The Systematic Takahina

What are systems?

Systems, as defined by Wikipedia, is as follows:

System (from Latin systēma, in turn from Greek σύστημα systēma, "whole compounded of several parts or members, system", literary "composition"[1]) is a set of interacting or interdependent entities forming an integrated whole.

A set of interacting or interdependent entities forming an integrated whole; that's a bit too confusing isn't it?

To Takahina, systems, are simply, the sequences, how it works, how it should work, the decision making process in it. And it occurs in everyone's everyday life. Or to put easier understanding for those who have played FF12; Gambits.

It's kinda like saying, if my weight is above 80kg, exercise everyday.

Hence so:

Weight > 80kg,

This is the decision making process.

Weight > 80kg, Exercise

This is how it works.

Weight > 80kg, Jog on Monday
Skipping rope on Tuesday
Swim on Wednesday
Cycling on Thursday
Gym on Friday
Dance on Saturday
Statics on Sunday

This is how it should work.

1. Weight > 80kg, Jog on Monday
Skipping rope on Tuesday
Swim on Wednesday
Cycling on Thursday
Gym on Friday
Dance on Saturday
Statics on Sunday

2. Meeting Friends - After exercise.

This is the sequence.

This is just an example of how people can work out their everyday life. To be frank I think gambit system of FF12 is very very accurate on the "system" which I mentioned about. Any other 1-off events/occurrence, you can activate yourself.

Now to the whole point of systems, is it really necessary for systems to be installed in our lives?

Up till now, our lives have been controlled by systems. This system is created and formed out of our surroundings and environment. For example, our family systems, our religious systems, our government systems, our education systems etc etc. These systems influence the way in which we move along in life. Imagine if you're an African, and not a Singaporean.

Singaporean normal education system:

Primary School
Secondary School
Tertiary Schools (poly, JCs)/ Skills Education (ITE, LaSalle, SOTA, Sports School)
Higher Education (Uni, higher levels)

African Education system:

They may not even have one!

Singapore Religious System:

Buddhist favorites among the older population.
Christians favorites among the younger population.
Taoist, only remembered for their gods.
Islam, majority of malays.
Hindu, majority of indians
Free Thinkers/non-stoic religious Singapore, the true religion of Singapore.

African Religious System:

45% of the population are Muslims, 40% are Christians and less than 15% continue to follow traditional African religions. (Taken from Wikipedia)

Singapore Law System:

The British Law Constituency with a little changes of our own to suit our culture.

African Law System:

Anglo-Dutch Law System with a mix of Ma'at (Ancient Egyptian Law) as precedents.

Sure, you may say that you're your own, and you're not controlled by systems, but that is a lie. Your whole life, as you're reading this is already controlled by systems, and this is unavoidable because systems affect every part of our life. If you're an African, you may not be able to understand my definition of Systems itself! If so, why do we struggle to deny the fact that we live amongst systems? Systems should be utilised and shaped to suit your own system; creation of systems, special to yourself, should be the issue and essence.

Systems change constantly, from the ancient empires to the current government to the local society, and these changes are created from people themselves. People change the systems to better suit the current condition and surroundings.

China used to have a Central Economy System, but now they are very much open to Free Market ideas to suit and benefit their country due to the propagating effects of globalisation and international pressure. That is a positive change of systems.

Japan constantly changing their government and political systems due to media and citizen pressure, (imagine changing your "Lee Xian Long" every 4 months, Singapore konfirm havoc), that is a negative change of systems.

Not just for major systems, but minor and mandune systems like me deciding from convert 50% of my surplus income to spending ALL surplus income on games, such changes are negative and effect YOUR everyday life. After all, it doesn't matter much whether we can effect the major systems, its your own system that matters, because in the end, you create your own system of life which is unique to your own. You can make out a system like:

1. Total Personal Income per Month < $500, Work

- Meaning if I have lesser than $500 per month income, I work.

2. Total Personal Income - Expenditure per Month > $0, Invest in Bonds.

- Meaning if I have any leftover money after spending, invest the rest in Bonds.


The thing is that it's unless whatever you can make out, and it need not be written out as if its your "law" in life. Systems are simple, and should flow easily, and can be uncomplicated.

