Reference #327: Thinking in Systems

A balancing feedback loop is one that stabilises the stock level at a given value of range of values. It is goal-seeking, stability seeking.

This is a common type of feedback loop. Consider a hot cup of coffee in a room. The discrepancy between the coffee's temperature and room temperature causes the coffee to gradually cool. The rate of cooling depends on the difference between these temperatures; a greater difference leads to faster cooling. This behaviour also occurs in the opposite direction — a cool coffee will warm to room temperature. In the case of the coffee, the system seeks the goal of room temperature.

Meadows. Thinking in Systems, 2008. (27-29)

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