David Hawk's new book, Human Nature and the Potential in Nurture, investigates the interplay between human systems, industrial development, and environmental conditions. Drawing from decades of research and professional experience, the publication examines how technological advancement and institutional structures have reshaped interactions between society and the natural world.
The book is rooted in Hawk's doctoral research in systems sciences and incorporates findings from collaborations with businesses, governments, and academic institutions. It explores how industrial development transformed essential systems such as shelter, food, and transportation, creating what Hawk describes as an expanding 'science of the artificial.' This transition from naturally occurring systems to increasingly engineered environments is a central focus, analyzing how industrialization changed resource organization, behavior regulation, and ecological interaction.
By applying systems-thinking principles, Hawk investigates how institutions manage complexity and how their approaches affect social and environmental outcomes. The analysis spans planning, management, engineering, policy, and organizational development. Hawk noted, 'The research sought to understand how human-created systems emerged, how they evolved, and how they influence relationships between society and the environment.'
Hawk's background includes growing up on an Iowa farm, followed by education in engineering, city planning, and corporate planning. His professional experience includes service in Vietnam, urban planning projects in Europe and North America, and academic appointments across several countries. He has contributed to educational programs in engineering, business management, architecture, planning, leadership, and public policy, as well as doctoral-level institutes for executive education.
Human Nature and the Potential in Nurture is available through major online booksellers in print and digital formats. For more information, visit Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or Walmart.
