Thinking in Systems

A Primer

By: Donella H. Meadows

Narrated by: Tia Rider Sorensen

In the years following her role as the lead author of the international best seller, Limits to Growth - the first book to show the consequences of unchecked growth on a finite planet - Donella Meadows remained a pioneer of environmental and social analysis until her untimely death in 2001.

Thinking in Systems is a concise and crucial book offering insight for problem-solving on scales ranging from the personal to the global. Edited by the Sustainability Institute's Diana Wright, this essential primer brings systems thinking out of the realm of computers and equations and into the tangible world, showing listeners how to develop the systems-thinking skills that thought leaders across the globe consider critical for 21st-century life.

Some of the biggest problems facing the world - war, hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation - are essentially system failures. They cannot be solved by fixing one piece in isolation from the others, because even seemingly minor details have enormous power to undermine the best efforts of too-narrow thinking.

While listeners will learn the conceptual tools and methods of systems thinking, the heart of the book is grander than methodology. Donella Meadows was known as much for nurturing positive outcomes as she was for delving into the science behind global dilemmas. She reminds listeners to pay attention to what is important, not just what is quantifiable, to stay humble, and to stay a learner.

In a world growing ever more complicated, crowded, and interdependent, Thinking in Systems helps listeners avoid confusion and helplessness, the first step toward finding proactive and effective solutions.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2008 Sustainability Institute (P)2018 Chelsea Green Publishing

A paradigm shifting read

It’ll change the way you think about pretty much everything you know about yourself, the world, and everything in between.

brilliant intro into this topic

Was not sure what to expect but was pleasantly suprised by the depth width and humanity of the coverage of this fascinating topic

One of the most inspiring and used for books I’ve ever read

I’ve been playing around with the concept of system dynamics for years, and I had a feeling if there was something much more to it than what I’ve seen. Reading this book has given me a glimpse into what system dynamics could mean for me open my business and personal life. It’s filled with real world examples of how seeing the world in terms of systems rather than simple objects can totally change your perspective and give you insights into lasting, positive change. It’s a lot to take in all at once, so I plan to give it a rest for a few months and then reread it. I have a feeling it will be one of the books I return to many times in the future.

An absolutely fantastic systems introduction

varied examples, not too jargon heavy, prescient, and necessary, an absolute must read for anyone working with systems from 'the system' to a car to a group of friends

A masterpiece

This book now sits atop my “most compelling books” list, yet I’ll need to read it about a dozen more times to glean most of the insights presented so beautifully. If you are a human, or any conscious mortal being for that matter, you must read this book.

Excellent book

I’m really impressed by the research presented in this book. The content is high quality and provides many interesting points to consider. I only listened to it once and feel as though I’ve only scratched the surface of what thinking in systems is all about. This is a must read for intellectual thinkers.

Excellent, clear, practical

This is the first book I have read on systems thinking. I am broadly familiar with the principles of systems thinking. However this primer has given me more of a grounding than I expected. I could relate to everything she said as it is written in a clear, accessible way. Narration is excellent as well. I highly recommend this primer.

The Hidden Logic of Cautionary Takes

The greatest thing the book does is going beyond diagraming and theory and apply system thinking to most of our current global challenges, putting clear examples to feedback loops, leverage points, paradigms and more.

Excellent and enjoyable intro to System Dynamics

I love this book and listening to this audio version is a delightful experience. Tia Rider Sorensen narrates this perfectly.

Donella Meadows was truly an inspiring systems thinker. Her marvellous insights are so well and clearly communicated throughout this book that it will keep interested both the System Dynamics practitioner and the Layman alike.

This is a book that I wished all policymakers in the world would read/listen to.

Highly worthwhile read, though not very technical

Brilliant overview of a field I knew very little about. And kind of horrifying how little we have learned since 1993, as almost every example of a destructive system trap or destabilizing feedback loop, from the destruction of the natural environment to climate change, government corruption to substance abuse, is still 100% relevant in 2019.