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Foundations in Systems Integration
interaction (as in the example of the supply chain) to establish and maintain
stability. And, stability for a grouping depends on the uses of the final product or service.
Metastability
For a system to exist and sustain itself as a system, it requires a semblance of
metastability or stability to continue as a system. While stability is achievable through interaction, system properties and traits are only sustainable
as an integrated system.* We define metastability of a system based on the
naturally occurring metastabilities in galactic nebulae (Langford 1971).
Metastability is the intrinsic property of a group of objects that persists in an
apparent equilibrium of interactions between objects where only a small disturbance in the established interaction can dramatically change (reduce or
increase) the system’s lifetime. Such an aggregation that is sometimes not-asystem and at other times a system seems precariously close to existing or not
existing as a system. We referred to such an entity as a ProtaSystem—one
that is transitional between acting as an aggregate of objects and a system of
objects. Changes to a ProtaSystem could result in complete loss of some measure of presumed stability or, alternatively, through a progression of changes
a substantial increase in the group’s lifetime (and might now be referred to
as a system if system-like properties were sustained). ProtaSystems are metastable, while Systems and NotaSystems are stable. Figure 3.2 depicts these
differences.
Even with stability, systems have varying lifetimes, so ProtaSystems are
characteristically sufficiently unusual that their anomalous behaviors tend
to take considerable investigation to ply a measure of appreciation for the
cause(s) and effects of the transitional characteristics. The importance of
metastable systems in the natural world cannot be understated. These transitional ProtaSystems are incubators for stars and planets and breeding
grounds for sea and land species. An example of a metastable system is
galactic nebulae where stars and planets are birthed. Interactions between
atoms and molecules are sufficiently long so as to produce spectral lines that
are not observed in the Earth’s atmosphere (and therefore perplexing for
many years). In the case of a metastable system with an unequivocal loss in
stability or dramatic improvement in stability, the objects show changes that
are observable in their properties as well as in their traits.
* The statement that system properties and traits are only sustainable as an integrated system
would seem to be a tautology. The degree to which the system properties and traits are stable
depends on both the spatial extent of those properties and traits and the degree of stability.
Some systems are quite stable (i.e., have very long lifetimes, but are metastable for long periods). For example, animals and plants living in tide pools are not always under water and not
always out of water. Yet, tidal pools are teaming with life that would seem to cling precariously to a very small area of existence.
Foundations in Systems Integration
interaction (as in the example of the supply chain) to establish and maintain
stability. And, stability for a grouping depends on the uses of the final product or service.
Metastability
For a system to exist and sustain itself as a system, it requires a semblance of
metastability or stability to continue as a system. While stability is achievable through interaction, system properties and traits are only sustainable
as an integrated system.* We define metastability of a system based on the
naturally occurring metastabilities in galactic nebulae (Langford 1971).
Metastability is the intrinsic property of a group of objects that persists in an
apparent equilibrium of interactions between objects where only a small disturbance in the established interaction can dramatically change (reduce or
increase) the system’s lifetime. Such an aggregation that is sometimes not-asystem and at other times a system seems precariously close to existing or not
existing as a system. We referred to such an entity as a ProtaSystem—one
that is transitional between acting as an aggregate of objects and a system of
objects. Changes to a ProtaSystem could result in complete loss of some measure of presumed stability or, alternatively, through a progression of changes
a substantial increase in the group’s lifetime (and might now be referred to
as a system if system-like properties were sustained). ProtaSystems are metastable, while Systems and NotaSystems are stable. Figure 3.2 depicts these
differences.
Even with stability, systems have varying lifetimes, so ProtaSystems are
characteristically sufficiently unusual that their anomalous behaviors tend
to take considerable investigation to ply a measure of appreciation for the
cause(s) and effects of the transitional characteristics. The importance of
metastable systems in the natural world cannot be understated. These transitional ProtaSystems are incubators for stars and planets and breeding
grounds for sea and land species. An example of a metastable system is
galactic nebulae where stars and planets are birthed. Interactions between
atoms and molecules are sufficiently long so as to produce spectral lines that
are not observed in the Earth’s atmosphere (and therefore perplexing for
many years). In the case of a metastable system with an unequivocal loss in
stability or dramatic improvement in stability, the objects show changes that
are observable in their properties as well as in their traits.
* The statement that system properties and traits are only sustainable as an integrated system
would seem to be a tautology. The degree to which the system properties and traits are stable
depends on both the spatial extent of those properties and traits and the degree of stability.
Some systems are quite stable (i.e., have very long lifetimes, but are metastable for long periods). For example, animals and plants living in tide pools are not always under water and not
always out of water. Yet, tidal pools are teaming with life that would seem to cling precariously to a very small area of existence.