Basal Modus

Subscribe

Markets

newsfeed
Upcoming Data Releases
Real Time Economic Calendar provided by Investing.com.
Charts

Asset Classes
Equity Indices
Dollar Strength
Commodities
Crypto

Research

A Loose Theory of Money

2024

The simplest and most accurate way to think about systems is as structures designed to persist across time. For both individuals and organizations, persistence is fundamentally about maintaining relevance and continuity within a broader context. This drive can be seen as a form of programming—biological, cultural, or organizational—manifesting through strategies, structures, and adaptations aimed at survival.

Abstractions, such as “freedom” or “democracy,” serve as the conceptual cores of systems. These are not self-sufficient; they require reconciliation through rules and shared participation to transition into operational realities. Systems often overlap and nest, forming complex webs of dependencies, much like interconnected ecosystems. This layering allows for both stability and evolution, where contradictions act as tension points that either strengthen or dismantle the system.

Network effects amplify the power of systems. The more participants align with a system, the stronger its influence and resilience. Systems with tangible anchors—real-world utilities like infrastructure or healthcare—tend to thrive over purely imagined constructs, though the latter can profoundly shape societies when tied to collective aspirations.

Companies are specialized systems, leveraging abstractions like “profit” or “value creation” to direct resources toward specific goals. Their success lies in their ability to integrate into broader networks while ensuring their own survival. Scale is not the ultimate measure; impact within interconnected systems is.

Ultimately, persistence across all systems, from biological to imagined, reflects a singular logic: to endure. Change arises as systems evolve to resolve contradictions or adapt to new realities. The key to progress lies in sustaining efforts toward coherence, adaptability, and collective benefit—ensuring the enduring vitality of the human experience and the structures we create.

For the individual, this framework offers insight into navigating complexity: participation in systems often requires reconciling personal desires with the broader needs of the collective. The challenge lies in balancing immediate contributions with the enduring mechanics of systems—whether biological, cultural, or economic.

Locke