Complexity: The Emerging Science at the Edge of Order and Chaos

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Simon & Schuster, Sep 1, 1993 - Science - 384 pages
44 Reviews
Why did the stock market crash more than 500 points on a single Monday in 1987? Why do ancient species often remain stable in the fossil record for millions of years and then suddenly disappear? In a world where nice guys often finish last, why do humans value trust and cooperation? At first glance these questions don't appear to have anything in common, but in fact every one of these statements refers to a complex system. The science of complexity studies how single elements, such as a species or a stock, spontaneously organize into complicated structures like ecosystems and economies; stars become galaxies, and snowflakes avalanches almost as if these systems were obeying a hidden yearning for order.
Drawing from diverse fields, scientific luminaries such as Nobel Laureates Murray Gell-Mann and Kenneth Arrow are studying complexity at a think tank called The Santa Fe Institute. The revolutionary new discoveries researchers have made there could change the face of every science from biology to cosmology to economics. M. Mitchell Waldrop's groundbreaking bestseller takes readers into the hearts and minds of these scientists to tell the story behind this scientific revolution as it unfolds.

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Great groundbreaking book introducing the science of Complexity, with genetic algorithms, artificial life, emergence of order and intelligence from apparent randomness in nature, the special boundary between order and chaos, and much more! The next step beyond "Chaos" by Gleick, and a definite must-read!
If I'm allowed, I'd like to suggest checking it out in much more depth (along with other great book and idea recommendations), with free chapters, links to articles and much more at my Squidoo Lens:


User Review  - James - Goodreads

A great introduction to an idea whose time has come and will transform our world forever. Read full review



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