Pets, Politics, and Pandemics: Navigating Life with Lessons from Science

In an intriguing intersection of real-world scenarios, there’s a fascinating course being offered that dives deep into System Theory, using everyday examples like pets, politics, and pandemics. 🗽 Imagine exploring the scientific underpinnings of a border collie chasing a moose 🦌, the complexities behind Brexit in the UK 🇬🇧, and Canada’s strategy to flatten the curve during the pandemic 🇨🇦. These seemingly disparate topics provide a rich canvas to understand how system dynamics influence our environment.

Discovering the Core of System Theory

The course, led by a distinguished professor from the engineering school—with an impressive background that includes Oxford and a Ph.D. from Penn—aims to unravel the mysteries of System Theory through a model known as SRFSuP: System (S), Response (R), Force (F), Susceptibility (Su), and Propagation time (P). This framework allows us to describe any problem through these five key aspects.

While we can control the “Force” applied to a system, the “Response” remains unpredictable, as each system possesses its unique personality and quirks. This underscores a critical lesson: the importance of adapting our understanding to different scenarios. A particularly captivating concept introduced in the course is Shannon Information, which measures how surprised you are by new information. If you’re not surprised, you might be caught in a propaganda loop (an ‘information cocoon’), whereas continuous surprises indicate a dynamic, educational environment that fosters critical thinking. ☕

Engagement and Learning Through Canvas

The course utilizes Canvas, a platform familiar to many students, where participants will embark on a journey through various modules, complete tests, engage in discussions, and finally, fill out a questionnaire to earn their certificate. 🎓 This comprehensive approach ensures that students not only passively consume information but engage actively with the material.

Unlocking Opportunities for Non-Alumni

For those interested in this unique learning experience but who aren’t alumni, there’s a golden opportunity! The originally priced course of ¥350 is being offered for free to both current students and alumni. For non-alumni, there’s a discount code available to help waive the entire fee, allowing anyone to seize this enriching opportunity before the deadline of January 31. Don’t miss out; hand slow won’t do you any favors! 😄

Conclusion

In summary, this course not only enhances our understanding of complex systems through engaging examples but also opens the door to critical thinking and personal growth. Whether you’re intrigued by the behavior of pets, the intricacies of politics, or how societies navigate pandemics, this course offers valuable lessons for navigating life’s challenges through a scientific lens.