Re: Tools for complexity LO444

John Conover (john@johncon.com)
Fri, 17 Mar 95 01:42 PST

George Por writes in LO428:

> Steve wrote in LO426:
>> There have been many
>> references to complexity on this list, most of which, to my untrained
>> ears, seem to elaborate on the origins and the philosophical underpinnings
>> of complexity.

>> So far we have found very little
>> that provides layperson's ( read ordinary managers) access to the tools of
>> complexity.

>> Do you know of the existence of resources that have an operational bent to
>> them?

> Yes, I do. One of the best resources for managing complexity, with a very
> practical, managerial bent to it is "Cybernetics: A New Management Tool, by
> Barry Clemson.

Thanks, George. Steve, you might want to pick up a copy of:
"Complexity", Roger Lewin, Macmillan, 1992. Light non-mathematical
treatment of the history and concept of the subject, with other
applications. "Complexification," by John L. Casti, HarperCollins,
1994, is good, also. Also light reading. Lewin writes a lot for
"Science" magazine, and Casti is an applied mathematician that has
written a lot about modern mathematical concepts for the general
public.

John

-- 

John Conover, 631 Lamont Ct., Campbell, CA., 95008, USA. VOX 408.370.2688, FAX 408.379.9602 john@johncon.com