something to think about

[treelizard]

This was a riddle of sorts in an e-mail I received related to a training I'm gonna take. You guys are smart so I wanted to see if you could figure it out. I had to go to the source for the answer.

How do the following systems work, and how do they relate to one another?

the spread of the common cold; a high-interest rumor mill; a growing fashion trend; a successful political campaign; escalating conflict between two characters in a story; an interest-earning bank account; a non-linear exponential mathematical function

[Tant01]

How many of us need to read it befor you tell the answer?

[treelizard]

You have to make educated guesses!

[Bjjexpertise@be]

Ok it's really early in the morning but I'm going to take a random stab at it before I go to sleep:

All these things spread/multiply in some way shape or form until they eventually die off.
EX:
Cold spreads, but eventually goes away.
Trends spread like wildfire but die.
Interest multiplies until you withdraw it.
Conflict between 2 characters spread and develop until it resolves in the end.

---
U know after typing that out it doesn't even make any sense to me so i hope it makes sense to you guys reading it :-\.

[treelizard]

Close, really close!!! WHY do these things spread, multiply or die off?

[Bjjexpertise@be]

The spread because......it's the nature of the beast?
I'll give it some more thought but feel free to post the answer whenev.

[treelizard]

I was hoping Brewer would give it a shot.

[Bjjexpertise@be]

Ouch. That's a shot below the belt .

[treelizard]

Ouch. That's a shot below the belt .

Sorry--nothing personal, just because he likes shit like that.

[Tom Yum]

Why did you bring up Brewer's name in this?

Sounds like drama.

[treelizard]

Why did you bring up Brewer's name in this?

Cos he's always posting weird riddles and shit and I wanted him to try mine.

No more questions unless you take a guess!

[Tom Yum]

Cos he's always posting weird riddles and shit and I wanted him to try mine.

Socratic method?

So what.

Look, I'm really busy and don't post that much - but I'll check back here later.

[treelizard]

Okay, okay...

The answer is





























They are complex feedback systems.

They change in response to feedback and influences the subsequent actions. Like for example, if a body becomes resistant to a cold, it mutates. Or if you drive around a curve too sharply and you see a mailbox rushing towards you, your feedback indicates you are turning too promptly and will prompt your response.

[Bjjexpertise@be]

I was expecting a less complex response. Like, answer is: shadow.

[treelizard]

I was expecting a less complex response. Like, answer is: shadow.

sorry