On environments as systemic exoskeletons: Crosscutting optimizers and antifragility enablers

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel systemic classification framework that differentiates systems both horizontally by characteristics and vertically by hierarchical structure, enabling the design of environments that optimize and enhance system resilience and antifragility.

Contribution

It introduces a dual-dimensional classification approach for systems, facilitating the design of environments that act as systemic exoskeletons to improve system properties.

Findings

Enables detailed system differentiation through horizontal and vertical classification.

Supports the design of environments that serve as crosscutting optimizers.

Facilitates the development of antifragile system behaviors.

Abstract

Classic approaches to General Systems Theory often adopt an individual perspective and a limited number of systemic classes. As a result, those classes include a wide number and variety of systems that result equivalent to each other. This paper introduces a different approach: First, systems belonging to a same class are further differentiated according to five major general characteristics. This introduces a "horizontal dimension" to system classification. A second component of our approach considers systems as nested compositional hierarchies of other sub-systems. The resulting "vertical dimension" further specializes the systemic classes and makes it easier to assess similarities and differences regarding properties such as resilience, performance, and quality-of-experience. Our approach is exemplified by considering a telemonitoring system designed in the framework of Flemish project "Little Sister". We show how our approach makes it possible to design intelligent environments able to closely follow a system's horizontal and vertical organization and to artificially augment its features by serving as crosscutting optimizers and as enablers of antifragile behaviors.