General convergence can be described as the tendency for systems, no matter what their initial start conditions, to achieve a stable state of dynamic equilibrium. In a meta-systems framework, general convergence describes the trend for alternative systems to search and explore their environment and to achieve an optimal complex solution state relative to their environment. More loosely, we can describe convergence as the "coming together" of the diverse components to achieve an integrated "system" state. Diverse factors of a multi-factor system "converge" upon a common arrangement that constitutes a "complex solution set" for the problem implicit to the system in the first place. A problem intrinsic to all kinds of systems is that of achieving the most efficient self-organization possible based upon dynamic environmental feedback mechanisms and given the built-in constraints and limitations of the components used to configure the system.

Applied systems and meta-systems development tend toward general convergence upon the functional designs that represent the most optimal solution sets for complex problems. In terms of product development and technology that we are familiar with, we can refer to this process of developmental convergence as one of "streamlining." Functional streamlining is found in nature in evolutionary development of especially mechanical designs of body and tissue, for as blind as evolution may really be, it nevertheless represents a form of search-solution leading to "intelligent designs." The streamlining of birds in flight is a fitting example of how evolution has managed to solve complex problems in a blind albeit productive manner. Even if evolutionary development is fundamentally blind and random in the chance occurrence of mutation, selection of alternative variation does occur on a somewhat continuous basis, and this is enough to drive the search for convergent functional solutions to complex problem sets. I would call these complex solutions "convergent designs."

I bring up the notion of general convergence in part because I have been seeing a lot of it happening lately, both in relation to my own applied meta-systems framework and in relation to kinds of possible alternative solutions that I have been seeking in key problem areas. The kind of convergence that has been occurring in relation to my own meta-system framework is interesting to observe and think about as a kind of phenomenon.  I have come to realize and recognize its importance and its implications when it occurs. I take this phenomenon of convergence as symptomatic that a system is emerging and developing, and that the integration of the system is developing in some direction.

I think our notion of "progress" in a technological sense at least hinges on this idea of convergence and streamlining. Problem sets we have to deal with in the larger scheme of things are simply to multi-factorial and complex to find simple, single solutions. There are always trade-offs and other limitations which prevent us from facile discovery of the best or most straight-forward solution. So we work with a vague sense of "improvement" toward some vague and complex set of standards, themselves only half defined, with the idea that in the long run we are not just waiting for Godot but are actually achieving some kind of significant progress.

To put it another way, evidence of "convergence" however vague this may be is a signal that something is "happening" that is interesting from a systems perspective. We assume that where we find convergence of patterning in reality, we find something that may be interesting to consider and deal with and possibly even study. There are all kinds of convergences in the world to study. What can we say about people around the world who awaken with the same dream only to discover that the events of their dreams came true in some obscure corner of the world? We can dismiss it as para-scientific poppycock, but if such convergences do seem to occur, and are empirically documented, the problem of their sufficient accounting still remains to be resolved.

To summarize, I would claim that "convergence" is a general systems property that is indicative of the emergent integration and integrative patterning characteristic of a complex system. Convergence of many factors must occur on different levels if a system is to emerge and exhibit the kind of equi-finality and equilibrium of property that we come to associate with systems.