Essential thoughts for ever #emergence

The semester is coming to an end and it is time to wrap up my experience in this course. First of all, I chose to take this course because it was offered face-to-face in my study department. I was happy to finally have the opportunity to take face-to-face classes after more than a year and a half where my studies have been done online since the pandemic started.

When I first went to this course, I immediately understood that the method used by the teacher to teach his course was a new approach, more human and pedagogical than a normal course. This new teaching method made me want to continue to go to this course. The way the course worked was very new to me, it was the first time I had to write afterwards on a blog about what I had thought, felt and learned during the course. I found this way of doing things interesting because you have to ask yourself questions about your own feelings, like a kind of introspection. Before, no teacher had ever asked me to ask myself what I felt during the class. However, I think it is important to reflect on the experience we have had in class in order to give meaning to our experiences

In addition, sharing our experiences on the blog also allows us to see how others experienced the course. It was interesting to see the different perceptions of each of us as we went through the same experience. We don’t all remember the same things and references, we don’t all have the same opinion, we express ourselves differently. Also, I found that the group activities were a good way to interact with others, it brings a human side to the course and it allows us to get to know each other.

Through the content of the course, I learned a lot of different theories that I didn’t know or that I knew vaguely before like Reductionism, Self-organization, Emergence, Anthropocene, Complexity, Singularity and so on and so on. So as interesting as others. It was very interesting to reflect on each concept. It was sometimes not easy to understand each concept but the definitions, quotes, cartoons, pictures and videos helped me to get a clearer idea.

At the beginning of the course I saw the system as essentially social. But I realized that the systematic approach was even broader than I had imagined from the first course. Each course gave me a clearer concept of systems theory. Generally speaking, a system is a set of elements that interact with each other according to certain principles or rules. As I have met with others, I have learned that system applies to a variety of phenomena. Among them, the ecosystem is a form of system because there is the formation of a living whole formed by a grouping of different species in interrelations, notably for feeding and reproduction. The balance of the ecosystem is maintained in the conservation of interactions between these organisms. This stability is important in any system. In order to maintain an equilibrium, the organisms function according to a self-organization. The system can also take other forms and be seen in the infinitely small with the atomic system and electrons or in the infinitely large with the solar system and galaxies. I find each system fascinating

The complex and unified whole of a system is supposed to have a specific purpose. It is still complicated for me to understand some forms of systems through their purposes. The cellular system seems more complicated to me than the social system. To me, these science-based systems are full of mysteries that are difficult to understand because you need to have knowledge of the physical or biological sciences to understand them well. Science plays an important role in understanding all kinds of phenomena. It frustrated me that I didn’t understand everything, but I finally understood that it was normal not to understand systems perfectly, because we can never be 100% sure of the objectives of each system, even scientists have difficulty explaining them. We can only guess at them. This is why systems are complex. I find it funny to think that we are just a group of atoms trying to understand groups of atoms.

I found the concepts of the Anthropocene and the Singularity very interesting. They both show the changes that humans can bring to the Earth. The Antropocene highlights the period of time that human activities have had an environmental impact on the Earth, considered to be a distinct geological era. The current problems in ecosystems caused by human activity are of concern. Humans have been so intent on appropriating their environment that they have totally altered it to the point of destruction. Fortunately humans are becoming aware of this and are increasingly taking action to preserve our environment, nature and animals. We are masters of ourselves and we can consume better and adopt better habits of life that will not or less hinder the ecosystems. Even if our actions are done on a small scale, the important thing is that our consciences are formed and concerned about the subject. Education can be a key to change the consciousness about the environment and the current ecological problems.

The Singularity illuminates the hypothetical moment when technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, leading to unforeseen changes in human civilization. It is an interesting theme that may still seem utopian at the moment, but it could happen soon when we see the ever more creative technological inventions that humans are able to create with artificial intelligence. Wondering if human robots can become more intelligent than humans is not stupid when we see that humans have a lot of trouble setting limits.

It made me realize that every human action can have a huge impact on the system. Even the smallest actions that may seem to have no impact can actually impact the system to the point of changing its course, either positively or negatively. Complexity means that every decision made or action taken can have a very different consequence in our future lives. In addition, it is important to consider the idea of interconnectedness. Every system is interconnected to such an extent that if we want to try to solve ecological, human, and economic problems, we have to consider these problems together and not divide them.

This course was enriching both on a human level and in terms of content. It made me question myself on several important themes of our society. At the end of each course, I left the room satisfied to have learned and thought about new concepts, but also to have been enriched by the opinions of everyone. Thus, I will keep a good memory of the course “System Theory, Psychology and Social Media”. I learned a lot about systems theory. It was a nice paradox for me to be gathered in the same room to attend a course that explained what a system was.

I have learned to question what I have understood, what I have learned, what I have not yet understood, and how it might be useful in my future life. I have found it essential to ask myself these questions and plan to continue to do so in the future, not only in my college classes but also in my life experiences.
I will keep in mind the map that showed where we each grew up. It was a nice symbol to show the bond that people from different countries have.
I also liked one of the closing words of the last meeting, “Janus.” It is both the God of the beginning and the God of the end. He is represented by two faces, one that looks back and one that looks forward. This means that at the end of each experience, there must be a new door to another experience.

So it was a pleasure to meet you and I wish you all the best