Iceberg Model
In a nutshell, the idea is that you look below the surface of any problem/event, to figure out the underlying patterns, structures and mental models that led to the event.
You see it referenced a lot in relation to [[systems thinking]], but the results that come up in a search feel a little bit sketchy. Where does it come from originally? It's mentioned obliquely in [[Thinking in Systems]], so perhaps that's the genesis.
Like the tip of an iceberg rising above the water, events are the most visible aspect of a larger complex—but not always the most important.
– [[Thinking in Systems]]
Some links
See [[Dominoes Experience]]
Q: What does Paddington say when he gets hit by that domino?
Responses will be "ouch, that hurt" etc
Q: Anything else?
Keep prompting until they/or you say "Who did that to me?"
Bring up the point about blame. When things go wrong we look for some one to blame.
Robert Bloch
Bloch quote: The man who can smile when things go wrong has thought of someone else he can blame it on!
Often they will say that Paddington won't say that he'll say something like that was silly of me. But point out that Paddington thinks he is between the two dominoes.
Explain that this mode of action is what we call "REACTION". An event happens and we react to it.
Q: What if Paddington isn't crushed and the dominoes keep getting re-erected and he keeps doing the same thing with the same result. What might happen then?
Talk about people starting to notice patterns of events and extrapolating these patterns. The conclusion is that this system is dangerous and we need to protect ourselves. So Paddington goes and buys a hard helmet and back protector. He adapts his behavior to fit the system. He is a victim of it.
Q: What if Paddington asked why and looked at the system from a different perspective?
Only when we can stand back and see all the components and relationships in a system (ie the structure) can we open up choices and make better decisions.
The iceberg model has Events & reactions at the tip of the iceberg. At the water level we have Patterns and Adaptation. At the base of the iceberg (deep under the sea) we have the underlying structure which creates the patterns and the events. Reaction is short term. Understanding structure is generative.
NB Reaction is feed-back and Structure is feed-forward.
- public document at doc.anagora.org/iceberg-model
- video call at meet.jit.si/iceberg-model
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