Complexity and Random Overlaps

Ichiro Tsuda, Hiroshi Watanabe, Hiromichi Tsukada, and Yutaka Yamaguti

Entropy 2022, 24(2), 240

The focus of this article is the self-organization of neural systems under constraints. In 2016, we proposed a theory for self-organization with constraints to clarify the neural mechanism of functional differentiation. As a typical application of the theory, we developed evolutionary reservoir computers that exhibit functional differentiation of neurons. Regarding the self-organized structure of neural systems, Warren McCulloch described the neural networks of the brain as being “heterarchical”, rather than hierarchical, in structure. Unlike the fixed boundary conditions in conventional self-organization theory, where stationary phenomena are the target for study, the neural networks of the brain change their functional structure via synaptic learning and neural differentiation to exhibit specific functions, thereby adapting to nonstationary environmental changes. Thus, the neural network structure is altered dynamically among possible network structures. We refer to such changes as a dynamic heterarchy. Through the dynamic changes of the network structure under constraints, such as physical, chemical, and informational factors, which act on the whole system, neural systems realize functional differentiation or functional parcellation. Based on the computation results of our model for functional differentiation, we propose hypotheses on the neuronal mechanism of functional differentiation. Finally, using the Kolmogorov–Arnold–Sprecher superposition theorem, which can be realized by a layered deep neural network, we propose a possible scenario of functional (including cell) differentiation.

Read the full article at: www.mdpi.com

With self-generated gradients of chemicals and physical tension, cells in the body steer themselves to vital destinations.

Read the full article at: www.quantamagazine.org

A recent paper entitled 'A Complex Systems Approach to the Study of Ideology'* presents a theory much like the one I have begun to develop in a series of posts on this blog and other work. The authors write, If we construe ideologies as complex systems, we have (at least) two levels of systems embedded in each other. At the individual level, the elements are ideas, beliefs, and values, whose interactions give rise to a person’s understanding of society, which in turn guides individual political behavior. At the group level, the elements are individual minds whose interactions give rise to

Fetzer, Thiemo, Marc Witte, Lukas Hensel, Jon Jachimowicz, Johannes Haushofer, Andriy Ivchenko, Stefano Caria, et al. 2020. “Global Behaviors and Perceptions in the COVID-19 Pandemic.” PsyArXiv. April 16. doi:10.31234/osf.io/3kfmh

We conducted a large-scale survey covering 58 countries and over 100,000 respondents between late March and early April 2020 to study beliefs and attitudes towards citizens’ and governments’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most respondents reacted strongly to the crisis: they report engaging in social distancing and hygiene behaviors, and believe that strong policy measures, such as shop closures and curfews, are necessary. They also believe that their government and their country’s citizens are not doing enough and underestimate the degree to which others in their country support strong behavioral and policy responses to the pandemic. The perception of a weak government and public response is associated with higher levels of worries and depression. Using both cross-country panel data and an event-study, we additionally show that strong government reactions correct misperceptions, and reduce worries and depression. Our findings highlight that policy-makers not only need to consider how their decisions affect the spread of COVID-19, but also how such choices influence the mental health of their population.

It has been called the third great revolution of 20th-century physics, after relativity and quantum theory. But how can something called chaos theory help you understand an orderly world? What practical things might it be good for? What, in fact, is chaos theory? "Chaos theory," according to Dr. Steven Strogatz, Director of the Center for Applied Mathematics at Cornell University, "is the science of how things change." It describes the behavior of any system whose state evolves over time and whose behavior is sensitive to small changes in its initial conditions.

As I’ve spent time exploring these small groups that achieve accelerating impact, I’ve become convinced that they are so important because they help us to address our emotional needs (our heartset) and ultimately to connect with others at a much deeper level (our spiritset) that can cultivate shared passion (specifically, the passion of the explorer). It’s about building deep and enduring (but also evolving) human connection. They do this by achieving a rich balance across dimensions that are often viewed as conflicting.

Far-reaching conversations with a worldwide network of scientists and mathematicians, philosophers and artists developing new frameworks to explain our universe's deepest mysteries. Join host Michael Garfield at the Santa Fe Institute each week to learn about your world and the people who have dedicated their lives to exploring its emergent order: their stories, research, and insights…

Santa Fe Institute’s Complexity Explorer lets the public dip into Complexity Science topics.

Dynamical systems can be chaotic and impossible to predict, but mathematicians have discovered tools to help understand them.

Read the full article at: www.quantamagazine.org

Where do we come from? Where are we going? New research from the Santa Fe Institute explores key questions related to humanity, society, and the existence of life in our world.

Part 1: The Principles of Complexity: Understanding the Hidden Sources of Order by Dr. Stefani Crabtree

Part 2: Autocatalytic Sets: Complexity at the Interface of Chemistry and Biology by Dr. Wim Hordijk

Part 3: Beyond Pairwise: Higher-Order Interactions in Complex Systems

Read the full article at: www.templeton.org

October 22nd, 2021, ONLINE

This Satellite Meeting takes the form of a workshop aiming to stimulate the discussion and the collaborative co-construction of new ideas about the nature and state of development of the modes of thinking in and for Complexity Studies.

It aims at identifying key challenges and questions that call to be addressed, including those regarding the development of more complex modes of thinking. It will focus the discussion on the identification of key theoretical, empirical, methodological, technical and practical challenges and/or ways of addressing them.

The workshop will aim to identify and explore how these key questions and challenges relate to the development or adaptation of tools and strategies to support the practice of particular modes of thinking in research and practice and to guide real-world interventions and educational activities (formal and informal).

Through a transdisciplinary approach, this meeting aims at constructing and stimulating productive and generative dialogues for the development of more complex modes of thinking (in) Complexity.

More details at: www.complexthinking.org

How epidemiologists rushed to model the coronavirus pandemic.

It has been called the third great revolution of 20th-century physics, after relativity and quantum theory. But how can something called chaos theory help you understand an orderly world? What practical things might it be good for? What, in fact, is chaos theory? "Chaos theory," according to Dr. Steven Strogatz, Director of the Center for Applied Mathematics at Cornell University, "is the science of how things change." It describes the behavior of any system whose state evolves over time and whose behavior is sensitive to small changes in its initial conditions.

At some point, systems flip from being complicated, which is a challenge to manage, to being complex. Complexity is more than a challenge because it opens the door to all kinds of unexpected crashes and events.

Their behavior cannot be reduced to their component parts. It’s as if they take on a life of their own.

Stories have the power to shape our identities and worldviews. They can be factual or fictional, text-based or visual and can take many forms—from novels and non-fiction to conspiracy theories, rumors and disinformation. This Collection includes primary research papers that propose innovative, data-driven approaches to understanding stories and their impact, on such topics as the nature of narrative and narrative thinking, methods to extract stories from datasets and datasets from stories, the role of narrative in science communication, and the transformative power of stories.

MIT's Alex 'Sandy' Pentland explains ‘social physics’ - the analysis of human interactions to improve communities.

Santa Fe Institute’s Complexity Explorer lets the public dip into Complexity Science topics.