Comments on: Game all systems so that they adapt or fail http://www.dismountingourtiger.com/business-health/game-every-system-to-keep-it-adapting/ He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:42:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: hank cole http://www.dismountingourtiger.com/business-health/game-every-system-to-keep-it-adapting/comment-page-1/#comment-374 hank cole Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:04:30 +0000 http://www.dismountingourtiger.com/?p=319#comment-374 I agree with many of your points; however, there is a modified approach that places greater emphasis on the interplay of competition, cooperation, and emergent knowledge. Sure, simpler organisms rely on programmed codes; however, those with more sophisticated minds rely to a greater extent on stored knowledge and projection (computers may help). Those in the 'game" may compete but may begin to envision the benefits of cooperation, of win-wins based on learning. Wisdom is knowing when there are sufficient benefits to engage in cooperation, and the persuasive talent to convince others to participate. However, not only do brains emerge, but so can cultures. I am thinking of a basketball team. You compete to make the team. You then compete to make the starting five (and continue to do so). But you have to perform as a team; if the coach is wise he will reward not only individual performance but good team work. Next scale up, the team competes against other teams in the conference; the best make the final four. But there is another level; competition between players and teams sharpens the whole. The tournament is very exciting, and the fans rush to get their tickets. Then there is the role of governance: smart league administrators know that they can't allow cheating (e.g.via bribes, steroids, bets, and the likes). In the era of deregulation; the referees are asleep or worse, the league executives are busy feathering their own nests, the Universities have forgotten about academic standards, the best players are hollow and spoiled, and the poor kid looking for a role model, well..... Hank: Thanks for your comments and your basketball metaphor. You might be interested in an essay I wrote years ago, while still in the throes of competitive battles in hi-tech, titled "Do You Compete With or Compete Against?" ( http://www.elew.com/competit.pdf) It falls in line with your thinking, and still forms part of my core belief system. Ed Lee I agree with many of your points; however, there is a modified approach that places greater emphasis on the interplay of competition, cooperation, and emergent knowledge. Sure, simpler organisms rely on programmed codes; however, those with more sophisticated minds rely to a greater extent on stored knowledge and projection (computers may help). Those in the ‘game” may compete but may begin to envision the benefits of cooperation, of win-wins based on learning. Wisdom is knowing when there are sufficient benefits to engage in cooperation, and the persuasive talent to convince others to participate. However, not only do brains emerge, but so can cultures.
I am thinking of a basketball team. You compete to make the team. You then compete to make the starting five (and continue to do so). But you have to perform as a team; if the coach is wise he will reward not only individual performance but good team work. Next scale up, the team competes against other teams in the conference; the best make the final four. But there is another level; competition between players and teams sharpens the whole. The tournament is very exciting, and the fans rush to get their tickets. Then there is the role of governance: smart league administrators know that they can’t allow cheating (e.g.via bribes, steroids, bets, and the likes).

In the era of deregulation; the referees are asleep or worse, the league executives are busy feathering their own nests, the Universities have forgotten about academic standards, the best players are hollow and spoiled, and the poor kid looking for a role model, well…..

Hank:
Thanks for your comments and your basketball metaphor.

You might be interested in an essay I wrote years ago, while still in the throes of competitive battles in hi-tech, titled “Do You Compete With or Compete Against?” ( http://www.elew.com/competit.pdf) It falls in line with your thinking, and still forms part of my core belief system.

Ed Lee

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