REPLY Renaming System Dynamics (SD6354)

[SDMAIL Bob Cavana]

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

WAS Please Capitalize System Dynamics (SD6350)

hi all,
 
i would like to add a few comments to my posting last week on this thread, 
although it has now 'factured' into a number of new threads.
 
my comments relate to: 
(1) the current questioning over the name 'system dynamics' to describe 
    our field; and 
    [2 is a separate post]
 
Firstly,
(1) the name of 'system dynamics' to describe our field
 
- we should be very careful about changing the name. it is becoming 
  extremely well known as a very powerful methodology (set of methodologies, 
  approaches etc) within the systems sciences. for example i 'googled' the 
  name 'system dynamics' on the internet today (www.google.com) and came up with:
- 118,000,000 items for 'system dynamics' (in 0.14 seconds)
compared with:
- 6,220,000 items for 'econometrics'
- 6,480,000 items for 'cybernetics'
- 151,000,000 items for 'economics'
 
There is also an extremely good Wikipedia entry for the term 'system dynamics'.
most of the better known 'system dynamics' web sites come up on the first page 
of the google search.
 
i think that the name system dynamics (SD) has now become very well known globally, 
and to change the name (again) may be detrimental to the field.
 
however, i do recognise the dilemma some people may face when using the terms 
'qualitative system dynamics' and 'systems thinking' but that is another issue 
(& debate)!

Posted by  "Bob Cavana" <Bob.Cavana at vuw.ac.nz>
posting date  Sun, 25 Mar 2007 08:52:35 +1200