SLOW-DOWN
Charles François (2004). SLOW-DOWN, International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(2): 3066.
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 3066 ▶ |
| Object type | General information, Methodology or model |
The characteristic lengthening of adaptation time in physical systems near saturation or in ageing living systems or organizations.
Slow-down seems to be provoked by the existence of a limit to the number of possible adaptive combinations of elements or characters.
It is reflected for example in growth curves of logistic type, representing the progressively reduced rate of expansion of some technological innovation, or of the renewed diversification of a severely disturbed ecosystem. It corresponds to a negative feedback, generally related to some environmental factor, which produces a braking effect.