Parts of this document are still under construction.
Overview
The purpose of this page is to present certain individual perspective to the "
science" of complexity.Complexity theories can be applied to almost any establish discipline, married as often as not to chaotic systems, my interest however is more of a personal and Philosophical nature. I am not principally interested in promoting a specific interpretation of complex systems, as I am neither academically involved or affiliated I feel free to wonder wherever the muse takes me, my only consideration being to share some of my observations and in doing so to present them in a more or less digestible format.
Wherever I have quoted from the works of others I've tried to be as accurate as possible. Where copyrighted material is concerned, I've contacted those concerned for permission. And I would very much appreciate the same courtesy.
When I began work on complexity I found an overall definition of the "Phenomena" hard to come by until I discovered the
Warren commission and Complexity Horizons.
Complexity horizon:
What it means is that every subject has a certain degree of complexity, below which the subject can be understood, but above which the subject is impossible to comprehend. Some subjects can be compressed; that is, brought down to a small number of fundamental elements, sufficiently to be comprehensible (i.e., how to drive a car). Others can not (i.e., the origin of life). People, as well as subjects, differ in their complexity horizons. You might find quantum theory beyond your complexity horizon, while dog training is not.
- David Warren
©
Now consider monitoring two way radio traffic to a specific point. A set frequency and a clear channel. Change the frequency - distortion. A coherent pattern has changed to one of static distortion. The change implies:
1) |
A specific order of relevance exists |
1a) |
The order of relevance is related to purpose. Purpose may be neither Logical nor Rational though a cause (even indeterminate) must be ascribed to it. |
1b) |
When information ceases to be relevant it can be discarded |
2)
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The relevance of information may be determined by preexistent criteria related to future necessity or application, |
2a)
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Simultaneous discretion where the present development of information determines short or long term goals including the revision of preexisting objectives. |
2b)
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Non definitive, intuitive exploration of information - Naturally still based on possible future relevance even though the nature of the relevance is obscured. |
3)
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The process to determine the usefulness of information is driven by its practical application. |
3a) |
We may under certain favourable circumstances delve into non-practical applications though these activities are seldom long-lived. We stop pursuing non-practical goals primarily because of social constraints. Simply - Time and money |
There's more to follow but I haven't gotten round to it yet...
