I'm looking for a name for a phenomenon.
Whenever systems are first made/set up, they often start off working well and then slowly settle into a state of decay.
e.g.
- an office space that starts off clean, tidy and organised but gradually becomes dusty, cluttered and disorganised.
- a car that starts off shiny and smooth-running slowly succumbs to weather and engine wear.
- a business or government department starts off energetic and productive but develops redundant bureaucracy, resource shortages or poor service delivery.
It kinda looks like entropy, and like entropy, its effects can be reversed when people put in energy to restore order, cleanliness, purpose etc.
I would like a name for this phenomenon so I can point it out whenever people incorrectly assume that these systems should keep working without ongoing rejuvenation.
Any ideas? Does this concept even make sense?
Whenever systems are first made/set up, they often start off working well and then slowly settle into a state of decay.
e.g.
- an office space that starts off clean, tidy and organised but gradually becomes dusty, cluttered and disorganised.
- a car that starts off shiny and smooth-running slowly succumbs to weather and engine wear.
- a business or government department starts off energetic and productive but develops redundant bureaucracy, resource shortages or poor service delivery.
It kinda looks like entropy, and like entropy, its effects can be reversed when people put in energy to restore order, cleanliness, purpose etc.
I would like a name for this phenomenon so I can point it out whenever people incorrectly assume that these systems should keep working without ongoing rejuvenation.
Any ideas? Does this concept even make sense?