Experiment With Us: Rebuilding the Mayan Collapse in Symlin

The Classic Maya Collapse, The World Encyclopedia.

What causes a civilization to collapse?

That question was asked decades ago by Jay W. Forrester, father of System Dynamics. His answer wasn’t just historical—it was structural. Using only two stocks, Forrester showed how population pressure and environmental degradation created a self-reinforcing collapse in the Mayan world.

This month, we invite you to rebuild that model using Symlin, an open web-based simulation tool that’s perfect for visualizing feedback systems.

Don’t worry—we’re not throwing you into the jungle without a map. We’ve prepared a Scribe PDF walkthrough to guide you step-by-step through building the entire model.

The System: Two Stocks, Many Lessons

You’ll be modeling:

• Population

• State of Environment

Alongside supporting variables like:

• birth fraction, death fraction

• damage fraction, regeneration time

• density, land area, effect of environment on death fraction

These variables interact in reinforcing and balancing feedback loops that demonstrate overshoot and collapse—classic archetypes found in today’s world too.

What’s in the Scribe PDF?

Inside the Scribe Walkthrough PDF, you’ll find:

1. Clean diagrams of each modeling step

2. Plain English explanations of every variable

3. Links to the original Forrester memo (D-4480)

4. Hints and prompts to help you think structurally

5. A challenge prompt to extend or localize the model

Use the guide at your own pace. It’s designed for beginners, educators, and experienced modelers alike.

Reflection: Modeling Ancient Futures

As you build the model, consider:

• How does delayed feedback influence collapse?

• What modern systems resemble this dynamic?

• Can regeneration win over destruction if we act early?

Modeling the Mayan system is not about looking back in pity—it’s about seeing forward with clarity.

How to Get the Guide

Click here to download the Scribe PDF.

Once you've built your model, share a screenshot or a Symlin link using the hashtag #SystemsUnderFire. Your build may be featured in the next issue.