The discussion centers on the validity of defining stability in oscillating systems based on power balance, specifically comparing absorbed and emitted power. It argues that a system emitting more power than it absorbs may be considered "active" rather than stable, using examples like gas tanks and passive materials. Stability is better defined by the constancy of a system's centroid, such as the center of mass in orbiting bodies or equilibrium points in oscillating systems. The conversation emphasizes that oscillating systems, like a mass on a spring, remain stable unless structural failure occurs, despite potential erratic behavior due to frequency mismatches. Overall, the definition of stability should focus on equilibrium rather than power dynamics alone.
