Complex Systems Science

Ecología, belleza y el camino hacia la gracia de la interrelación

by José Manuel Rodríguez

Rodríguez, J.M. 2011. Ecología, belleza y el camino hacia la gracia de la interrelación. Prensa Libre, jueves 17 de febrero, p. 16 Opinión.

The Shotton River and Mesolithic dwellings: Recreating the past from geo-seismic data sources

by Eugene Ch'ng

From Sites to Landscapes: How Computing Technology Is Shaping Archaeological Practice

by Eugene Ch'ng

Evaluating artificial life-based vegetation dynamics in the context of a Virtual Reality representation of ancient landscapes

by Eugene Ch'ng

3D Archaeological Reconstruction and Visualisation: An Artificial Life Model for Determining Vegetation Dispersal Patterns in Ancient Landscapes

by Eugene Ch'ng

What is complexity governance and how can this be implemented in a world complexity observatories grid?

by Andrés Ginestet

What is complexity governance and how can this be implemented in a world complexity observatories grid?
more What is complexity governance and how can this be implemented in a world complexity observatories grid?

Complexity governance is the governance of any human
relation (complexity pattern) on a peer-to-peer (complexity expression) level.

This peer-to-peer relationship gets massively monitored and deformed by the influence of the system of violence. The system of violence is based on trauma and its effects on human behavior. Trauma is automatically regulated and activated within
society by the system of violence, as a complex system. As humans do not regulate voluntarily their complexity, nature cares for the regulation of human complexity by the means of the violence system. Nature regulates human complexity for the sake of the balance of all natural systems. This interest is not contrary but also not in favor of human species.

First priority in order to take over control of this natural function is to behave as to reduce trauma influence on human social construction worldwide (complexity symptom caused by complexity patterns). Consequently, human beings need to start
regulating their complexity at the same speed at which they reduce trauma rates. In order to achieve the goal of reducing the influence of violence on society, trauma needs to be driven below the necessary critical level leading to war. The necessary
critical level is defined in clinical/medical terms. The estimate is that this level is 30% of traumatic experience and epigenetic aberration in any human population. How can we best attain this goal? Establishing a grid of complexity governance run by civil population, by normal citizens, because they are the complexity producers.

For this purpose, people will have to be trained. The training will follow a guidance described in 7 steps1. Every citizen on the planet will have the possibility to undergo complexity governance training within the next 50 years. Volunteers are on their way, and this is a very natural procedure in civil society. The situation is different for state forces like Military and police. They would like to be involved and encouraged to be the first training in complexity governance. Their job is to maintain security and to reduce violence world wide, and their role will have to be enforced by law because they act within institutions. They are in fact the first ones who need and wish to take on the mission and lead a war against the violence system, systematically and with full conviction. But, they need to redefine their enemy as defined by laws that are not yet designed for this purpose. For this reason, legal systems defining democracy need to incorporate the understanding for the existing violence system as a system, as to back up state forces mission. This can be done in agreement with Global Civil Society, if citizens take on their responsibility in the process.

La encrucijada

by José Manuel Rodríguez

Rodríguez, J.M. 2011. La encrucijada. Semanario Universidad, No. 1881: 24 Opinión.

Concepts in Complexity II: Emergence and the Difference Between Order and Organization

by Jon Lawhead

Still very much a draft. 

This paper would not have been possible without the help of Daniel Estrada and Tim Ignaffo.

There are a number of contemporary scientific problems that can benefit from good metaphysical analysis and... more There are a number of contemporary scientific problems that can benefit from good metaphysical analysis and philosophical clarification.  This paper examines one of these problems—explaining the nature of self-organized emergent behavior in dynamical physical systems.  While discussions of emergence have long been the province of metaphysicians, recent advances in network theory and complex systems theory have begun to suggest that there is both philosophical and metaphysical work to be done here, and that a rigorous, mathematically-grounded account of emergence might serve as the foundation upon which we can construct a tremendous number of other novel contributions to our understanding of the world. 

