In the land of systems thinking there is a principle called “emergence.” It refers to the interaction of the parts of a system, whereby characteristics arise that cannot be found in any of the system’s individual parts. 

In other words, something new forms.

This word, “emergence,” reminds me a lot of its etymological relative, “emergency.” In fact, these two words are starting to blur, as I notice a lot of new things forming (emergences), sometimes in response to rather pressing and serious situations (emergencies). And in spite of sometimes feeling overwhelmed, I’m learning to love all this emergency.

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