VARIETY (Limits to)
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 3731 ▶ |
| Object type | Epistemology, ontology or semantics, Methodology or model |
- “The limits to the number of possible states of a system (1998 c, p. 56) (variety used in the sense of s-variety I identified in my earlier piece, that is, the number of states possible within a system)” (R. GLANVILLE, 1998 a)
The most general limit to variety is BREMERMANN }'S \term{limit , based on this author concept of the whole matter content of the universe (hypothetized as closed, of course) “as a perfect and ideal atomic computer ”.
Starting from such a view “the world has vastly more variety that any one of us can dream of having” (1998 c, p. 62)
GLANVILLE concludes: “This means that we are left with two options. To try to control the world by reducing its variety (leading to a very restricted and normative life), or to go with it, accepting that it is beyond our control and enjoying the novelty it offers us through its variety”(Ibid)
These options appear in any practical situation or issue : we would ideally need to strike a convenient balance between control and openness to creativity .
In fact, excessive control may lead to sterility and paralysis, while insufficiently controlled creativity veers easily onto anarchy and disintegration .
See also
Bottom up, Organization, Top down