This paper explores the conceptual connection between this mathematically rigorous account of “strong emergence” (developed primarily by Yaneer Bar-Yam) and the still somewhat murky notion of self-organized systems.  I argue that a clear scientific understanding of emergence leads to a natural way of understanding the metaphysics of self-organization and (more generally) the difference between order and organization.  All three of these notions are central to the nascent field of complex systems theory, and getting a strong grasp on their conceptual relationships would represent not only a significant step toward developing a cohesive metaphysics of complex systems, but would also provide the theoretical tools necessary for continued philosophical and scientific work in that area. 

Given the sheer number (and diversity) of fields that stand to benefit from complexity-theoretic insights, this is work that urgently needs to be done.

Misyurov D.A. Dialectical formulas based on the binary notation as the development formulas // Credo New. 2012. №2

by Dmitry Misyurov

The article suggests dialectical formulas based on the binary notation as the development formulas: formula with... more The article suggests dialectical formulas based on the binary notation as the development formulas: formula with dominant and the non-dominant elements; universal formula; formula with symbolic weight of elements; tautological formula. For example, it suggests an opportunity to use the dialectical formulas for modeling and artificial intelligence creation, etc.

Consulting of the XXI Century: Coping with Complex Business Systems

by Gandolfo Dominici

Nuova Atlantide, Vol. 3, pp. 69-77

The increase of the social and economic complexity causes frequent discontinuities and the rapid change of the... more The increase of the social and economic complexity causes frequent discontinuities and the rapid change of the business environment, triggering intense transformations of the competitive logics and of the capability of forecasting using traditional models. The new competitive reality is characterized by dynamism, connectivity, non-linearity and emergent properties, in other words by “complexity”.

The XX century’s myth of the “one best way” reveals its weaknesses and its inability to deal with the new emerging problems and opportunities, which, at the beginning of the XXI century, firms have to face. The traditional reductionist concept of “one best way”, based on the “replication of standards”, was a good approach to deal with complicated issues, but is not suitable today to deal with the complexity of the business system. There is no “instructions manual” to deal with complexity, there is not one “solution” to complex problems, there are strategies to deal with complexity and these strategies must involve the flexibility necessary to change and find sudden solutions to always new emerging problems. The traditional consulting skills are useless to forecast the future business scenarios; the growing complexity calls for new systemic skills able to give directions for the management of firms.

The new role of consultant cannot be based, like in the past, on the mere application of models and algorithms. Consultant must think and act beyond the models and the recognized standards they have been thought in business schools; they need to develop the ability to grasp the “sense of events” instead of just classifying them into predefined patterns. Today’s consultants need to think in terms of “possible” and deal with the “emergent”. The role of consultant must be proactive, in other words must not just deal with the threats of the business environment but should proactively shape the business environment by reading the signs of continuous change and moving fast to let them to become opportunities.

This paper will examine the main problems and constraints of traditional consulting and propose a new role and new skills that can be more effective for the consulting of the XXI century.

Modeling HIV-1 intracellular replication: two simulation approaches

by Shayan Shahand

N. Zarrabi, E. Mancini, J. Tay, S. Shahand, and P. M. A. Sloot. Procedia Computer Science, 2010.

Many mathematical and computational models have been developed to investigate the complexity of HIV dynamics, immune... more Many mathematical and computational models have been developed to investigate the complexity of HIV dynamics, immune response and drug therapy. However, there are not many models which consider the dynamics of virus intracellular replication at a single level. We propose a model of HIV intracellular replication where infected cells undergo a single cycle of virus replication. A cell is modeled as an individual entity with certain states and properties. The model is stochastic and keeps track of the main viral proteins and genetic materials inside the cell. Two simulation approaches are used for implementing the model: rate-based and diffusion-based approaches. The results of the simulation are discussed based on the number of integrated viral cDNA and the number of viral mRNA transcribed after a single round of replication. The model is validated by comparing simulation results with available experimental data. Simulation results give insights about the details of HIV replication dynamics inside the cell at the protein level. Therefore the model can be used for future studies of HIV intracellular replication in vivo and drug treatment.

Complex Systems Modeling: Using Metaphors From Nature In Simulation and Scientific Models

by Luis Rocha

Rocha, Luis M. [1999]. BITS: Computer and Communications News. Computing, Information, and Communications Division. Los Alamos National Laboratory. November 1999.

