Other Sites
This page provides some links found of interest for thinking about ideas, both for ideas and for creative methods of thinking about those ideas. More links will be added over time.
Useful links
- Douglas Hoftstadter
- History of Ideas, BBC audio stream
- Problem Picturing (click on pages along the top)
- Concept Mapping
- Diagramming Sentences
- Ackoff Centre
- BBC & Open University (UK) on Systems Practice
- Ackoff on streaming video
- Idea Structuring Software
- Human Contraptions (Systems)
- Dennis List's Community Meetings Methods
- Interview a problem
- Responses to "If you could teach the world just one thing, what would it be?" (note Richard Dawkins response on design).
- Institute of Ideas
SystemSim
"SystemSim" is a CD based computer simulation which encourages players to apply systems thinking to a complex social situation. It simulates the office environment of a Ministerial (Senator) Adviser trying to balance the demands of stakeholder lobby groups in the design of an electrical power station. The stakeholders include politicians, environmentalists and engineers. Players are asked to make decisions based on a series of video presentations, emails, and documents.
For a copy of the CD please email Mike Metcalfe or contact him by telephone on (08) 8302 0268.
Shortly, a demonstration of the simulation is posted here. http://unisanet-apppro.levels.unisa.edu.au/Simulation/Demo
For some articles on systems thinking please look around this "Ideas Research Group" web site particularly under ‘Publications’ (from the menu on the left). A starting point may be:
- "Systems Thinking Powerpoint" slides under Publications – Multiple Perspectives
- "Drawing Concerns" under Publications – Multiple Perspectives
- "Sourcing Problem-Dissolving Questions" under Publications – Multiple Perspectives
- "Diagramming Tutorials" under Publications – Multiple Perspectives
Random word generator
Brainstorming Software Innovation Toolbox is very simple in concept. Using the idea of metaphors as perspectives, this web site randomly produces single words which can be used to reflect on a problem. For example, the problem may be a departmental reorganisation.
In such a case, the random word generated may be ‘glue’. This word is to be used to think about the reorganisation. Thoughts it might generate include: what is the plan for ‘ungluing’ present loyalties and re-gluing new ones, if that is thought useful.