Readers' Forum
Creating fresh problems
When an artificial or semi-artificial system or project (e.g. the aviary at Doongerwadi) is set up or initiated to accomplish some goal (e.g. disposal of dead bodies), a new entity comes into being — the artificial project itself. No matter what its goal, it immediately begins to exhibit system behavior, that is, to act according to the general laws that govern the operation of all systems. Now the system/project itself has to be dealt with, whereas earlier only the problem existed. People who understand systems have realized after years of laborious research that "large, experimental systems usually operate in failure mode” (Le Chatelier’s Principle: "The system tends to oppose its own proper function.”)
The largest building in the world, the space vehicle preparation shed at Cape Kennedy, generates its own weather, including clouds and rain. It was originally designed to protect space rockets from the elements; instead, it now pelts them with storms of its own!
The most classic example of "system failure” is the Aswan dam, built at enormous expense to improve the lot of the Egyptian peasant. It was a laudable and if one may add "logical” proposal. The dam however caused the Nile to deposit its fertilizing sediment in Lake Nasser, so Egyptian fields had to be artificially fertilized. Gigantic fertilizer plants had to be built to meet the new need. These in turn required enormous amounts of electricity. The dam therefore had to operate at capacity merely to supply the increased needs for electricity, a need which was created simply as a result of building the dam. The system introduced to solve a problem created problems of its own. The purpose of the vulture aviary at Doongerwadi is laudable. However, rather than solving the problem, it is likely to create fresh problems leading, God forbid, to total system failure. This is what the trustees need to keep uppermost in mind.
The largest building in the world, the space vehicle preparation shed at Cape Kennedy, generates its own weather, including clouds and rain. It was originally designed to protect space rockets from the elements; instead, it now pelts them with storms of its own!
The most classic example of "system failure” is the Aswan dam, built at enormous expense to improve the lot of the Egyptian peasant. It was a laudable and if one may add "logical” proposal. The dam however caused the Nile to deposit its fertilizing sediment in Lake Nasser, so Egyptian fields had to be artificially fertilized. Gigantic fertilizer plants had to be built to meet the new need. These in turn required enormous amounts of electricity. The dam therefore had to operate at capacity merely to supply the increased needs for electricity, a need which was created simply as a result of building the dam. The system introduced to solve a problem created problems of its own. The purpose of the vulture aviary at Doongerwadi is laudable. However, rather than solving the problem, it is likely to create fresh problems leading, God forbid, to total system failure. This is what the trustees need to keep uppermost in mind.
NOSHIR DADRAWALA
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