Feedback loops can stabilize or amplify a system
Negative feedback pushes a system back toward a target, while positive feedback amplifies change.
Takeaway
To understand a system's behavior, look for what the output changes about the next input.
What I learned
A feedback loop happens when a system's output influences its future input. Negative feedback tends to reduce deviation, while positive feedback tends to amplify it.
Example
A thermostat is a negative feedback system. When the room gets too cold, heat turns on; when it gets warm enough, heat turns off.
Why it matters
Feedback loops appear in machines, biology, markets, habits, and social systems. The important question is whether the loop dampens change or compounds it.