CRITICAL STAGE
Charles François (2004). CRITICAL STAGE, International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(1): 761.
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 761 ▶ |
| Object type | Methodology or model |
The moment at which some system's function either becomes controlled by a countervailing process, or undergoes a runaway process through unchecked growth towards collapse.
Critical stages, characteristically, are not perceived by “linear” thinkers. As a result, collapse is upon them before they realize that it is going to happen and they are totally unable to correct course before it is too late.
Growth functions can generally be modelized by logistic curves, where the critical stage appears as an inflexion point. However, such a model implies the understanding of the existence of a potential braking process, which may be natural or purposely introduced.