Beguiling Events
A system is a big black box Of which we can’t unlock the locks, And all we can find out about Is what goes in and what comes out. Perceiving input-output pairs, Related by parameters, Permits us, sometimes, to relate An input, output, and state. If this relation’s good and stable Then to predict we may be able, But if this fails us — heaven forbid! We’ll be compelled to force the lid!
- Kenneth Boulding, economist