Scientific Definition
When a system in equilibrium is disturbed, it shifts to counteract the change.
Plain-English Definition
When a system in equilibrium is disturbed, it shifts to counteract the change.
Feynman Explanation
Push the system; it pushes back.
Core Principle
When a system in equilibrium is disturbed, it shifts to counteract the change.
Mechanisms
Pending editorial review.
When a system in equilibrium is disturbed, it shifts to counteract the change.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Most 'efficiency' gains get absorbed by systemic counter-reactions.
Inputs (Triggers)
Pending editorial review.
Outputs (Behaviors)
Pending editorial review.
Behavioral Signature
Push the system; it pushes back.
Examples
- Cut headcount; remaining work expands until the system stresses again.
- Most 'efficiency' gains get absorbed by systemic counter-reactions.
Pending editorial review.
Famous Experiments
Pending editorial review.
Design Principles
- Anticipate the rebound. Design changes that the system can't reabsorb.
Measurement Approaches
Pending editorial review.
Evidence
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
The Perverse Incentive Lens™
How this behavior is exploited — and how to redesign around it.
- Anticipate the rebound. Design changes that the system can't reabsorb.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Interactive Mini Network
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Knowledge Graph Neighbors
Auto-linked to the rest of the Human Behavior Taxonomy by family, domain, dimension, and shared keywords.
Most outcomes come from a few causes.
Institutions will try to preserve the problem to which they are the solution.
Combining substances to create a new material stronger than its parts.
A single constraint limits the throughput of an entire system.
A system's throughput is constrained by its single slowest step.
Small visible disorders signal that bigger ones will be tolerated.
Adding manpower to a late software project makes it later.
Adding people to a late project makes it later.
A substance that speeds up a reaction without being consumed.
Nonlinear systems are highly sensitive to initial conditions.
Inputs combine under conditions to produce new outputs — sometimes irreversibly.
Software architecture mirrors org structure.