1. Ask Girl A out. Go to step 2.
2. After asking Girl A out for a few times, confess. Go to step 3.
3. After successful confession and date for 3 years. Propose.

Of course the above example isn't good at all, but it's just an example of what systems you can employ.

However, not everything will flow along smoothly in the systems. There will be obstacles and problems coming out from all sorts of life, thus from there changes have to be made, and these changes has to be positive ones.

Take my company TNT Freight Services for example (I don't know if I'll get fired for writing this). Recently the system that we used to input data changed, to a supposedly more hi-tech and advanced. Systems upgrade, we hope it'll be good. But no, after a 2 weeks of using it, there were little good comments about it, and the whole department efficiency has dropped, due to the systems being laggy, overly detailed and buggy at times. Errors increased, Staff can't check data entered cause there was no time at all due to efficiency dropping, staff have to go home later, people quit due to fatigue and no-life. I can almost certify that the new system is killing the whole data entry department.

Firstly, there was no reasons given or explained to us whatsoever on why we had to have a change in systems. Secondly, the new systems has more cons than pros, you think staff will be happy? You think the company will gain from this new system? No you won't. This is a very negative change of systems, that has no explanation whatsoever.

I could say that Japan's PM keep changing, cause the media attacks the government too fiercely, so there's the reason for that change, media. But TNT didn't, or they didn't tell anyone about it, either they felt there was no need for it, or simply we part-timers are not worthy enough, I have no idea. So like what some famous guy had said and quoted:

"If it's not spoilt, don't fix it."

If there were changes needed to the systems, make sure the new system is either an on par system, if not an even better one to replace the old systems, if not systems will only hinder the path to your goal.

Goals?

What does systems gotta do with goals?

Systems are created for that 1 aim, to make things flow and eventually achieve something. I can say that goals are the "why", objectives are the "what", and systems are the "how".

If objectives and goals aren't achieved with your current system, you have gotta change your systems, so that goals and objectives can be achieved.

Example, something which almost every guy in Singapore hates, NS.

NS's goal: To deter enemies.
NS's objective: To have more people join the force to increase NS's strength
NS's system:

1. Increase pay accordingly until 70% of positions are filled

2. Make it easier for people to increase in rank until 85% of positions are filled.

3. Advertise NS on media until 90% of positions are filled.


If still no one is joining NS for some reason, they have gotta go into deeper means, maybe increase pay even more? Advertise even more to even schools and institutions? Ways as such.

The thing is that systems take time to show effect, so people may think that a new system sucks, so they change it time and time again. The Japan PM is once again another very good example, of how the people are not giving the new government system time to settle in and carry on their objectives and goals. My exercise system will need time to show it's effect too, at least I'm maintaining my weight now... I hope :/

Then again, you may say that there is no need for systems, the "how", could be done via "free will", as in you do whatever you wanna do, at whatever time you wanna do it, in a total random manner. Naturally it's up to the person himself to choose however he wanna do it, but the lack of a system will only create an untidy and undisciplined situation that hinders the path to your goal.

You play fighting games like Street Fighter, ever wondered why some computers are so damn good, and at the same time, wondered why top human players are definitely better than the computer?

Computer AI is made up of systems which dictate how they move, attack, and counter. So in a sense computer is almost a series of standard systems that counter your every move.

Then how do human players defeat such systems? They just create a more effective system.



Look at how Daigo plays, he plays via pressuring, and mind-gaming the opponent into making mistake, and then attacking back with a combo. Retreat, and repeat the whole process again. Naturally every player has their own play style, but these play styles, inevitably are systems of how they react to opponents. Computers are unable to change the system, so top players will always win the computers AI, since they already have a more efficient system in place that counters computers.

Hence, you can move on without a system to achieve whatever you want to achieve, but it takes longer time, more luck, more capital involved etc etc.

In the end, it's not about defeating the system, it's about modifying the system to achieve what you want and need. To achieve your goals and objectives, the system HAS TO BE THERE. Taking out systems, will only lead to nowhere, with the "why" and "what" there, but no "how".

If you hate the "reality" system, just bend it to however you want it to flow. That's all.