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Gall's Law

A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked. A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work. You have to start over with a working simple system.

– John Gall (Systemantics: How Systems Really Work and How They Fail)

evolution Complex adaptive systems

Simple rules produce complex behavior. Complex rules produce stupid behavior.

– Andrew Hunt, 37 Signals

See also:

Provoking Emergence

design patterns

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systems strategy

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