You Are Not So Smart 286 - Notes on Complexity - Neil Theise
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Apr 29, 2024 
Join Professor Neil Theise as he discusses complexity theory, chaos science, and interconnected systems, drawing parallels to Jurassic Park. Explore how shared starting conditions shape various fields, from predicting cancer to understanding genius. Discover the origins of complexity science and its impact on stem cell research. Delve into ant colonies as a model for complex systems and ponder the finite lifespan of organisms in the realm of complexity theory.
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Tiny Variations, Big Outcomes
- Chaos theory shows tiny differences in initial conditions can produce wildly different outcomes in complex systems.
- Complex systems become unpredictable as interacting variables amplify small variations over time.
Experiment With Simple Rules
- Use simple rule-based simulations to study emergence and complex behavior over time.
- Run cellular automata like Conway's Game of Life to observe self-replication, stability, and gliders.
Self-Assembling Systems
- Complexity arises when many interacting parts self-assemble into higher-level wholes without central design.
- Chaotic systems produce fractal, self-similar structures distinct from engineered machine order.