n

It may not, however, determine the nature or value of the ultimate
\nend-outcomes resulting from what it accomplishes<\/p>\n

From within the very character of its own structure and the way it’s parts
\nare organized, the system sets objectives that are to be accomplished and
\nmonitors the achievements<\/p>\n

Students of systems have argued convincingly that the primary achievement of
\na system is the perpetuation of self. If this were simple and true, it would
\nbe a diversion of resources away from its achievements.
\nUsually it is cited by the cynics as THE inherent, major inefficiency of any
\nsystem. This, however, is a flaw in thinking. If self-perpetuation is an act
\nivity of a system, it is either misfeasance or intention, not laissez faire
\ninertia.<\/p>\n

GOAL 3. A fs seeks to perform its activities with the appropriate
\nconsumption of resources.<\/p>\n

The actual ratio of resources consumed to objectives achieved is a
\nsignificant point of evaluation. A large portion of the costs of evaluation
\nusually attend this question. (This is a traditional error used by\/in most
\nlarge systems.)<\/p>\n

GOAL 4. A fs monitors its own activities, quantifies the value
\nothe information.<\/p>\n

The resources and achievements are counted and valued in accord with
\ncriteria representative of the structure and organization of the system, and
\nthe character of the environment from which the resources are drawn.<\/p>\n

GOAL 5. A fs may organize all or part of its activities in terms of the use
\nof subsystems.<\/p>\n

Each subsystem is, in principle and in form, a replication of the
\nfunctioning system. The subsystem draws resources solely from the
\nfunctioning system; and publishes the results of its monitoring and
\nevaluation activities solely for the use of the functioning system.<\/p>\n

Now, the major issue here appears to be the relation of a functioning system
\nto resources it requires. Without resources the system does not function.
\nFor practical purposes, it ceases to be.<\/p>\n

That, above, is the easy one. The actual issue is the measurement criteria
\nproblem:
\nA. How does the source of the resources know that the functioning system is
\nworth it?
\nB. How does the functioning system know that the subsystem is worth it?
\nC. How does the functioning system know it is doing what was intended?<\/p>\n

That’s enough for a start. Right?
\nI know I should let this sit and simmer overnight (even though it was not
\nwritten in a fit of temper) and rewrite it tomorrow. But, c’mon, now. This
\nis enough for this week.<\/p>\n

L–h.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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