SURROGATE WORLD
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 3272 ▶ |
| Object type | General information, Methodology or model |
A constructed model of a factual situation.
This important concept has been introduced by St. BEER (1973), who described the fictional way in which models are used by many people. BEER writes: “The model intervenes between the manager and the situation. It must do this: it is a kind of filter intended to cut out noise and enhance perception of meaningful patterns ”(p. 199)
Of course, as explained by BEER, two very serious problems appear in many cases:
- “the model may be no good”. This is because it depends on the mental frame or reference frame of the modeller , which may be incomplete, inadequate and /or distorted
- “people often begin to mistake the model for the reality - and start managing the model instead”(Ibid)
Obviously, reality follows its own course meanwhile, either impervious to our mirage, or worse, reacting to it in an unexpected way
Many mistakes and even disasters in business, economy, politics and generally human affairs do result of this kind of misguided use of models which are not recognized as incorrect surrogates
See also
Model