I see the world in systems. Objects passing messages to each other. People passing messages to each other. The sun passing energy to plants passing signals throughout itself. Roots interacting with water and nutrients, and so on. The inputs and outputs can happen within a context - in this example, the roots and water interacting underground, beneath, or rather, in, soil.

Anyway, considering inputs and outputs to systems and and sub-systems is a valuable perspective when trying to understand systemic behavior and effects.

Context

input output -------> ------------->