REPLY Please Capitalize System Dynamics (SD6338)

[SDMAIL Bob Cavana]

Posted by  "Bob Cavana" <Bob.Cavana at vuw.ac.nz>

hi all,
 
aren't we being a bit 'over-sensitive' here by trying to create a new norm to 
capitilise the first letters in our field of 'system dynamics'? in System 
Dynamics Review the field is referred to as 'system dynamics' not 'System 
Dynamics'; and that is the situation with most (all?) of the system dynamics 
textbooks.
 
the usual 'international norm' is to capitilise the acronym to SD which is 
also the standard practice in the systems sciences, eg Peter Checkland's soft 
systems methodology is referred to as SSM; Stafford Beer's viable systems 
model in cybernetics is referred to as VSM; etc
 
if we introduce further 'rituals' into system dynamics practice & behaviour, 
we possibly risk further 'alienation' rather than 'acceptance'.
unfortunately history is littered with ritualistic forms of behaviour - some 
good, some bad.
 
i suggest that members of the system dynamics community just continue to use 
their own judgement when they wish to refer to the field with the first 
letters capitilised or in lower case (as is the 'usual' practice).
 
all the best,
 
Bob
 
A/Prof Bob Cavana
Victoria Management School.
Posted by  "Bob Cavana" <Bob.Cavana at vuw.ac.nz>
posting date  Mon, 19 Mar 2007 09:42:51 +1200