Polytely (from Greek roots poly- and -tel- meaning "many goals") can be described as complex problem-solving situations characterized by the presence of multiple simultaneous goals. These goals may be contradictory or otherwise conflict with one another, requiring prioritisation of desired outcomes.
Polytely is a feature of complex problem-solving that adds difficulty to finding an optimum solution. Funke describes polytely as a feature "not... inherent in a system, but [referring] to certain decisions of the experimenter", especially decisions relating to what goals are to be followed in solving the problem. In the complex problem of nuclear waste disposal, Flüeler cites both trust between states (as a factor in nuclear proliferation: "Some states disarm whilst others re-arm – both do it for the sake of our planet's peace"), and safe and sustainable disposal of nuclear waste as situations where considering in terms of polytely helps elaborate and then balance important but conflicting goals.
When I was a small boy
Here in London town
Seasons snow was falling on the ground
All the friends and family
Here on Christmas Eve
Gather round to dress
The Christmas tree
But daddy's down at the pub
Full of Christmas cheer
Probably won't come home
Until next year
Oh the Christmas bells are ringing
And the carolers are singing
But Daddy, he don't hear 'em
He's yellin' at the Christmas tree
Santa's balls are jingling
Mommy's hips a-wiggling
But Daddy, he don't hear 'em
He's yellin, he's yellin'
At the Christmas tree
All right now yeah...
Uncle is a sports fan
Granny likes a joke
But no one laughs when
Daddy's stumbles home
But he don't fall asleep
Wah! The night was getting black
You see, oh God,
Dad had too much Jack
Oh Lord!
Every year is the same old thing
Like Rudolph's red nose
Telling this story will never get old
Oh the Christmas bells are ringing
And the carolers are singing
But Daddy, he don't hear 'em
He's yellin' at the Christmas tree
Santa's balls are jingling
Mommy's hips a-wiggling
But Daddy, he don't hear 'em
He's yellin, he's yellin'
At the Christmas tree
Well alright now yeah...
Well alright now...
Yellin' at the Christmas tree
Santa came down the chimney
But then he ran upstairs
Jumped in bed with Mommy
She didn't care
Across the room went the fruitcakes
Ah, the wreath came off the door
If these are holidays I can take no more
Every year it's the same old thing
Like Rudolph's red nose
Hearing this story will never get old
Oh the Christmas bells are ringing
And the carolers are singing
But Daddy, he don't hear 'em
He's yellin' at the Christmas tree
Santa's balls are jingling
Mommy's hips a-wiggling
But Daddy, he don't hear 'em
He's yellin, he's yellin'
At the Christmas tree
Santa's balls are jingling
Mommy's hips a-wiggling
But Daddy, he don't hear 'em
He's yellin'
He's yellin' at the Christmas tree
Well alright now yeah...
He's yellin' at the Christmas tree
He's yellin' at the Christmas tree
He's yellin' at the Christmas tree