Page 76 - The Complexity Perspective 20 02 18

nonlinearity and not linearity; anyway, linear thinking comes easily,
nonlinear thinking is more challenging and more difficult to model.

Confusion in Terms is Easy

Sadly, for the layperson, the idea of positive and negative feedback and
the term nonlinearity is bedeviled by confusing terminology.

Positive Feedback

Amplifies a change in the same direction e.g., toward more growth or

toward a decline in say a market. The word positive refers only to the
idea of amplification, not to the (say) nature of the opinion being
communicated. So, to risk confusion, a positive opinion can be a
positive feedback loop that amplifies growth. A negative opinion can

also be a positive feedback loop but, in this case, may amplify decline.

Negative Feedback

Negative feedback stabilizes a phenomenon around an equilibrium
point or path by reversing the current direction of change. E.g., if a

thermostat senses that a house is too warm it shuts off the heating so
induces a cooling. No amplification is involved, simply reversal. This
form of feedback is known technically as homeostasis. and it leads to
fluctuations around an equilibrium (say the desired house

temperature).

Far-from-Equilibrium

Negative feedback loops have counteracting effects so that the system
oscillates around an equilibrium point e.g., the temperature in a

thermostat, or over time an equilibrium path.

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