# Jay Forrester

**URL:** <http://discourse.iapct.org/t/jay-forrester/5930>\
**Category:** CSG2016\
**Created:** [November 18, 2016, 6:05pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/jay-forrester/5930 "2016-11-18T18:05:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![FredNickols](http://discourse.iapct.org/user_avatar/discourse.iapct.org/frednickols/32/2645_2.png) [@FredNickols](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/FredNickols)\
**Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 6:05pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/jay-forrester/5930/1 "2016-11-18T18:05:53Z")

</div>

Jay Forrester has passed away. He was 98. Here’s a snippet from a notice I received from the Systems Dynamics Society.

It is with great sadness that we are writing to you to announce that Jay W. Forrester, Professor of Management Emeritus at MIT, has died at the age of 98.

A full obituary is now available in the [New York Times](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nytimes.com_2016_11_18_technology_jay-2Dforrester-2Ddead.html-3Fmwrsm&d=DQMFAg&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=wLhZGiTPV-acoc_3g8oFQOCvKRQZglrfyd6dqDLFx0E&s=GzlISzptafNlojA4DrCe91x5hjuw7bPyA50zsVSs3nU&e=). Further information is available via the System Dynamics Society [homepage](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.systemdynamics.org_&d=DQMFAg&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=wLhZGiTPV-acoc_3g8oFQOCvKRQZglrfyd6dqDLFx0E&s=hs2eNm1uRW8iRVn1nOuqDgkWL2z9dgMjDQEDar7yLSQ&e=).

Regards,

Fred Nickols

Knowledge Worker

_My Objective is to Help You Achieve Yours_

[Knowledge Workers’ Tool Room](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nickols.us_toolroom.html&d=DQMFAg&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=wLhZGiTPV-acoc_3g8oFQOCvKRQZglrfyd6dqDLFx0E&s=zaWJ9DYSCtzbe5pGuFfkcRs1KjXNByzbnHyyJiQ5eOE&e=)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wmansell](http://discourse.iapct.org/user_avatar/discourse.iapct.org/wmansell/32/36_2.png) [@wmansell](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/wmansell)\
**Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/jay-forrester/5930/2 "2016-11-18T21:35:53Z")

</div>

Thanks Fred, looking at that obituary, his path from electric systems to feedback control to human systems bears a striking resemblance to Bill’s…

Warren

> **···**
>
> On Friday, November 18, 2016, Fred Nickols [fred@nickols.us](mailto:fred@nickols.us) wrote:
> 
> > Jay Forrester has passed away. He was 98. Here’s a snippet from a notice I received from the Systems Dynamics Society.
> 
> > 
> 
> > It is with great sadness that we are writing to you to announce that Jay W. Forrester, Professor of Management Emeritus at MIT, has died at the age of 98.
> > 
> > A full obituary is now available in the [New York Times](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nytimes.com_2016_11_18_technology_jay-2Dforrester-2Ddead.html-3Fmwrsm&d=DQMFAg&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=wLhZGiTPV-acoc_3g8oFQOCvKRQZglrfyd6dqDLFx0E&s=GzlISzptafNlojA4DrCe91x5hjuw7bPyA50zsVSs3nU&e=). Further information is available via the System Dynamics Society [homepage](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.systemdynamics.org_&d=DQMFAg&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=wLhZGiTPV-acoc_3g8oFQOCvKRQZglrfyd6dqDLFx0E&s=hs2eNm1uRW8iRVn1nOuqDgkWL2z9dgMjDQEDar7yLSQ&e=).
> 
> > 
> 
> > Regards,
> 
> > 
> 
> > Fred Nickols
> 
> > Knowledge Worker
> 
> > _My Objective is to Help You Achieve Yours_
> 
> > [Knowledge Workers’ Tool Room](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nickols.us_toolroom.html&d=DQMFAg&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=wLhZGiTPV-acoc_3g8oFQOCvKRQZglrfyd6dqDLFx0E&s=zaWJ9DYSCtzbe5pGuFfkcRs1KjXNByzbnHyyJiQ5eOE&e=)
> 
> > 
> 
> –  
> Dr Warren Mansell  
> Reader in Clinical Psychology
> 
> School of Health Sciences  
> 2nd Floor Zochonis Building  
> University of Manchester  
> Oxford Road  
> Manchester M13 9PL  
> Email: [warren.mansell@manchester.ac.uk](mailto:warren.mansell@manchester.ac.uk)
> 
> Tel: +44 (0) 161 275 8589
> 
> Website: [http://www.psych-sci.manchester.ac.uk/staff/131406](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.psych-2Dsci.manchester.ac.uk_staff_131406&d=DQMFaQ&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=BXhppNPchqD4oLZpSP2-3IfdZfgGfL8Lef9B82Ts9Q8&s=4bnH4SzmC12gxcJmDkcFMd4CGyl5qO9bdmr87-FKdoA&e=)
> 
> Advanced notice of a new transdiagnostic therapy manual, authored by Carey, Mansell & Tai - [Principles-Based Counselling and Psychotherapy: A Method of Levels Approach](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.routledge.com_books_details_9780415738781_&d=DQMFaQ&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=BXhppNPchqD4oLZpSP2-3IfdZfgGfL8Lef9B82Ts9Q8&s=wwk3ruit-JsvefOQeUW2bjeSgjT1HWYPRIdGa21UB2Y&e=)
> 
> Available Now
> 
> Check [www.pctweb.org](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.pctweb.org&d=DQMFaQ&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=BXhppNPchqD4oLZpSP2-3IfdZfgGfL8Lef9B82Ts9Q8&s=99R70uR5c10aNEdI5o05ZNr6XXc0tTw4FWg7GT3CeM8&e=) for further information on Perceptual Control Theory

