Poole defines meaningfulness as one component of a larger definition of agency. He situates this definition as part of a larger discussion of a typology of different systems approaches, in which agency is one factor. Agency in general is distinguished on a continuum where it seems to be a matter of “the degree to which they realize the characteristics of agency” (58).  In that sense, though he distinguishes between different theories of systems in their perception of agency of actors within the system (from determined systems to self-aware systems), his definition of meaningfulness is framed not as a decision by the researcher, but as more embedded in the system itself, as a process of interpretation by the actor. Meaningfulness, as a distinguishing factor of high agency systems, requires “actors [to] consider the past, present, and future and the degree of emphasis placed on the deliberative problem-solving process and reflexive monitoring,” (58)

For me, this begs the question of defining agency. If my understanding of systems is largely determined, am I concerned with to what degree agents perceive their own agency? Is there possibility for high agency perception in a determined system, and what are the implications of this critically?

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