Feedback Does Not Automatically Produce Stability

Feedback means using an outcome to influence future input, but the presence of a feedback loop does not guarantee graceful stability. Direction, gain, and delay all matter. Having control is not the same as controlling successfully.

Imagine a simple temperature controller whose measurement arrives late. It may continue correcting an old state for too long, then overcorrect in the opposite direction. Delay between action and observation can create oscillation.

Living systems should not be treated as identical to one simple engineered controller. Many interacting processes operate at once. Still, questions about delay and feedback relationships can be useful as long as the level of the analogy stays explicit.

I do not think stability always means sitting perfectly still. Many systems remain within a useful range through continuous small adjustments. The apparent calm can depend on constant activity underneath, and that is part of what makes feedback so interesting.

Source: official reference.