| Getting Started with PatternDynamics™ |
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PatternDynamics™ is based on a few simple premises:
Natural Principles Natural systems have endured on planet earth for hundreds of millions of years—this is a very good track record in sustainability. Nature accomplishes this feat by following some basic patterns of organization or what we can think of as general design patterns. These design patterns are the principles of sustainability. That is, if we learn these design patterns and how to apply them as principles, we may make human systems as sustainable as natural systems.
Once they are pointed out, most of us recognize nature's design principles. We recognize them because we are natural systems, and because we have lived successfully within other systems like ecologies, households, communities and workplaces our whole lives. Most of us are actually experts, even if we don't know it. We may not know it because our society places an emphasis on the scientific investigation of 'parts', but not necessarily on the patterns of organization that form them into 'wholes'. PatternDynamics™ is a simple practice for awakening your capacity for 'whole systems thinking' by pointing out the natural patterns of organization you already experience.
Cultures of Sustainability Culture can be thought of as a set of shared values and understandings that allow a group of people to act in a coordinated way— to collaborate successfully: the stronger the culture the more successful the collaboration. The values and understanding that form a culture of sustainability are created through knowing the principles of sustainability and the principles of sustainability can be seen in the patterns of natural design. This is how PatternDynamics™ becomes a tool for creating cultures of sustainability through learning nature's design principles.
Getting Started The easiest way to get started in learning to use the PatternDynamics™ chart is to start with a system you know really well—your own body. More content on this topic coming soon!
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