In complex systems, cause (action taken) and effect
(impact on people, nature, environment, product quality...) are often separated in time (sometimes years) and across space (different
location).
Intervening in a system (cause)
often results in unintended consequences or effects not anticipated. Since the person or organization taking action usually intends to gain some benefit from their action, there is often great resistance to acknowledging that something is amiss.
Here's a perfect example of cause and effect in a complex system with unintended consequences:
Farmers Cope With Roundup-Resistant Weeds
It is easy to point at them (Monsanto for example, or the farmers) and shake our heads in dismay.
We are living in a special time when we can do more with technology then ever before. And, because of technology including our ability to collect data and communicate, we are seeing the effects of what we do. We are no longer innocent but we are still young in our understanding of what it means to live and work in complex systems.
We read almost everyday the story of someone, some company or some government agency faced with the choice of what to do when the feedback loop says "oops, here's an effect we didn't expect." There is no blame but there is responsibility. At times like these we need the morale courage to think about the well-being of the whole, not just the short term impact on the part that is "us". It is getting harder to ignore the fact we are interdependent in so many ways.
"Them" and "us" - it is our future together.