Modelado de sistemas complejos mediante simulación basada en agentes y mediante dinámica de sistemas

by Jose Manuel Galan

Emergence And Self-Organization In Urban Structures

by Kinda Al Sayed

Authors:

Al-Sayed K,Turner A

Research on urban growth divides into two strands that barely come together. The first strand is aligned to the view... more Research on urban growth divides into two strands that barely come together. The first strand is aligned to the view that an understanding of cities as socio-spatial phenomena is indispensable for any sensible modelling approach. The second strand is established on assumption-based computational modelling with the perspective that without testing our understanding by reconstructing the phenomena we cannot verify our theoretical propositions about it. It is clear to our understanding that by bridging these two strands we can subject the explanatory models of cities to experimental testing. We acknowledge however the need to explain urban dynamics as a process rather than as an end product for us to base our assumptions on solid evidence. In search for evidence on laws that capture urban dynamics we outline invariants in the historical evolution of two urban structures. The invariants indicate to two processes that govern city growth; a generative process that contributes to structural differentiation and a process of self-organisation that is seen to resemble reaction-diffusion systems famously known in chemistry and biology. At this stage, we cannot verify whether these invariants constitute spatial laws in themselves or whether these invariants are a side effect of another more implicit process. Nonetheless, we assume that the presence of these invariants is conditional for a grid structure to be admitted to the class of natural urban systems. In that, the invariants serve as measures for the characterisation of urban pattern recognition.

Qubism: self-similar visualization of many-body wavefunctions

by Piotr Migdal

accepted to the New Journal of Physics

A visualization scheme for quantum many-body wavefunctions is described, which we have termed qubism. Its main... more A visualization scheme for quantum many-body wavefunctions is described, which we have termed qubism. Its main property is its recursivity: increasing the number of qubits reflects in an increase in the image resolution. Thus, the plots are typically fractal. As examples, we provide images for the ground states of commonly used Hamiltonians in condensed matter and cold atom physics, such as Heisenberg or ITF. Many features of the wavefunction, such as magnetization, correlations and criticality, can be visualized as properties of the images. In particular, factorizability can be easily spotted, and a way to estimate the entanglement entropy from the image is provided.

The mask of the symptoms

by Marcelo Manucci

The gap between environmental demands and the ability to adapt and respond generates symptoms in a human system. In a... more The gap between environmental demands and the ability to adapt and respond generates symptoms in a human system. In a system that has lost its ability to make decisions, the symptom decides for the system. In general terms, the masks have the function to hide some features while others becoming visible. Thus, masks are functional elements for interaction. The game of hide and show is only feasible in a wider context of significance. Without context, masks are worthless.

Trois Générations de Théories de la Complexité: Nuances et Ambiguités

by Michel Alhadeff-Jones

Alhadeff-Jones, M. (2008). Trois Générations de Théories de la Complexité: Nuances et Ambiguités. Programme Européen MCX “Modélisation de la Complexité”. Disponible à l’adresse: http://www.mcxapc.org/docs/conseilscient/0805michel.pdf

Le recours contemporain à la notion de "complexité" renvoie fréquemment à des démarches ayant tendance à... more Le recours contemporain à la notion de "complexité" renvoie fréquemment à des démarches ayant tendance à unifier sa définition. En langue anglaise, sa réduction à une forme singulière (complexity theory ou complexity science) s'avère ainsi susceptible de masquer la variété des théories permettant de rendre compte des implications inhérentes au recours à cette notion. Cet article, en prenant en considération à la fois les traditions de recherche latines et anglosaxonnes, associées à la notion de complexité, suggère une approche plus nuancée, évitant la simplification de cette notion à certaines des conceptions dominantes qui y sont associées. Partant d'une approche étymologique, cet article propose d'envisager de façon chronologique l'émergence de trois générations de théories de la complexité; ce faisant, certains de leurs enracinements épistémologiques et socio-culturels sont introduits. D'un point de vue épistémologique, la réflexion proposée met en évidence certaines des interprétations hétérogènes sous-jacentes à la définition de ce qui est perçu comme complexe. Suivant une perspective anthropologique, ce texte évoque également la portée à la fois émancipatrice et asservissante susceptible d'être associée à l'idée de complexité. Sur la base des ambiguitiés mises en évidence, cet article suggère finalement de concevoir les contributions renvoyant aux théories contemporaines de la complexité, au même titre que la remise en question de leur légitimité épistémologique et éthique, à partir des boucles et des dynamiques dont elles sont constitutives. Ce faisant, les chercheurs et les praticiens en Sciences de l'éducation devraient considérer leurs pratiques en tant que processus
d'apprentissage dont la complexité renvoie autant aux transformations qu'ils étudient ou provoquent, qu'aux transformations inhérentes aux systèmes de représentations
auxquels ils ont recours pour les conceptualiser. 

