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Note:
You must use iThink/STELLA 8 to view
this month's story:
Download Story of the Month -
Windows Macintosh
The
Story of the Month
by Steve Peterson
The arena of arts and culture is fascinating to view
through the lens of a systems perspective. A wealth of issues exist here,
ranging from those associated with the day-to-day business operations in
organizations such as community theaters or museums, to the longer term and
wider ranging issues associated with the evolution of the cultural landscape in
the United States.
This month's story looks at an important dynamic in the cultural landscape,
focusing on the relationships between amateur cultural activities, which engage
participants as active creators, and professional arts and culture, which tend
to engage participants more passively. How do these relationships relate to the
trend toward decreasing active engagement and increasing passive consumption
over the past 40 years?
The story develops a very simple model of engagement dynamic, and illustrates
the role of systems thinking as a discussion focusing mechanism. Enjoy!
Note:
You must use iThink/STELLA 8 to view
this month's story:
Download Story of the Month - Windows
Macintosh
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About this Feature
The Story of the Month feature came
about in response to the unexpected death of our dear friend, mentor, and
colleague Donella Meadows in the winter of 2001. Dana was extremely gifted in
many areas of life. She was a superb teacher, a gifted writer, and an incisive
systems thinker. She had a profoundly positive impact on the lives of those she
touched through her writing, her speaking, and her personal interactions.
Like Dana, Barry Richmond was a superb teacher, a gifted writer, and an
incisive systems thinker whose impact on the lives he touched was profound.
Like Dana, Barry had a rich set of skills to accompany his passion for applying
a systems perspective to the pressing issues of our day. Like Dana, Barry's
passing was unexpected - leaving a void that will not soon be filled.
The HPS Story of the Month is a tribute to the legacies of Barry and Dana. Each
month's story, told using the iThink/STELLA software, applies systems thinking
in a practical way to some issue in the headlines. Stories are based on small
(1-page) maps or models, in keeping with Barry's and Dana's gift for making
points clearly and succinctly.
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About the Author
Steve Peterson is Principal of The
Peterson Group, a consulting firm based in West Lebanon, NH. Steve's current
work revolves around three major focal areas:
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Workshop design and delivery, using the Systems Thinking framework to address
strategic, organizational, and operational issues.
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Client-specific project work. With current clients in Financial Services,
Consulting, Military, Pharmaceuticals, and Automotive industries, Steve's
project work focuses on the design and development of simulation models in
topic areas such as strategy, personnel, finance, operations, marketing, and
process-improvement.
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Design and development of customized simulation model-based applications.
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Steve has over 20 years experience in
the practical application of Systems Thinking and System Dynamics in business,
education, and government. He has led over 100 training sessions focused on the
Systems Thinking approach and the iThink / STELLA software. He has extensive
experience in the design and development of simulation-based learning
environments. He has developed numerous simulation models addressing a wide
array of topics and issues in business and in education.
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