Large numbers of natural and designed processes occur in the non-equilibrium steady state (NESS). Examples of the former and latter include retinal isomerization in vision, and donor-accepter complexes in energy transfer devices. Such systems present significant theoretical and computational challenges in open system quantum mechanics. We introduce this topic and discuss some developments in determining rates within networks, using quantum interference to control open system processes, and problems associated with limited experimental data. Time permitting, I will list some of the disturbing trends (in my view) in modern scientific approaches.