Guest Insights: Smart swarms: The power of self-organization - Peter Miller: "When army ants charge across the floor of a rain forest, there's no commander telling them where to go, no squad leaders rallying the troops.
When termites build a soaring mound on the savanna--complete with a network of ducts to regulate air and moisture inside--there's no project manager lining up subcontractors, no architect consulting blueprints.
Honeybees don't need a CEO to make the call when they select a new home from a dozen possible sites, even though the fate of every individual in the hive is riding on the decision.
Which raises a provocative question: If groups in nature can do it, why can't we? Why do human organizations require great leadership when colonies of ants, flocks of birds, and schools of fish get by just fine without any at all?
Is it because the problems they face are simpler than ours? Are their environments less complex and unpredictable?"
Saturday, August 21, 2010
FOXNews.com - Clouds Can Communicate, Scientists Say
FOXNews.com - Clouds Can Communicate, Scientists Say: "'Cloud fields organize in such a way that their components 'communicate' with one another and produce regular, periodic rainfall events,' explained Graham Feingold, a research scientist with the National Oceanic and�Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) and the paper's lead author.
In other words, Feingold found clear evidence of self-organization in the regular patterns of rainfall and repeating growth of those floating puffs of cotton."
In other words, Feingold found clear evidence of self-organization in the regular patterns of rainfall and repeating growth of those floating puffs of cotton."
Our Human Development Initiative
Our Human Development Initiative: "Our Human Development Initiative
Sustainable human development will occur when all humans can have fulfilling lives without degrading the planet. This, we believe, is the ultimate goal. Two leading indicators have identified how we can get there."
Sustainable human development will occur when all humans can have fulfilling lives without degrading the planet. This, we believe, is the ultimate goal. Two leading indicators have identified how we can get there."
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Complexity Theory - A perspective on Education
Complexity Theory - A perspective on Education: "`Complexity refers to the condition of the universe which is
integrated and yet too rich and varied for us to understand
in simple common mechanistic or linear ways. We can
understand many parts of the universe in these ways but
the larger and more intricately related phenomena can only
be understood by principles and patterns - not in detail.
Complexity deals with the nature of emergence, innovation,
learning and adaptation’. (Santa F�Group 1996, cited in
Battram 1998 p.v)"
integrated and yet too rich and varied for us to understand
in simple common mechanistic or linear ways. We can
understand many parts of the universe in these ways but
the larger and more intricately related phenomena can only
be understood by principles and patterns - not in detail.
Complexity deals with the nature of emergence, innovation,
learning and adaptation’. (Santa F�Group 1996, cited in
Battram 1998 p.v)"
Saturday, July 10, 2010
New evidence for quantum Darwinism found in quantum dots
New evidence for quantum Darwinism found in quantum dots: "New evidence for quantum Darwinism found in quantum dots
May 10, 2010 By Lisa Zyga New evidence for quantum Darwinism found in quantum dots
Enlarge
These images show a recurring scar found in simulations that bears a strong resemblance to experimental images. Scars were found to replicate and produce offspring states in agreement with quantum Darwinism. Image credit: A.M. Burke, et al. �2010 APS.
(PhysOrg.com) -- Physicists have found new evidence that supports the theory of quantum Darwinism, the idea that the transition from the quantum to the classical world occurs due to a quantum form of natural selection. By explaining how the classical world emerges from the quantum world, quantum Darwinism could shed light on one of the most challenging questions in physics of the past century."
May 10, 2010 By Lisa Zyga New evidence for quantum Darwinism found in quantum dots
Enlarge
These images show a recurring scar found in simulations that bears a strong resemblance to experimental images. Scars were found to replicate and produce offspring states in agreement with quantum Darwinism. Image credit: A.M. Burke, et al. �2010 APS.
(PhysOrg.com) -- Physicists have found new evidence that supports the theory of quantum Darwinism, the idea that the transition from the quantum to the classical world occurs due to a quantum form of natural selection. By explaining how the classical world emerges from the quantum world, quantum Darwinism could shed light on one of the most challenging questions in physics of the past century."
Future of Life- Evolutionary Thrashing and Social Chaos
Future of Life- Evolutionary Thrashing and Social Chaos: "Future of Life- Evolutionary Thrashing and Social Chaos
Friday, 09 July 2010 11:31
Written by David Tow
David Hunter Tow
David Hunter Tow- Director of the Future of Life Research Centre, forecasts that society may be on the cusp of social chaos triggered by ‘Evolutionary Thrashing’, which could result in major social breakdown for many decades.
According to David Tow, the ‘evolutionary thrashing’ phenomenon occurs when the rate of change in a system’s environment exceeds its capacity to effectively adapt or evolve, before again being overwhelmed by the next wave of change.
At the biological level this can result in an organism’s inability to reach its optimal potential, making it less fit and more susceptible to extinction. This is currently occurring on the planet at an unprecedented rate. Many species are finding it increasingly difficult to adapt to the continuous changes in their habitat resulting from global warming and human destruction, with a quarter of vertebrate species predicted to become endangered or extinct by 2050."
Friday, 09 July 2010 11:31
Written by David Tow
David Hunter Tow
David Hunter Tow- Director of the Future of Life Research Centre, forecasts that society may be on the cusp of social chaos triggered by ‘Evolutionary Thrashing’, which could result in major social breakdown for many decades.
According to David Tow, the ‘evolutionary thrashing’ phenomenon occurs when the rate of change in a system’s environment exceeds its capacity to effectively adapt or evolve, before again being overwhelmed by the next wave of change.
At the biological level this can result in an organism’s inability to reach its optimal potential, making it less fit and more susceptible to extinction. This is currently occurring on the planet at an unprecedented rate. Many species are finding it increasingly difficult to adapt to the continuous changes in their habitat resulting from global warming and human destruction, with a quarter of vertebrate species predicted to become endangered or extinct by 2050."
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Print Page - Emergent Complexity Theory and the Anarchist Approach
Print Page - Emergent Complexity Theory and the Anarchist Approach: "Ants are not the deft little erectors, foragers, and soldiers people think they are. Actually they are quite inept at all of the skills people laud over them. Ants are not clever and quick, but ant colonies are."
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