Features of Complex Systems

2020 ◽  
pp. 63-86
Author(s):  
J. Ladyman ◽  
K. Wiesner
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Spontaneous Order ◽  
Adaptive Behaviour ◽  
History And Memory ◽  
Distinctive Features ◽  
Nested Structure ◽  
Self Organisation ◽  
Non Equilibrium

This chapter uses the representative examples of complex systems discussed in the previous chapter to arrive at a list of the distinctive features of complex systems. These features include numerosity; disorder and diversity; feedback; and non-equilibrium. The interesting thing about complex systems is that these conditions can give rise to the following products: spontaneous order and self-organisation; nonlinearity; robustness; nested structure and modularity; history and memory; and adaptive behaviour. Not all these features are present in all complex systems. Whenever any of the products are found in a system, they are the collective result of the conditions, but not all the products are found in all complex systems. Often products help produce other products — for example, memory is impossible without a degree of robustness, and adaptive behaviour can build nested structure and modularity. The chapter considers each of them in turn in more detail and assesses whether each is necessary and/or sufficient for complexity on any or some conceptions of what complex systems are.

scholarly journals Epidemic growth and Griffiths effects on an emergent network of excited atoms

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. Wintermantel ◽  
M. Buchhold ◽  
S. Shevate ◽  
M. Morgado ◽  
Y. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Power Laws ◽  
Excitation Density ◽  
Griffiths Phase ◽  
Many Body ◽  
Excited Atoms ◽  
Equilibrium Dynamics ◽  
Many Body Systems ◽  
Excitation Number ◽  
Non Equilibrium

AbstractWhether it be physical, biological or social processes, complex systems exhibit dynamics that are exceedingly difficult to understand or predict from underlying principles. Here we report a striking correspondence between the excitation dynamics of a laser driven gas of Rydberg atoms and the spreading of diseases, which in turn opens up a controllable platform for studying non-equilibrium dynamics on complex networks. The competition between facilitated excitation and spontaneous decay results in sub-exponential growth of the excitation number, which is empirically observed in real epidemics. Based on this we develop a quantitative microscopic susceptible-infected-susceptible model which links the growth and final excitation density to the dynamics of an emergent heterogeneous network and rare active region effects associated to an extended Griffiths phase. This provides physical insights into the nature of non-equilibrium criticality in driven many-body systems and the mechanisms leading to non-universal power-laws in the dynamics of complex systems.

Governance and Conceptual, Logical and Installed Architecture Alignment Using Work Products and Workflow

2009 ◽  
pp. 115-158
Author(s):  
Jay Ramanathan ◽  
Rajiv Ramnath
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Service Improvement ◽  
Service Evolution

Governance and related alignment methods for the management of complex systems are introduced here to facilitate and better decision making. The goal here is to increase re-use and agility. We also show how EA governance can leverage technologies like middleware and workflow to enable service evolution. The methods and work products of the previous Chapter 2 along with the following EA layers guide continual service improvement.

scholarly journals Transient dynamics in non-equilibrium complex systems

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diamantis Sellis
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Equilibrium Dynamics ◽  
Box Counting ◽  
Box Counting Dimension ◽  
Model Complex ◽  
The World ◽  
And Control ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Control Complex ◽  
Non Equilibrium

The dynamics of complex systems far from their equilibrium state are currently not fully understood. Besides the theoretical interest for better understanding the world around us this limitation has important practical implications to our ability to model, understand and therefore manage and control complex systems. In a first step to better understand the non- equilibrium dynamics and improve our ability to model complex systems I implement a cellular automaton model of gas mixing. I simulate the evolution towards equilibrium starting from a state of macroscopic order and as the system evolves I calculate the Kolmogorov complexity, the information entropy and the box-counting dimension of the system. I observe a transient peak in complexity, entropy and fractality of the system. To test the genericity of this pattern I implement a very different model, the game of life, where I find the same statistical patterns.

scholarly journals Complex leadership as a way forward for transformational missional leadership in a denominational structure

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J.P. Niemandt
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Missional Leadership ◽  
Missional Ecclesiology ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Self Organisation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Dutch Reformed Church

The research investigates the role of leadership in the transformation of denominational structures towards a missional ecclesiology, and focusses on the Highveld Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church. It describes the missional journey of the denomination, and interprets the transformation. The theory of ‘complex leadership’ in complex systems is applied to the investigation of the impact of leadership on a denominational structure. The theory identifies three mechanisms used by leaders as enablers in emergent, self-organisation systems: (1) Leaders disrupt existing patterns, (2) they encourage novelty, and (3) they act as sensemakers. These insights are applied as a tool to interpret the missional transformation of a denomination.

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