In this lecture, we prepare for the final exam and review topics from the whole semester.
SOS 212: Systems, Dynamics, and Sustainability
Archive of lectures given as part of SOS 212 (Systems, Dynamics, and Sustainability) at Arizona State University with instructor Theodore (Ted) Pavlic.
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Friday, November 18, 2022
Lecture G1 (2022-11-17): Randomness and Chaos
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Lecture F3 (2022-11-15): Chapter 10, Model Validity, Mental Models, and Learning (Morecroft, 2015)
In this lecture, we review the Chapter 10 of Morecroft (2015), which revisits a discussion of the function of models and discusses methods of building confidence in (simulation) models. We connect Morecroft's message to similar messages from Frank Keil (on formal models/theories and the shallows of explanation). We also discuss how tangible models that Morecroft describes as "transitional objects" can also be viewed as "boundary objects" on interdisciplinary teams. We discuss different ways of verifying, validating, and calibrating models. This lets us discuss things like boundary adequacy and structural adequacy, which are important to designing the high-level architecture of a model. We close with a discussion of how ultimately we build the most confidence in models when those models result in us learning something about a system.
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Lecture F2 (2022-11-10): Chapter 9, Public Sector Applications of Strategic Modelling (Morecroft 2015)
In this lecture, we review topics from Chapter 9 of Morecroft (2015) on public sector applications of strategic modelling (i.e., system dynamics modeling, SDM). We start by walking through Forrester's Urban Growth Dynamics model and how it helps act as a lens for thinking about the drivers of stagnation in cities. Then we shift to thinking about regulation in a fishery. We take this opportunity to introduce the notion of a "tipping point" as well as the tool of a "bifurcation diagram." We do not have enough time to show how to endogenize exploitation decisions within the fishery model, but details of this are presented by Morecroft (2015).
Friday, November 4, 2022
Lecture F1 (2022-11-04): Chapter 8, Industry Dynamics – Oil Price and the Global Oil Producers (Morecroft, 2015)
In this lecture, we cover examples and a case study explored by Morecroft (2015, ch. 8) relating to building and using system dynamics models of the global oil industry. At a high level, the salient points are how to model an apparently large and complex system with a tractable set of (relatively small) stocks and how to build models sector by sector to reduce the modeling burden. At a lower level, we focus on modeling the effects of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) on the global oil industry.
Friday, October 28, 2022
Lecture E5 (2022-10-27): Assignment E5 – Creating Limited, Coupled Population Models
In this lecture, we discuss an upcoming assignment in SOS 212 that will provide practice in creating more complex, multi-sector system dynamics models. We review how to create rate formulas for processes like population growth. We review lookup tables. We review ghost primitives/shadow variables. We also introduce how to use modular arithmetic (mod/modulo/modulus) that, when combined with a lookup table, makes seasonal patterns easy to introduce in system dynamics models. This is also covered for both Vensim (from Ventana Software) and Insight Maker.
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Lecture E4 (2022-10-25): Chapter 6, The Dynamics of Growth and Diffusion (Morecroft, 2015)
In this lecture, we cover topics discussed by Morecroft (2015, Chapter 6) on the dynamics of growth and diffusion and relate them to other systems with S-shaped growth that we've seen in the past – a simple fishery model as well as epidemic growth. The main focus of this chapter is on the Bass model of innovation diffusion, which includes a contagion-like word-of-mouth loop (similar to the "SI" in an "SIR" model, or similar to population growth in a fishery) as well as an advertising loop to get the process started (like inoculating a population with its first infectious individuals). We then cover embellishments of the Bass model and do a strategic thinking example on one of those embellishments, which relates to strategy for the entry of easyJet as a low-cost airline into an existing marketplace of major carriers.
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