Complexity arises from interactions of simple components from "summary" of Complexity by Mitchell M. Waldrop
At the heart of the study of complexity lies a fundamental insight: complex systems can often be understood as arising from simple interactions between individual components. This seemingly paradoxical idea has revolutionized our understanding of the world around us, from the behavior of ecosystems to the dynamics of the global economy. The key to this concept is the recognition that even systems with many interacting parts can exhibit emergent properties that are not inherent in any one part alone. In other words, the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts. This emergent behavior often defies our intuitions about how complex systems should work, leading to surprising and unpredictable outcomes. Take, for example, the behavior of a flock of birds. On the surface, the intricate patterns they form in the sky might seem to imply a level of coordination beyond the abilities of any individual bird. However, research has shown that these patterns can emerge from simple r...
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