Supporting Change

The next two levels of this 7-level hierarchy enable the continuance of the entity, either directly supporting actual changes or generating changes that are needed for continuity.

L4: Sustenance

L5: Adaptation

Sustenance:  Level-4 Change

Sustenance is proposed as the formal name for the Level 4 category in Change PH3. It appears to be:

• the only basis for a continued existence;
• what is often taken for granted in the heat of a change.

There does not appear to be a suitable alternate name.
Synonyms include: perpetuation, continuance, preservation, extension, propagation. However, each of these terms has implications that are not helpful for the present use.

Function. Sustenance entails providing whatever is required for a state to continue to exist.

Essence: Sustenance is the foundation for both continuity and change.

Pressure:  If the analysis in the Architecture Room is correct, sustenance is primarily influenced by the well-being pressure emerging from RL4-Experience.

Result: The continuous existence of a given state trajectory.

Use: Sustenance is activated whenever there is an actual or threatened loss of a resource required by the entity.

Preoccupation: How to handle emerging demands on an existing state.

Hope: For resource availability in abundance.

Fear: Depletion of resources or uncontrolled increase in stressors.

Failure: If sustenance cannot be ensured when necessary, the entity is in a state of deprivation. Relevant change cannot be sustained and the entity's condition will deteriorate.

Responses: Positive is appreciation for the provision of resources. Negative is doubt that this provision is worthwhile.

Adaptation:  Level-5 Change

Adaptation is proposed as the formal name for the Level 5 category in Change PH3. It appears to be:

• the consequence of existing in an environment that cannot be controlled;
• a dynamic process of fitting the environment that enables natural selection.

There does not appear to be a suitable alternate name.
Synonyms include: preservation, maintenance, continuance, substitution, re-modelling, exchange, conformity. However, each of these terms has implications that are not helpful for the present use.

Function. Adaptation entails fitting in with uncontrollable events within or without to enable the entity to exist in its environment.

Essence: Adaptation is about the control of unmanageable and potentially destructive forces through self-adjustment. The entity's alternative and preferred control method is regulation—in which case the environment must adapt so that the entity can remain unchanged.

Pressure:  If the analysis in the Architecture Room is correct, adaptation is primarily influenced by the understanding pressure emerging from RL5-Communication.

Result: A new sustainable equilibrium within and coexistence without.

Use: Adaptation is activated by the impingement of potentially destructive forces.

Preoccupation: Omnipresence of pressures and stressors internally and externally that might threaten integrity and continuance.

Hope: For sufficient resilience and adaptability.

Fear: Becoming overwhelmed and disintegrating.

Failure: If adaptation does not occur when necessary, the entity will be damaged or even destroyed.

Responses: Positive is relief that the threat is averted. Negative is dissatisfaction with the outcome.

---

Anything more sophisticated that adaptation demands modelling of the entity's present and future states.

• Continue to levels that guide change.

Originally posted: 30-May-2024.