ACCUMULATION
Charles François (2004). ACCUMULATION, International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(1): 7.
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 7 ▶ |
| Object type | General information |
The process of piling up of some class of elements in a system due to a positive feedback in its production.
When this process turns exponential, for the lack of a countervailing negative feedback, it may easily destroy the affected system, as for example in runaway population explosions. This is due to a double cause:
- internal clogging of the system, whose functions become impaired, due to its excessive density;
- starvation of the elements, deprived of a sufficient environmental flux of resources to maintain themselves. The death of the starving elements within the system, poisons it.