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![FredNickols](http://discourse.iapct.org/user_avatar/discourse.iapct.org/frednickols/32/2645_2.png) [@FredNickols](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/FredNickols)\
**Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 9:45pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/jay-forrester/5930/3 "2016-11-18T21:45:37Z")

</div>

They had much in common.

Fred Nickols, CPT

Writer & Consultant

**[DISTANCE CONSULTING LLC](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nickols.us_&d=DQMFaQ&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=Oc9Vli4FNZ9kpIOtATHCV_VvL-Ncq9dw4ZT0GNeaKwY&s=iUM4hnXr36VexcnAi06cBl-cA6WQg6GjHRcD-Vp_0ko&e=)**

_“Assistance at a Distance”_

[View My Books on Amazon](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.amazon.com_author_frednickols&d=DQMFaQ&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=Oc9Vli4FNZ9kpIOtATHCV_VvL-Ncq9dw4ZT0GNeaKwY&s=ZEP_dxhdXI3WnoLOKzPoS9WJIHBbJkeX6fIudVvxfBY&e=)

> **···**
>
> Sent from my iPad
> 
> On Nov 18, 2016, at 4:35 PM, Warren Mansell [wmansell@gmail.com](mailto:wmansell@gmail.com) wrote:
> 
> > Thanks Fred, looking at that obituary, his path from electric systems to feedback control to human systems bears a striking resemblance to Bill’s…  
> > Warren
> 
> > On Friday, November 18, 2016, Fred Nickols [fred@nickols.us](mailto:fred@nickols.us) wrote:
> > 
> > > Jay Forrester has passed away. He was 98. Here’s a snippet from a notice I received from the Systems Dynamics Society.
> 
> > >
> 
> > > It is with great sadness that we are writing to you to announce that Jay W. Forrester, Professor of Management Emeritus at MIT, has died at the age of 98.
> > > 
> > > A full obituary is now available in the [New York Times](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nytimes.com_2016_11_18_technology_jay-2Dforrester-2Ddead.html-3Fmwrsm&d=DQMFAg&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=wLhZGiTPV-acoc_3g8oFQOCvKRQZglrfyd6dqDLFx0E&s=GzlISzptafNlojA4DrCe91x5hjuw7bPyA50zsVSs3nU&e=). Further information is available via the System Dynamics Society [homepage](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.systemdynamics.org_&d=DQMFAg&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=wLhZGiTPV-acoc_3g8oFQOCvKRQZglrfyd6dqDLFx0E&s=hs2eNm1uRW8iRVn1nOuqDgkWL2z9dgMjDQEDar7yLSQ&e=).
> 
> > >
> 
> > > Regards,
> 
> > >
> 
> > > Fred Nickols
> 
> > > Knowledge Worker
> 
> > > _My Objective is to Help You Achieve Yours_
> 
> > > [Knowledge Workers’ Tool Room](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nickols.us_toolroom.html&d=DQMFAg&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=wLhZGiTPV-acoc_3g8oFQOCvKRQZglrfyd6dqDLFx0E&s=zaWJ9DYSCtzbe5pGuFfkcRs1KjXNByzbnHyyJiQ5eOE&e=)
> 
> > >
> 
> > –  
> > Dr Warren Mansell  
> > Reader in Clinical Psychology
> 
> > School of Health Sciences  
> > 2nd Floor Zochonis Building  
> > University of Manchester  
> > Oxford Road  
> > Manchester M13 9PL  
> > Email: [warren.mansell@manchester.ac.uk](mailto:warren.mansell@manchester.ac.uk)
> > 
> > Tel: +44 (0) 161 275 8589
> > 
> > Website: [http://www.psych-sci.manchester.ac.uk/staff/131406](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.psych-2Dsci.manchester.ac.uk_staff_131406&d=DQMFaQ&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=BXhppNPchqD4oLZpSP2-3IfdZfgGfL8Lef9B82Ts9Q8&s=4bnH4SzmC12gxcJmDkcFMd4CGyl5qO9bdmr87-FKdoA&e=)
> > 
> > Advanced notice of a new transdiagnostic therapy manual, authored by Carey, Mansell & Tai - [Principles-Based Counselling and Psychotherapy: A Method of Levels Approach](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.routledge.com_books_details_9780415738781_&d=DQMFaQ&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=BXhppNPchqD4oLZpSP2-3IfdZfgGfL8Lef9B82Ts9Q8&s=wwk3ruit-JsvefOQeUW2bjeSgjT1HWYPRIdGa21UB2Y&e=)
> 
> > Available Now
> 
> > Check [www.pctweb.org](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.pctweb.org&d=DQMFaQ&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=BXhppNPchqD4oLZpSP2-3IfdZfgGfL8Lef9B82Ts9Q8&s=99R70uR5c10aNEdI5o05ZNr6XXc0tTw4FWg7GT3CeM8&e=) for further information on Perceptual Control Theory
> > 
> > ![]()
> 
> > 
> 
> >

