Concepts for a New Generation of Global Modelling Tools: Expanding our Capacity for Perception

Concepts for a New Generation of Global Modelling Tools: Expanding our Capacity for Perception

Author: Robert Hoffman, Ottawa.

This is the first of two articles that describe the development of a new generation of global modelling tools that was first proposed by the authors as members of a working group of the Canadian Association for the Club of Rome in 1993. This paper describes the underlying conceptual framework adopted by the group. The companion paper describes the Global Systems Simulator that was intended to serve as proof-of-concept for the proposed modelling tools and the experience in using those tools that has accumulated to date. What follows, then, is original paper as it appeared in the Proceedings of the Canadian Association for the Club of Rome, Series 1, Number 7, September 1993.

It is now twenty years since the issues associated with the global ‘problematique’ were widely publicized in Limits to Growth, the pioneering study commissioned by the Club of Rome. In the meantime much has been written, but real action that might lead to a more harmonious and sustainable future has not been forthcoming. Indeed there is evidence that these issues are becoming even more threatening to humankind. There is an apparent inability of human societies to address the global problems of sustainability identified by the Club of Rome twenty years ago.

This paper advocates the use of global modelling tools as a means of expanding our collective capacity for perception. What is proposed is not the development of another model but the establishment of a process consisting of the design and use of modelling tools to further the explication and communication of understanding, and thereby facilitating both individual and societal action. The proposed approach builds upon the strength of World Dynamics Model as a communications device and seeks to take advantage of scientific and technological advances of the past decades.

Reference:

Concepts for a New Generation of Global Modelling Tools: Expanding our Capacity for Perception (Robert Hoffman and Bertram McInnis, Cadmus Journal, Oct. 15, 2015)

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Author’s Bio : Robert Hoffman:President, whatIf? Technologies Inc.; Member, Club of Rome