Introduction to Complexity Science Complex Nature.

Introduction to Introduction to Complexity ScienceComplexity Science

Complex NatureComplex Nature

Seth Bullock, 2006Seth Bullock, 2006

Natural ComplexityNatural Complexity


Termite ConstructionsTermite Constructions

Termite mounds are often Termite mounds are often built on a gargantuan scale:built on a gargantuan scale: millions of buildersmillions of builders hundreds of generationshundreds of generations 4 4 ×× taller than Taipei 101 taller than Taipei 101 thermoregulation, defence, thermoregulation, defence,

agriculture, climate control, agriculture, climate control, crcrééches, graveyards, even ches, graveyards, even optimal acoustic properties optimal acoustic properties


Show DVDShow DVD


Freeform ConstructionFreeform Construction

The construction industry faces pressures The construction industry faces pressures that demand “a step change” in methods:that demand “a step change” in methods: environmental taxes & energy shortagesenvironmental taxes & energy shortages

FFC will change the “future of building”: FFC will change the “future of building”: decentralised construction and self-repairdecentralised construction and self-repair homeostatic, self-monitoring buildings, etc.homeostatic, self-monitoring buildings, etc.

““we can begin to embed organic functions we can begin to embed organic functions within inorganic buildings”, Rupert Soarwithin inorganic buildings”, Rupert Soar

See: www.freeformconstruction.co.ukSee: www.freeformconstruction.co.uk


Our BrainsOur Brains

~100Bn neurons, each ~100Bn neurons, each with 10K neighbourswith 10K neighbours

1000 trillion synapses 1000 trillion synapses for a 3-year-old childfor a 3-year-old child

Compare: 25K genes.Compare: 25K genes. Developmentally Developmentally

plastic into adulthoodplastic into adulthood + Chemical processes+ Chemical processes Language, logic, emotion, cognition, memory, Language, logic, emotion, cognition, memory,

learning, motor control, consciousness, etc. learning, motor control, consciousness, etc.


Neural ControlNeural Control

See Larry Bull at UWE for more details…See Larry Bull at UWE for more details…


DevelopmentDevelopment

Ultimately controlled by the linear, digital Ultimately controlled by the linear, digital and relatively short DNA code (25K genes)and relatively short DNA code (25K genes)

Cells grow, split, differentiate and die in a Cells grow, split, differentiate and die in a spatially and temporally extended patternspatially and temporally extended pattern

This is achieved through a system of This is achieved through a system of chemical signals switching genes on & offchemical signals switching genes on & off

However, “morphogens” influence growth However, “morphogens” influence growth as they diffuse, altering diffusion patternsas they diffuse, altering diffusion patterns

Complex feedbacks…Complex feedbacks…





Physics and chemistry define a “morphospace”.Physics and chemistry define a “morphospace”.

e.g. Raup’s simulation e.g. Raup’s simulation describes the space for snail describes the space for snail shells using only 3 shells using only 3 parameters.parameters.


EvolutionEvolution

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Perhaps the most impressive aspect of natural complexity is that it arises via a brute natural complexity is that it arises via a brute process: evolution by natural selection.process: evolution by natural selection.

Heritable variation + limited resourcesHeritable variation + limited resources


EvolutionEvolution

Evolutionary thought is on the rise:Evolutionary thought is on the rise: cellular, genetic, ecological, co-evolutionary…cellular, genetic, ecological, co-evolutionary…

Important unsolved questions:Important unsolved questions: Major transitionsMajor transitions MorphogenesisMorphogenesis The evolutionary basis of human behaviourThe evolutionary basis of human behaviour

Harnessing evolutionHarnessing evolution Analogous systemsAnalogous systems

Markets, Culture, Language, etc.Markets, Culture, Language, etc.


Taking InspirationTaking Inspiration

We can learn a lot from natural complexity, We can learn a lot from natural complexity, but nature is not perfect or “good”:but nature is not perfect or “good”: cf. the is-ought problem/naturalistic fallacycf. the is-ought problem/naturalistic fallacy evolved systems were not “designed” to evolved systems were not “designed” to

do the jobs we need done…do the jobs we need done… ……merely to effect their own reproduction.merely to effect their own reproduction.

But neither is bio-inspiration is to be feared:But neither is bio-inspiration is to be feared: brewer’s yeast, workhorses, employees…brewer’s yeast, workhorses, employees…


The “Nichiversal” PerspectiveThe “Nichiversal” Perspective

A typical bio-inspired programe:A typical bio-inspired programe: idealise an impressive biological systemidealise an impressive biological system

ANNs, GAs, AISs, etc. ANNs, GAs, AISs, etc. demonstrate “universality”demonstrate “universality”

Turing equivalence, universal approximator, …Turing equivalence, universal approximator, … solve some (toy) problemssolve some (toy) problems repeatrepeat

Instead: characterise a Instead: characterise a nicheniche..

Introduction to Complexity Science Complex Nature.

Documents

selfmonitoring buildings

system of chemical signals

decentralised construction

climate control

motor control

inorganic buildings

step change

selfrepair homeostatic