Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

242 | David Krakauer on Complexity, Agency, and Information

137 snips
Jul 10, 2023
David Krakauer, President of the Santa Fe Institute and an expert in complexity science, dives deep into the intriguing world of complex systems. He discusses how complexity transcends simple definitions, spotlighting concepts like agency and adaptation that are vital in understanding evolution. Krakauer challenges traditional views of life and intelligence, emphasizing the interconnectedness of information. He also explores the dynamic relationship between entropy and emergence, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach to tackle global challenges.
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INSIGHT

Teleonomic Matter

  • Complexity science studies matter with purpose, differentiating it from physics.
  • Complex systems internally encode the world, like theorizers theorizing about theorizers.
INSIGHT

Complexity vs. Self-Organization

  • Complex systems differ from simple self-organizing patterns like hurricanes.
  • They encode their environment internally, enabling adaptation, unlike a hurricane.
INSIGHT

Adaptive Landscape Metaphor

  • The adaptive landscape metaphor, while useful, is inaccurate.
  • Complex systems don't passively roll; they actively map their landscape and adapt.
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