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Abbott](http://discourse.iapct.org/user_avatar/discourse.iapct.org/abbott/32/2879_2.png) [@Abbott](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/Abbott)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/jay-forrester/5930/4 "2016-11-19T19:15:17Z")

</div>

[From Bruce Abbott (2016.11.19.1415 EST)]

My thanks to Chad and Fred for providing the notice of Jay W. Forrester’s death. I have two of Forrester’s books on my bookshelf: _Industrial Dynamics_ (1962) and a “second preliminary edition” of _Principles of Systems_ (1968, 1973). Those books contain a lot of useful information about modeling dynamic systems (which includes control systems) in terms of “levels” and “flows.” Levels are accumulations, like the level of water in a tank to which water is being added, and flows are the rates of input or output to/from levels. Together with “sources” and “sinks,” the lines connecting the elements, and “valves” that alter the flow rates, these elements are sufficient to build dynamic systems of considerable complexity.

These elements are employed in an application called “Vensim,” which provides a graphical user interface onto which one can plunk down the various elements as graphic icons and connect them to form the system being modeled. After adding parameters and functions to the elements, you can run the model and see how it behaves.

Some years ago, Fred Nickols distributed a limited number of copies of Vensim free of charge and I was one of those who received one, which I still have installed on my old laptop. When fitting parameters to a control-system model, Bill Powers found that Vensim did a better job of fitting than the simple method he used for this purpose in his programs.

Ventana Systems, the maker of Vensim, is offering a home version (Vensim PLE) for $50 and a more capable but still limited version for $169. Through December they are also offering a 20% discount, so any modelers out there might want to take advantage of this low pricing while it lasts.

Bruce

[From Chad Green (2016.11.18.0911 EDT)]

Jay W. Forrester Dies at 98; a Pioneer in Computer Models

[http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/11/18/technology/jay-forrester-dead.html](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__mobile.nytimes.com_2016_11_18_technology_jay-2Dforrester-2Ddead.html&d=DQMFAg&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=pDXyNRaJYX1e98FkLN56KotJOinZo-SY9h9mCv1OAGc&s=ZFlSrxztHBLZKaZe91sZA8ZK3gNKsvYaRumbPx0nV-E&e=)

> **···**
>
> **From:** Fred Nickols [[mailto:fred@nickols.us](mailto:fred@nickols.us)]  
> **Sent:** Friday, November 18, 2016 1:06 PM  
> **To:** csgnet@lists.illinois.edu  
> **Subject:** Jay Forrester
> 
> Jay Forrester has passed away. He was 98. Here’s a snippet from a notice I received from the Systems Dynamics Society.
> 
> It is with great sadness that we are writing to you to announce that Jay W. Forrester, Professor of Management Emeritus at MIT, has died at the age of 98.
> 
> A full obituary is now available in the [New York Times](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nytimes.com_2016_11_18_technology_jay-2Dforrester-2Ddead.html-3Fmwrsm&d=DQMFAg&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=wLhZGiTPV-acoc_3g8oFQOCvKRQZglrfyd6dqDLFx0E&s=GzlISzptafNlojA4DrCe91x5hjuw7bPyA50zsVSs3nU&e=). Further information is available via the System Dynamics Society [homepage](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.systemdynamics.org_&d=DQMFAg&c=8hUWFZcy2Z-Za5rBPlktOQ&r=-dJBNItYEMOLt6aj_KjGi2LMO_Q8QB-ZzxIZIF8DGyQ&m=wLhZGiTPV-acoc_3g8oFQOCvKRQZglrfyd6dqDLFx0E&s=hs2eNm1uRW8iRVn1nOuqDgkWL2z9dgMjDQEDar7yLSQ&e=).