About

The Wrong Model is a lightly-moderated blog dedicated to thinking about how to use systems tools, particularly systems modeling, to advance social justice.

The name of the blog has a double meaning. First, it is a reference to John Sterman’s piece “All Models are Wrong: Reflections on Becoming a Systems Scientist” which is a great overview of the importance of a feedback view of the world for solving social problems. Its title is, of course, a reference to statistician George Box’s quote that “All models are wrong, but some of them are useful.”

Secondly, it points out that far too often in our framing and understanding of both social problems and possible solutions to those problems, we are using the wrong mental models. While we are embedded in a world of complexity, interdependence, and non-linearity, our discussions around social problems remain rooted in a linear view of the world where causes and effects are close in time and space and the search for “who is to blame” often trumps “why is this happening”.

Submissions are always welcome. Please view our submission guidelines.

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