Three Generations of Complexity Theories: Nuances and Ambiguities

by Michel Alhadeff-Jones

Alhadeff-Jones, M. (2008). Three Generations of Complexity Theories: Nuances and Ambiguities. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 40, 1, 66-82.

The contemporary use of the term ‘complexity’ frequently indicates that it is considered a unified concept. This may... more The contemporary use of the term ‘complexity’ frequently indicates that it is considered a unified concept. This may lead to a neglect of the range of different theories that deal with the implications related to the notion of complexity. This paper, integrating both the English and the Latin traditions of research associated with this notion, suggests a more nuanced use of the term, thereby avoiding simplification of the concept to some of its dominant expressions only. The paper further explores the etymology of ‘complexity’ and offers a chronological presentation of three generations of theories that have shaped its uses; the epistemic and socio-cultural roots of these theories are also introduced. From an epistemological point of view, this reflection sheds light on the competing interpretations underlying the definition of what is considered as complex. Also, from an anthropological perspective it considers both the emancipatory as well as the alienating dimensions of complexity. Based on the highlighted ambiguities, the paper suggests in conclusion that contributions grounded in contemporary theories related to complexity, as well as critical appraisals of their epistemological and ethical legitimacy, need to follow the recursive feedback loops and dynamics that they constitute. In doing so, researchers and practitioners in education should consider their own practice as a learning process that does not require the reduction of the antagonisms and the complementarities that shape its own complexity.

Why Does Systems Thinking Matter?

by Gandolfo Dominici

Editorial in Business Systems Review, Vol. 1, N.1 - forthcoming due December 2012
http://www.business-systems-review.org/

The social and economic complexity of our times triggers intense transformations in the competitive logics of markets... more The social and economic complexity of our times triggers intense transformations in the competitive logics of markets and, broadly speaking, of business systems. Business scenarios today are typified by dynamism, connectivity, nonlinearity, and emergent properties — in other words by “complexity.”
Asserting that the world, and consequently business systems, are complex means that it is impossible to understand them by considering their individual elements separately, and that there is no option of predicting the future, but only of grasping and proactively influencing future scenarios.
Reductionist models are unable to fully depict, or to allow us to deeply understand, new complex and dynamic business scenarios. Today more than ever, it is necessary to recognize the need for a paradigm shift that can carry science beyond the analytical reductionist approach, and towards a more comprehensive systemic perspective.
This, of course, does not imply rejecting all the discoveries and benefits that the reductionist approach has brought to science, but it does mean going further, being aware that the analytic way alone is not sufficient for obtaining a deeper understanding of complex phenomena. Hence, without rejecting the old paradigm, we must move ahead to embrace a systemic view of social and economic facts.

Critical Evaluation of Paradigms for Modeling Supply Chains as Complex Socio-Technical Systems

by Behzad Behdani

Working Paper

Each simulation paradigm is characterized by a set of core assumptions and some underlying concepts to describe the... more Each simulation paradigm is characterized by a set of core assumptions and some underlying concepts to describe the world. These assumptions, in fact, constrain the development of a conceptual model for the system of study. Consequently, the choice of appropriate simulation paradigm is an important step in model development process. In this paper, selection of a simulation approach for supply chain modeling is discussed. For this purpose, the supply chain is described from perspective of two well-established system theories. Firstly, supply chains are defined as socio-technical systems. Afterwards, they are described from complex adaptive systems perspective. This study gives a set of features for supply chains as complex socio-technical systems which is subsequently used to compare three simulation paradigms for supply chain modeling – namely, system dynamics, discrete-even simulation and agent-based simulation.