REPLY Separate Professional Conference (SD6293)

[System Dynamics Mailing List]

Posted by  Bill Braun <bbraun at hlthsys.com>

Posted by Jean-Jacques Laublé <jean-jacques.lauble at wanadoo.fr>

> ... and makes the field looks like a pure academic field, except the few, 
> well known  and everlasting examples of so-called 'concrete' applications.
>   

I'm not sure the evidence supports this conclusion. Posts from Harris, Gunkler, 
Homer, Sterman, Hirsh, Thompson, Milstein, and McDonnell, to name a few, speak 
repeatedly to their work in the field. Save for "Principles of Systems" all of 
Jay's books are grounded in the real world. 

Of the 30 or so SD book in my library, 75% of them are of the "managerial 
application" type. When I'm trying to get insight into concrete problems, they 
are useful; that speaks for itself.

I am a bit weary of the assumption that learned, academic people are incapable of 
wrapping their hands around a real problem for reasons other than a theoretical 
spin around the block. Is it not possible to be both - grounded in reality and 
intellectually curious?

I find Jim Hines' suggestion to be viable and stimulating. I would attend. And I 
would continue to attend the annual ISDC; I like both worlds, appreciate both 
worlds, and find value in the thinking that takes place in both worlds.

The field benefits from both, in the same way two columns support a single lintel.

Bill Braun 
Posted by  Bill Braun <bbraun at hlthsys.com>
posting date  Thu, 22 Feb 2007 07:48:14 -0500