Introduction to Complexity Science Complex Nature

Seth Bullock, 2006 Natural Complexity

Seth Bullock, 2006 Termite Constructions Termite mounds are often built on a gargantuan scale:  millions of builders  hundreds of generations  4 × taller than Taipei 101  thermoregulation, defence, agriculture, climate control, créches, graveyards, even optimal acoustic properties

Seth Bullock, 2006 Show DVD

Seth Bullock, 2006 Freeform Construction The construction industry faces pressures that demand “a step change” in methods:  environmental taxes & energy shortages FFC will change the “future of building”:  decentralised construction and self-repair  homeostatic, self-monitoring buildings, etc. “we can begin to embed organic functions within inorganic buildings”, Rupert Soar See:

Seth Bullock, 2006 Our Brains  ~100Bn neurons, each with 10K neighbours  1000 trillion synapses for a 3-year-old child  Compare: 25K genes.  Developmentally plastic into adulthood  + Chemical processes  Language, logic, emotion, cognition, memory, learning, motor control, consciousness, etc.

Seth Bullock, 2006 Neural Control See Larry Bull at UWE for more details…

Seth Bullock, 2006 Development  Ultimately controlled by the linear, digital and relatively short DNA code (25K genes)  Cells grow, split, differentiate and die in a spatially and temporally extended pattern  This is achieved through a system of chemical signals switching genes on & off  However, “morphogens” influence growth as they diffuse, altering diffusion patterns  Complex feedbacks…

Seth Bullock, 2006 Development

Development Physics and chemistry define a “morphospace”. e.g. Raup’s simulation describes the space for snail shells using only 3 parameters.

Seth Bullock, 2006 Evolution Perhaps the most impressive aspect of natural complexity is that it arises via a brute process: evolution by natural selection. Heritable variation + limited resources

Seth Bullock, 2006 Evolution  Evolutionary thought is on the rise: cellular, genetic, ecological, co-evolutionary… cellular, genetic, ecological, co-evolutionary…  Important unsolved questions: Major transitions Major transitions Morphogenesis Morphogenesis The evolutionary basis of human behaviour The evolutionary basis of human behaviour  Harnessing evolution  Analogous systems Markets, Culture, Language, etc. Markets, Culture, Language, etc.

Seth Bullock, 2006 Taking Inspiration We can learn a lot from natural complexity, but nature is not perfect or “good”:  cf. the is-ought problem/naturalistic fallacy  evolved systems were not “designed” to do the jobs we need done…  …merely to effect their own reproduction. But neither is bio-inspiration is to be feared:  brewer’s yeast, workhorses, employees…

Seth Bullock, 2006 The “Nichiversal” Perspective A typical bio-inspired programe:  idealise an impressive biological system ANNs, GAs, AISs, etc. ANNs, GAs, AISs, etc.  demonstrate “universality” Turing equivalence, universal approximator, … Turing equivalence, universal approximator, …  solve some (toy) problems  repeat Instead: characterise a niche.