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Complexity: The Emerging Science at the Edge of Order and Chaos
by M Mitchell Waldrop

Complexity: The Emerging Science at the Edge of Order and Chaos Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Why did the stock market crash more than 500 points on a single Monday in 1987? Why do ancient species often remain stable in the fossil record for millions of years and then suddenly disappear? In a world where nice guys often finish last, why do humans value trust and cooperation? At first glance these questions don't appear to have anything in common, but in fact every one of these statements refers to a complex system. The science of complexity studies how single elements, such as a species or a stock, spontaneously organize into complicated structures like ecosystems and economies; stars become galaxies, and snowflakes avalanches almost as if these systems were obeying a hidden yearning for order.

Drawing from diverse fields, scientific luminaries such as Nobel Laureates Murray Gell-Mann and Kenneth Arrow are studying complexity at a think tank called The Santa Fe Institute. The revolutionary new discoveries researchers have made there could change the face of every science from biology to cosmology to economics. M. Mitchell Waldrop's groundbreaking bestseller takes readers into the hearts and minds of these scientists to tell the story behind this scientific revolution as it unfolds.

Review:

Douglas R. Hofstadter

author of Götel, Esther, Bach

One comes away from Complexity both intellectually excited by ideas and emotionally involved with the people struggling to formulate them. This is a deep tale of science in the making.

Review:

The Washington Post

If you liked Chaos, you'll love Complexity. Waldrop creates the most exciting intellectual adventure story of the year.

Synopsis:

Science magazine reporter Waldrop introduces researchers--rebellious graduate students, Nobel laureates, and pragmatic businessmen--who are formulating surprising answers to complex questions about the universe. Line drawings.

Description:

Includes bibliographical references (p. [360]-363) and index.
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About the Author

M. Mitchell Waldrop has his doctorate in elementary particle physics and is the author of Man-Made Minds. He spent ten years as a senior writer for Science magazine, where he is now a contributing correspondent.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Visions of the Whole

1. The Irish Idea of a Hero

2. The Revolt of the Old Turks

3. Secrets of the Old One

4. "You Guys Really Believe That?"

5. Master of the Game

6. Life at the Edge of Chaos

7. Peasants Under Glass

8. Waiting for Carnot

9. Work in Progress

Bibliography

Acknowledgments

Index

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Product Details

ISBN:
9780671872342
Subtitle:
The Emerging Science at the Edge of Order and Chaos
Author:
Waldrop, M. Mitchell
Author:
Waldrop, M. Mitchell
Author:
Waldrop, Mitchell M.
Publisher:
Simon & Schuster
Location:
New York :
Subject:
General
Subject:
General science
Subject:
Science
Subject:
Physics
Subject:
Philosophy & Social Aspects
Subject:
Chaotic Behavior in Systems
Subject:
Complexity (philosophy)
Subject:
Order
Subject:
Complexity
Subject:
General Science
Copyright:
1992
Edition Number:
1st Touchstone ed.
Edition Description:
Trade paper
Series Volume:
154
Publication Date:
September 1993
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Yes
Pages:
384
Dimensions:
8.50x5.62x.93 in. .80 lbs.
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