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1---
2link: https://jods.mitpress.mit.edu/pub/issue3-brand/release/2
3title: "Pace Layering: How Complex Systems Learn and Keep Learning"
4permalink: /notes/pace-layering/
5author:
6 - Stewart Brand
7tags:
8 - article
9 - seed
10---
11> I propose six significant levels of pace and size in the working structure of a robust and adaptable civilization. From fast to slow the levels are:
12>
13> - Fashion/art
14> - Commerce
15> - Infrastructure
16> - Governance
17> - Culture
18> - Nature
19
20> The order of a healthy civilization. The fast layers innovate; the slow layers stabilize. The whole combines learning with continuity.
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25> The idea of pace layering has a history. The text above is a slightly edited version of a chapter in my 1999 book _The Clock of the Long Now: Time and Responsibility._
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27## Resources
28
29Jolly Contrarian has a great [summary page for pace layering](https://jollycontrarian.com/index.php?title=Pace_layering).