Systems

First posited by John Gall in his book Systemantics. Some laws include:

1. Systems in general work poorly or not at all.
2. Complicated systems seldom exceed five percent efficiency.
3. In complex systems, malfunction and even total non-function may not be detectable for long periods (if ever).
4. A system can fail in an infinite number of ways.
5. Systems tend to grow, and as they grow, they encroach.
6. As systems grow in complexity, they tend to oppose their stated function.
7. As systems grow in size, they tend to lose basic functions.
8. The larger the system, the less the variety in the product.
9. The larger the system, the narrower and more specialized the interfaces between individual elements.
10. Control of a system is exercised by the element with the greatest variety of behavioral responses.
11. Loose systems last longer and work better.
12. Complex systems exhibit complex and unexpected behaviors.
13. Colossal systems foster colossal errors.

Systems People

"Systems generate systems people." The more complex a system becomes, the harder it is to administer it. If it grows large enough, professionals will appear with the esoteric skills necessary to maintain the system. If you have enough laws, you'll get lawyers. If you have enough computers, you'll get computer programmers, who in turn will specialize into hardware, software, middleware, etc.

Systems people have a vested interest in continuing whatever system supports their lifestyle. Unfortunately, given that larger systems tend towards inefficency, this can lead to widespread conservativism and a refusal to "upgrade" to better, leaner, simpler systems. Systems people can be blamed for the ills of the present day (e.g. "Kill all the lawyers"). In a post-scarcity society, systems people such as engineers and laborers might cease to exist ... and more philosophers, information-brokers, and entertainers would come into being.