link: https://jods.mitpress.mit.edu/pub/issue3-brand/release/2 title: "Pace Layering: How Complex Systems Learn and Keep Learning" permalink: /notes/pace-layering/ author:

• Stewart Brand tags:
• article
• seed

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:

• Fashion/art
• Commerce
• Infrastructure
• Governance
• Culture
• Nature

The order of a healthy civilization. The fast layers innovate; the slow layers stabilize. The whole combines learning with continuity.

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.

Resources#

Jolly Contrarian has a great summary page for pace layering.