Doomed Quote by Donella Meadows
“Any system, biological, economic, or social, that gets so encrusted that it cannot self-evolve, a system that systematically scorns experimentation and wipes out the raw material of innovation, is doomed over the long term on this highly variable planet.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Limits to Growth, Donella Meadows, 1972
Complex systems that become rigid and resist change eventually fail in a variable environment.
In simple terms: Rigid systems fail over time.
Encourage flexibility and experimentation.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- public policy
- technology development
- environmental management
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we identify rigidity early?
- What incentives foster experimentation?
Change can be costly and meet resistance.