1. Introduction to Complexity Science Complex Nature

2. Seth Bullock, 2006 Natural Complexity

3. 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

4. Seth Bullock, 2006 Show DVD

5. 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: www.freeformconstruction.co.uk

6. 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.

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

8. 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…

9. Seth Bullock, 2006 Development

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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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…

14. 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.