Why I Go — And Why You Should Too
- Paco Araujo
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
A Love Letter to the International System Dynamics Conference (from a Vexed World-Builder)
Every year, I pause.
Not to retreat, but to assemble.
Because while the world spins faster — through climate shocks, water crises, misinformation, polarization, supply chain cracks, and rising inequality — I believe there are people who are still trying to understand the whole picture.Still trying to connect the dots.Still trying to change the system.
And once a year, they gather.
At the International System Dynamics Conference.
That’s why I go.
And if you’re reading this, maybe it’s why you should go too.
No, it’s not a Marvel movie.
But in my mind, it’s the closest thing we’ve got.
It’s the Avengers of Complexity coming together. The System Dynamicists — the ones who model the mess, map the loops, test futures, and challenge the myths that hold our systems together.
Some wield feedback loops like Captain America wields his shield — grounded, strong, and guided by values. Some build simulations like Iron Man builds tech — elegant, powerful, and a little mind-blowing. Others scan scenarios like Doctor Strange — running models across timelines, trying to find the one future where we actually win. Some are Spider-man— clever, full of heart, webbing ideas across fields and generations.
And then there are the unsung heroes. The quiet system thinkers.The educators.The policy shapers.The students who are just discovering their power.
But here’s the thing: I don’t go to be a spectator.
I go because I build something new for it — every single time.
A paper. A workshop. A prototype. A virtual experience.I don’t submit old work. I create in honor of the gathering. I see the conference not as a place to perform, but a place to experiment, to test, to connect.
If what I send isn’t accepted, I don’t go. Not because I’m proud — but because I care.Because contributing is my way of respecting the space.
And after five years of being accepted and attending, I’m still filled with gratitude every time. To be in the room. To be part of the conversation. To share an idea and have someone say, “I’ve been thinking about this too.”
So, why should you go?
Because you’re probably vexed too. Because you see the cracks and want to do more than patch them. Because you know the world is not just a collection of symptoms — it’s a system. And you want to learn how to see it, shape it, and maybe even help it heal.
Because you want to be around people who don’t shy away from complexity —They dive into it. They build flight simulators for public policy. They teach climate dynamics through stories. They explore tipping points and leverage points and delays and feedback and nonlinearities — not to feel smart, but to create useful tools for change.
And maybe — just maybe — because deep down, you believe what Stan Lee once said:
“The person who helps others simply because it should or must be done, and because it is the right thing to do, is indeed without a doubt, a real superhero.”
You don’t have to wear a cape.
You don’t need a PhD.
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You just need to care enough to show up — and bring something with you.
This year’s gathering? The 43rd International System Dynamics Conference will be held in Boston, August 3–7, 2025. A city of revolutions, a perfect backdrop for systems thinking that challenges the status quo.
This is why I go.
And I hope this year, you’ll assemble too.
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