Universities traditionally compartmentalized knowledge into separate disciplines, limiting interaction between experts. However, adopting an interdisciplinary approach creates a shared language that bridges various fields. For instance, biology and economics, seemingly unrelated, can be connected through the concept of information. While biology deals with genetic and neural information, economics can be viewed as information about trade and markets. This synthesis enables experts from diverse backgrounds to engage in meaningful conversations, recognizing the common thread of information underlying different disciplines.
What is complexity science, and why should you care about it? Well, complexity science is all about understanding the systems that are all around us — systems like the economy, your body, cities, companies, and the environment. To properly understand how these systems work, and how they fail, you need to understand complexity science. Because complexity science provides us with the underlying principles that govern these systems.
In today's episode, we speak to David Krakauer, President and William H. Miller Professor of Complex Systems at the Santa Fe Institute. He explains the underlying principles of complex systems and what they have in common — even if they all seem completely unrelated. He also talks through the history of complexity science and provides his top three takeaways on how you can start to think about complex systems.
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This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.