In episode 5 of The Hidden Joule, we chat with Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed, Ph.D on systems analysis, availability of natural resources and its role in wellbeing of economies. Specifically, the interconnectedness of environmental systems and social systems and the relationship between the two in terms of rise of violence.  We dig into both value creation and value destruction from the perspective of natural resources/social systems with Syria and rise of ISIS as an example. We close with how this is applied to understanding energy and BioPhysical Systems.