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[X] The Maw

The Maw is a problem of unsustainable super-consumption created by the disconnection of Alphas and Betas in systems. Most systems that grow have a direct, cyclical relationship between forces of push and order (Alpha) and forces of pull and entropy (Beta). Some systems, however, grow in an unbounded way, temporarily escaping the direct relationship between Alpha and Beta. This leads to super-linear consumption, an exponential growth curve, and shrinking intervals of extremely rapid growth, followed by collapse and reorganization (or innovation) until eventually a singularity is reached where further innovation becomes impossible.

Bad-Shaped Growth

Max Kleiber discovered similar animals use proportionately less energy the larger their body mass. This is an example of sub-linear consumption known as Kleiber’s Law.
Sub-linear consumption leads to a sustainable sigmoidal growth curve where growth balances with environmental carrying capacity. Super-linear consumption, on the other hand leads to exponential growth. (MatcMath.org)
Exponential growth curves create unsustainable consumption that leads to collapse. Only innovation saves the system, but each cycle of innovation saves the system for a shorter interval of time. (Geoffrey West)

Dynamics

Almost all growth in this shape is based on technology and thus this shape didn’t strongly manifest in society until the Modern Era. Because this shape is built from technology in a typically Modern-industrial formulation, it suffers from the core issue of The Technology Problem: the systematic divorce of Alpha and Beta leading to a buildup of various forms of exponentially-growing systematic debt (ESD).

This is inherent in the meaning of technological efficiency in industrialism: a mechanistic model is used instead of an organic model to achieve the most benefit/work at the lowest possible cost. This requires a filter or gate in the system that limits the Beta-feedback loop — a limit on costs the system is willing to pay.

This means the system actually has a false beta — a minimal cost it is willing to pay, rather than a cost that is should rightfully pay. The balance of this cost is forced on other systems and other people in the form of social, ecological, economic, etc. ESD.

Growth in this shape is often due to the Carts Before Horses error in systems design, building, and maintenance.

Mythos

[The Heart of the Lord’s Prayer]

Meta

The Maw is named for the black hole gravity well of the same name in the Akkedese Maelstrom, from which Han Solo and his crew barely escape in the Millennium Falcon in the movie Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018).