Test Bed Loop

[From Kenny Kitzke (2004.01.24)]

I am excited by the idea of a Economy Test Bed model.

Am I correct that the proposed TB model is designed as a closed, negative feedback loop?

Is this just a model structure choice, or is it because the economy being modeled is clearly a closed loop?

My earliest recollection of PCTers discussing an economic model came from a presentation by Rick Marken at the Boston CSG meeting concerning an economic theory espoused by Bill Power’s father (TCP). One of the things I remember most about it was the concept of Leakage.

To this day, I find the idea of “leakage” and “closed loop” somewhat antithetical. Isn’t a closed loop one that has no leaks, and one with a leak an open loop? Or, is it like a tire with a nail that is supposed to be closed but slowly goes flat because it leaks?